ASRA Pain Medicine Update

The first member spotlight for 2025 features Swathi Rayasam, MD, who was nominated by Crystal Joseph, MD. Dr. Rayasam is an anesthesiology resident physician at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and currently serves as the Education Subcommittee co-chair for ASRA Pain Medicine’s Resident and Fellow Committee (RFC), focusing on education initiatives for trainees within ASRA Pain Medicine. Within the Education Subcommittee, she spearheads the problem-based learning discussion (PBLD) series, a major education opportunity for trainees. Previously, Dr. Rayasam served as the RFC’s Medical Student Section co-chair. Additionally, Dr. Rayasam has co-authored PBLDs and been a poster presenter at ASRA Pain Medicine meetings. She has also led the Trainee Quiz Bowl, a popular and well-attended event at the spring and fall ASRA Pain Medicine meetings. Dr. Joseph commented, “We are delighted to have her be so involved within our RFC, dedicating her time to advancing trainee educational opportunities!” You can learn more about Dr. Rayasam below.

How and when did you get involved with ASRA Pain Medicine?

I was introduced to ASRA Pain Medicine as a fourth-year medical student. Since then, I have gotten more involved in the organization through the Resident and Fellow Committee and the Mentor Match Program where I served as both a mentor and mentee in this program. Recently, I have been exploring some of ASRA Pain Medicine’s unique special interest groups (SIGs) that are of interest to me, including the Global Health SIG.

Do you feel that your work with ASRA Pain Medicine has had an impact on your career and if so, how?

ASRA Pain Medicine has given me an avenue to make invaluable connections in the field. Mentorship, leadership positions, and publishing opportunities are some of the benefits I have received from being involved with this organization.

What leadership positions have you held in the field of regional anesthesia and pain medicine?

I served as the ASRA Pain Medicine RFC Medical Student Section co-chair in 2023-2024. I am currently serving as the ASRA Pain Medicine RFC Education Subcommittee co-chair and co-organized the RFC Trainee Quiz Bowl at the 2024 fall meeting in Las Vegas. In addition, I am involved with the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s Innovation SIG and spearheaded the development of the annual event newsletters.

What has been your proudest career moment? What other professional accomplishments would you like to highlight?

I graduated from Rice University with my BA in kinesiology and earned my medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, where I am currently a CA1/PGY2 anesthesiology resident.

Previously, I served as events chair of the Women in Anesthesiology Medical Student Component and served as an American Society of Anesthesiologists delegate to my medical school.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work and why?

Outside of work, I love to travel, visit museums, read novels, and spend time with family and friends.