History of the Anesthesia Department at Mercy Medical Center
Philip C. Stillman, MD
June 24, 2004
William H. Moon, MD, the founder of the anesthesiology department at Mercy Medical Center, was the first board-
certified anesthesiologist to practice in the North State. When he arrived in 1956, nurse anesthetists and primary care
physicians were administering open drop ether. Bill was encouraged to come here from UC San Francisco (the first of
many from UCSF) by Bill Sandrock and Lou Nash.
General practitioners Joe DeWitte and Norm Woolf worked with Bill for several years until he could recruit a
second anesthesiologist. Joseph T. DeWitte, MD “knocked them out” in the early 60’s and still remembers his first
case – a Peterson dental case – the first nasal intubation he’d ever done! Joe still hangs around the OR telling great
hunting stories and working as a very capable surgical assistant. He is transitioning to retirement in rural Hobson,
Montana. Norman Woolf, MD retired from a thriving general practice (with a bit of anesthesia on the side) in 1975 to
become the director of a new family practice residency program at Shasta General Hospital (which became the Shasta
Cascade Program and now the Mercy Redding FP Residency Program). He was kind, compassionate and well read,
a consummate family physician. Before Norm passed away five years ago, he bequeathed his "black bag" (which
included an ether screen) to Phil Stillman.
Bill Moon's first case, on August 15th, was a pulmonary lobectomy using a balanced technique with succinylcholine
drip. He used Ohio and Foregger anesthetic machines (one which “belonged in a museum”), with manual ventilation.
“Sux drips” and curare were used for muscle relaxation. Monitoring was done using a “finger on the pulse”, a manual
blood pressure cuff, and by watching the patient’s color (blue was bad). Later came the cardioscope, then ventilators,
and in the modern era, pulse oximetry. Bill worked at Mercy for thirty-four years and oversaw a revolution in the
practice of anesthesiology.
The elder Dr. Moon recruited a number of anesthesiologists to the department, but his greatest contribution was
providing his son, Brian, who is the current chief of the anesthesia section.
*****
The first anesthesiologist to join Bill was Gordon Dean, MD. Coming from Travis Air Force Base Hospital in 1959,
Gordon introduced Bill to halothane, the prototype anesthesia "gas.” It was a godsend, especially for inhalation
inductions in children and for the PACU nurses (ether made nearly everyone vomit). Gordon moved to Tacoma after
seven years in practice here.
Norman R. Hillmer, MD arrived in 1961 and practiced here for seventeen years. Norm was ”a super-conscientious
and capable gasser” whose work ethic was nearly Crockett-esque. His most famous case was a choledocholithotomy
under neurolept anesthesia (Innovar) on Lou Nash. Norm lived to hunt and would drive up to foggy Tule Lake in his
camouflaged Dodge crew cab with mudder tires, dig a “blind” in the marsh (you froze in your own sweat), do his goose
calling and then blast ‘em with his 12-gauge shotgun. He eventually moved to Lander, Wyoming for better hunting, and
in fact, he’s going goose hunting with Joe DeWitte this September!
The next anesthesiologist on the scene was Gerald Davis, MD. Gerry served in the Air Force with Joe DeWitte in
Tachikawa, Japan and followed him to Redding. He provided anesthesia for Joe’s daughter’s eye surgery on two
continents, in Asia and here in North America with Rush Blodget. Gerry was a great guy and loved to give away his
late afternoon cases to Crockett. He practiced with Bill, Norm, Quin and Dennis until he tragically suffered a cardiac
dysrhythmia at his cornfield and died suddenly in 1971. CPR was in its infancy and might have saved him.
We should also mention Harry T. Tully, MD, a pioneer at Memorial Hospital (now RMC), who occasionally
administered anesthesia at Mercy. Harry helped set up the first ICU in Redding and arranged the purchase of the area's
first blood gas machine. He worked with the likes of surgeons Bill Sandrock, Bill Weirich and Lou Nash.
*****
In April of 1966, Bill Moon recruited Dennis G. Crockett, MD to the department. Dennis is the oldest practicing
anesthesiologist in the North State, still going strong at age 67. He has contributed greatly to the field, especially in the
areas of regional anesthesia, airway management and teaching. He’s called the “Iron Man” because he worked insane
hours, never complained, took hoards of extra call, and worked even when deathly ill. We had to send him home once
because he was retching uncontrollably in the OR and it made the surgeon nervous. Dennis is also called “Rocket
Crockett” because he works so fast; he is legendary for having one patient under anesthesia even before he signed the
consent! The Rocket is already “officially” retired (party and everything) but lost his shirt in the stock market so is
back in the saddle again. That’s 38 years in practice and counting!
*****
In the 70’s, Bill and Dennis recruited Quin Hauss, Randy Smith, Dick Yoder, Bob Hajny, and Weradej Tirawat to
practice in Redding. These clinicians formed the nucleus of an expanding anesthesia group to meet the surgical
demands of a new era. All five of these colleagues have retired.
Quincy R. Hauss, MD practiced at Mercy for twenty-one years. Quin was the first of many from the University of
Michigan, where he attended medical school and completed his anesthesia residency. When he came here, the
anesthesia machines had small cylinders for oxygen and nitrous oxide (no wall gas supply), wick vaporizers for ether
and cyclopropane tanks. Quin was the musical genius of the group, playing violin in the Redding Symphony Orchestra
and serving as president of the Founder’s Board. He was a conscientious anesthesiologist and skilled Cessna and
Piper pilot, appreciating many similarities between the two. Even today, people remember his reassuring, soft spoken
and gentle manner with patients. Quin loved to give his call to Crockett and is remembered for coming to one crash C-
section in his PJ’s and slippers. He left in 1992 for semi-retirement in San Luis Obispo, where he has been doing
outpatient surgery. Quin officially retires on June 26th after a total of forty years in practice.
Randall R. Smith, MD was recruited in 1974 from Michigan medical school and UCSF residency. He worked
briefly at Memorial Hospital before leaving for Sacramento to join a group of anesthesiologists and other physicians
who spearheaded California’s medical liability reform. He helped organize the doctors’ “strike” which brought
Governor Jerry Brown to the table. The result was the establishment of a series of statutes known as the Medical
Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), which is a stellar model for the nation to this day. In his practice of
anesthesiology at Mercy for twenty years, Randy’s legacy is as the exceptional leader of our department. He served
also as Chief of Staff and almost single-handedly rewrote the MMC bylaws, making them more straightforward and
concise. Retiring in 1998, Randy is very active in the community, serving on the Redding Planning Commission, as
chairman of Redding Rotary Environmental Committee, and on the boards of the Mercy Foundation and the Cascade
Capital Campaign.
A few months later, Richard D. Yoder, MD was recruited from UC San Diego. Dick was the engineer-
anesthesiologist (nerd), very interested in computer applications and he even formed a company, Shasta Logic, to
market his inventions. His main product is “Clini-Calc”, a program used on a handheld device to help anesthesiologists
with drug dosages, fluid and blood replacement and billing (call 800-234-9086 for details). Dick loved the outdoors
and he and Molly Wood would organize nighttime Lassen Peak hikes for the whole OR. Dick worked for 25 years in
the department before retiring to split his time between Redding and Nisswa, Minnesota (yes, Ole, it’s on a lake alright).
In 1979, Robert G. Hajny, MD, an anesthesia classmate of Randy’s at UCSF, joined the troops. Bob was an
enormously popular anesthesiologist and was known for his competence, kindness and leadership. He was a master at
giving epidural anesthetics and if you don’t have a uterus, you probably had it out with him by your side! Bob served
as the Section Chief and also on Medical and Surgical Executive Committees. As a fitting tribute, the staff at Mercy
voted for him to be “Physician of the Year” in 1996. In addition, the “Bob Hajny Break Room” in the main operating
room is named in his honor. Bob retired in 2001 and now splits his time between Portland and Bend, Oregon.
Next to join the department was Weradej Tirawat, MD. Dr. Tirawat was best known for his wake up call in the
PACU, yelling “Open Your Eye, Party Over!” to arouse his patients. He was always joking around in the OR and was
an inveterate gambler, playing cards in Las Vegas whenever he could. He was also extremely adept at “dealing” out
his call to Crockett. A political refugee from Thailand, Tirawat worked here for 12 years before returning to his home
country to enter politics. He is currently the Thailand chapter chairperson for the Thai Physicians Association of
America.
*****
Paul J. Pabst, MD came here out of residency at UCSF in 1982. After only six months, he left with great fanfare for
San Diego, but then returned to Mercy to work for another seven years. He rode his bike to work in his high school
vintage tennis shoes (looking like a hobo), only to assume strict professionalism in scrubs. The nurses called him “cutie
pie” but there was nothing cute about his horrific handwriting (still better than Crockett’s, though). He was a superb
anesthesiologist and a loss to the department when he left for the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where he
works today.
Philip C. Stillman, MD joined the department from the University of Michigan in 1989. A former family physician,
Phil served as director of the family practice anesthesia clerkship. He introduced the laryngeal mask airway to the
North State, was an early member of the heart team and wrote several publications. In his spare time, he formed two
companies, one that created study cards for the oral board exam in anesthesia, and the other marketing software for
the now defunct Newton personal digital assistant. In the community, he and Siggie were founding members of
Redding Christian School. Phil took a sabbatical year to work in San Jose for a dot-com (which went bankrupt) and
has served recently as department chairman. Phil is leaving us this month to join a large anesthesia group in Los Gatos
(Silicon Valley, geeking out again!).
Theodore E. Workman, MD, another University of Michigan med school graduate, joined the group from the faculty
at the University of Arizona. The first cardiac subspecialist in the group, Thad was recruited here to establish the
anesthesia portion of Mercy’s new cardiac surgery program. Thad was the founding president of Shasta Anesthesia
Consultants (SAC), the independent group that has provided the bulk of anesthesia services at Mercy since 1992. In
the hospital, some nurses called him “Crockett Junior” because he caused them the same kind of grief as “The
Rocket.” Thad served as section chief and on Med Exec. He has been in the forefront of chronic pain management at
the hospital and currently practices at Apogee Outpatient Surgery Center in Redding. In the real world he coaches the
Shasta High School snowboard team and is an assistant scoutmaster.
Arriving about the same time was Thomas J. Cramer, MD, who trained with Phil at Michigan. Tom is a
conservative anesthesiologist, for example, he was the last in the group to use our newest inhalation agent, sevoflurane.
While he would never whine about it, he is also (perhaps unfairly) saddled with the moniker “Cancelin’ Cramer”
because of his propensity for caution. Tom is not cautious in leadership, however, and has been a huge asset to the
group. He was prescient in buying 63 acres on a hill not far from the hospital. He and Gayle lived in a mobile home
while building an exquisite palace on the mountaintop, where they have hosted many a memorable evening. It has not
been without hazards, however, for example, Tom “lost” his car that was parked in his driveway. He discovered that,
with the parking break not set, it had rolled off the driveway and down the steep incline into the manzanitas, a total
wreck.
A friend of Thad’s, Paul J. Scipione, MD was recruited from a faculty position at Arizona in late 1990. A specialist
in obstetrical anesthesia, Paul was responsible for setting up our most excellent labor epidural service. Since the
inception of SAC, he has been in charge of anesthesia scheduling. He has also served capably as SAC President,
Department Chairman, Chief of Surgery and on many committees. In essence, Paul has been for many years the “de
facto” leader of the pack, and we call him “Papa SAC”. Paul is well known for speaking his mind and “is never one
for the understatement”. One nurse aptly described him as “a gruff exterior with a heart of gold.” Paul unfortunately
suffered a stroke in 2002 and has been practicing as a consultant since that time. His wife, Curly, works with many of
us as the Riverside Eye Center and the Scipiones have hosted myriad meetings and events at their home.
*****
With the addition of obstetrical services, the cardiac program and expansion to the new Mercy Outpatient Surgery
Center, the anesthesia department recruited several excellent new candidates. John Lubben, Carl Koutnik, Nancy
Nussmeier and Doug Mandel were all outstanding additions to the department.
John R. Lubben, MD was recruited from Washington University and Stanford in 1990. When he first arrived he
was known by everyone as “Doogie Howser” and was never without his lunch pail. He served capably as the first
CFO of SAC and did much of the work to get the group up and running. John is the group’s “Internet hound” and
loves to use the laryngeal mask airway for every case possible. He has for several years served as a lay pastor in a
small church in Redding. John left the hospital this year to work at Patient’s Hospital, where he is overjoyed not to be
taking as much call.
Carl J. Koutnik, MD was another recruit from the University of Arizona, fellowship trained in both cardiac and
neuroanesthesia. Carl has always been a favorite of the surgeons and staff because of his excellent clinical skills and his
wonderful sense of humor. He’s everyone’s favorite storyteller and is also good at making balloon animals for the
kiddies. He is renowned for having his patients under general anesthesia “talk” to surgeons during cases. Carl served
as an early member of the heart team and as President of SAC. He retired from hospital practice this year to pursue
full-time chronic pain management with Leonard Soloniuk.
Recruited from the faculty at UCSF, Nancy A. Nussmeier, MD came with her husband, John McDermott, to start
the cardiac surgery program at Mercy. Nancy taught the heart team members how to use transesophageal
echocardiography and took a seven-year pause from academia to work half time as a clinician and raise her young
family. Nonetheless, she remained very active in academic pursuits, performing several research studies at Mercy and
serving as a prominent member of the Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia (McSPI) CNS Subgroup. She was
the only member of our group who could manage twenty phone calls during a routine tonsillectomy. Nancy left in 1999
to become the Director of Cardiovascular Anesthesia Research at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. She is
internationally recognized for her work on cerebral protection during cardiac surgery.
Douglas K. Mandel, MD was invited to join the group in late 1992. He studied chemical engineering at Cal before
going into medicine and he arrived here from Dartmouth in New Hampshire. Seeking an excellent anesthesia group in a
rural setting, Doug fit in well as a “mountain man” with sound clinical skills and droll sense of humor. “Doctor Mandel,
Department of Anesthesia” was a member of the heart team, served as CFO for SAC and has been the Pharmacy
liaison for as long as Gus Faure can remember. Through some help from members of the hospital staff, Doug was
introduced to Sue Parry, a nutritionist, and they have been happily married ever since. Doug is becoming a “certified
master gardener” and is exploring ways to incorporate that into his future plans. He is also going to publish his book
relating his experiences hiking from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean.
Two short-term members of the department should be mentioned at this juncture. Duane Menefee joined the
department in 1993 but worked for only several months before leaving for Chico, where he recently served as Chief of
Staff at Enloe. Charlie Evans came to the department about the same time, but he had to leave after several months
because of a medical condition precluding our demanding call schedule. He is currently practicing at Kaiser Santa
Rosa.
*****
In early 1994, both Denise Bogard and Dan Goodman joined the department.
Denise R. Bogard, MD came from the UC Irvine program and was a very colorful addition to the group. A former
CRNA who then went to medical school and residency to become an MD anesthesiologist, Denise was superb
clinically and had an engaging personality. She suffered the death of her husband while working here and worked full-
time as a single mom. She has been active in the California Society of Anesthesiologists, especially in the campaign to
limit the scope of practice of CRNAs. Denise left the department in 2001 to work in the Sacramento area and she
currently practices at Sutter Roseville.
Yet another anesthesiologist from the University of Michigan, Daniel M. Goodman, MD joined the department in
early 1994. Working with a style often described as frenetic, Dan’s intense energy in the OR is nothing compared to
his tremendous abilities as a “biker dude”. When Dan fell off his mountain bike, breaking his neck, rather than quit the
sport he started riding more with Tom Thomas (and that’s by definition over the edge). If you catch Dan, he is either
coming from or going to the gym. We recently discovered that he sometimes paints his toenails.
The hiring of Thomas C. Thomas, MD brought to Redding a brilliant and much loved anesthesiologist, and a top-flight
athlete. A graduate of UCSF, Tom was working in the East Bay before coming to Redding. He is the “Leo Buscaglia”
of the OR, giving hugs to nearly everyone, some of us too afraid to hug back because we might re-break one of his
bones! An avid mountain biker, climber and tri-athlete, Tom has endured twelve orthopedic surgeries and thinks
climbing Mt. Shasta is a walk in the park. The group would like to put a governor (< 30 mph) on his bike’s rear wheel
to restrict his “adventure biking”, especially with Mike Simpson. Thomas2 works on the heart team, has served as
department chairman and on many committees.
*****
With the retirements of Yoder, Smith and Hajny, the anesthesia department once again needed to recruit. Over the
next two years John Stewart, Brian Moon, Ramon deLeon, Mike Gasman and Dave Mahoney joined forces. These
clinicians were a great testimony to the continued excellence of the department.
John C. Stewart, MD came to us from Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. John replaced Dick Yoder as the
consummate engineer, interested in the intricacies of everything and boasting more extracurricular toys (4x4’s,
motorcycles, airplane, power boat, sailboat, bobcat, dump truck) than the rest of us put together. (Some people think
that his house is a Rent-A-Center.) John is loved for his “well, whatever” attitude and his unique viewpoints and sense
humor. He was “Johnny on the Spot” rescuing his airplane everywhere John Lange grounded it, even Mexico. He has
been a diligent recruiter and has served as President of SAC. He is a very snappy dresser, wearing a tee shirt, Levi’s
and curled up tennis shoes to even formal events.
Brian W. Moon, MD was offered a position not because of nepotism and ties to the community, but because he was
a superb candidate, and he has proven to be a tremendous asset to the group. Brian’s first career was as an air traffic
controller in Fremont, which controls flight paths for SFO and the entire Bay Area. That helps him with the flighty
personalities in the OR. After his anesthesia residency at USC (voted outstanding resident), Brian has settled in here
and has been known to kick his shoes off in the OR and sit cross-legged on the anesthesia chair (yoga-anesthesia?).
A native of the Philippines, Ramon V. deLeon, MD came to us from New England Medical Center in Boston. A
gymnast in his early days, and an internist after that, Ramon is precise and thorough and has been a valued member of
the department, including the heart team. Ramon’s other job is being a “slum lord” and once he gets ten rentals, he
wants to cut back on call. Let him dream on… On the dance floor, Ramon can dazzle the crowds and in the OR his
greatest love is playing with airway toys, especially the Bullard scope.
Michael A. Gasman, MD (perfect name for an anesthesiologist!) joined us from Patient’s Hospital in 2000. Like
Brian, Mike is originally from Redding and has tremendous ties to the community. The “Gas-Man” is a bit of a
computer geek and is the only one in the department who can handle his own billing. We wonder about Mike because
he carries a “Light Wand” wherever he goes (Cramer says in his wallet) and lights up many an airway. Mike is famous
for his “Gas Brew” homemade beer.
David R. Mahoney, MD was recruited from a practice in Wisconsin and brought experience and a great disposition
to the group. Another member of the heart team, Dave is the consummate “team player” and loves his airplane, his 5:
30 exercise routine and his triplets (not in that order). Dave had to give up his plane but has used the positive cash flow
“constructively”, to build a gazebo and pool house. No one likes to do add-on cases, but Dave will do anything for
blackberry cobbler.
*****
Around the turn of the century (this really does sound like a true history now!), the department had a number of
clinicians who were short-timers.
Brian Williams was recruited to the practice but he and his wife were homesick for Cleveland (this is a true story!)
so they moved back there.
James Rockefeller came in mid-2000, loved the fishing and golf here, but eventually left for a more lucrative practice
in Albuquerque. Ken Brown came over from Patient’s Hospital and worked here for just a few months before going
to San Diego. Jeff Galland was here for eight months but eventually returned to the inland empire and is now
practicing in Paradise.
Stephen R. Aufderheide, MD (Dr. Steve) was an extraordinary addition to our group. He was first a paramedic,
then a nurse, and then a physician, graduating at the top of his class at Johns Hopkins. His initial case in the heart room
is the stuff of legend – so bad that we thought he would quit after his first day. Steve was an avid kayaker and
whitewater rafter, lusting after Class 4 rapids. He left us this year to join a group in Eugene, Oregon.
Edward J. Frink, MD came to us from Hershey, Pennsylvania in late 2002. Ed was a respected and well-liked
member of our group and his anesthesiologist wife, Pam, worked at Patient’s Hospital. According to several nurses,
Ed always “smelled great” and he was constantly wandering around sipping a grande cappuccino. Ed and Pam left this
year for, of all places, Lander, Wyoming, the same place where Norm Hillmer retired. Maybe he can go hunting with
Joe DeWitte, too!
David C. Ho, MD was recruited in 2003 from the University of North Carolina where he was in the top of his class.
Dave earned his boards in internal medicine before transitioning to anesthesia. Now as an “internist in the OR”, Dave is
the newest member of the heart team and a great addition to our department. Poor Dave has experienced nothing but
turmoil in our group since he arrived (although we try not to blame it on him). He just recently passed his anesthesia
oral boards with flying colors. The nurses all say he is “sweet” and a joy to work with. He brings a musical genius with
him, his wife Lisa, an accomplished concert violinist. Quin Hauss definitely approves!
*****
This brings us to June of 2004. This chapter of anesthesia at Mercy is now “in the books” and we look forward to
new anesthesia adventures as the future unfolds.
This begins the dark days of Shasta Anesthesia Consultants. Coincident with turmoil across town at Redding
Medical Center (Google Redding Medical Center and FBI) an acrimonious 12-18 month period began with the
administration of Mercy Medical Center. A full description would require many hours and many beers to fully
describe. The short story is 6 of our docs quit (Aufderheide/Frink/Mahoney/Lubben/Koutnik/Stillman) The hospital
went through a period of many expensive locum tenens physicians. A long period of negotiation concluded with a
rapprochement. Recruiting resumed. Zach Lipman, Paul Wang, and Gordon Heminway joined us at this time. Zach
moved from Rochester NY bought a Harley and Kawasaki Dual sport motorcycle and is our current Iron Man. Paul
joined us from residency an PENN. After passing his boards we promptly dumped scheduling on him where he
currently serves. Gordon Heminway left Indianapolis to found a Cardiac Anesthesia Service in rural Mississippi.
After a couple of years in Mississippi he was enticed to join us in Redding. After doing essentially 100% cardiac for
many years we put him to work in OB, Ortho, Peds etc. Once he remastered everything but cardiac he joined our
cardiac service.
Shaun Echols practiced many years on the Coast. After 10+ years of clouds and cold he missed the sun and moved
across the mountains to join us.
Jonathan Barrows moved across the train tracks. He formerly practiced with our colleagues across town (see turmoil
across town) He flys and is working on instrument rating. He has a couple of motorcycles and he might be the buffest
doc we have. His experience includes volunteer New Orleans hurricane physician
2004 by Philip C. Stillman, MD. Thanks to Bill Moon, Dennis Crockett and Joe DeWitte for filling in details about
the “olden days” and to Jenny Pierce and Reesa Gwaltney in the Medical Staff Office for dates and many other details.
Philip C. Stillman, MD
June 24, 2004
William H. Moon, MD, the founder of the anesthesiology department at Mercy Medical Center, was the first board-
certified anesthesiologist to practice in the North State. When he arrived in 1956, nurse anesthetists and primary care
physicians were administering open drop ether. Bill was encouraged to come here from UC San Francisco (the first of
many from UCSF) by Bill Sandrock and Lou Nash.
General practitioners Joe DeWitte and Norm Woolf worked with Bill for several years until he could recruit a
second anesthesiologist. Joseph T. DeWitte, MD “knocked them out” in the early 60’s and still remembers his first
case – a Peterson dental case – the first nasal intubation he’d ever done! Joe still hangs around the OR telling great
hunting stories and working as a very capable surgical assistant. He is transitioning to retirement in rural Hobson,
Montana. Norman Woolf, MD retired from a thriving general practice (with a bit of anesthesia on the side) in 1975 to
become the director of a new family practice residency program at Shasta General Hospital (which became the Shasta
Cascade Program and now the Mercy Redding FP Residency Program). He was kind, compassionate and well read,
a consummate family physician. Before Norm passed away five years ago, he bequeathed his "black bag" (which
included an ether screen) to Phil Stillman.
Bill Moon's first case, on August 15th, was a pulmonary lobectomy using a balanced technique with succinylcholine
drip. He used Ohio and Foregger anesthetic machines (one which “belonged in a museum”), with manual ventilation.
“Sux drips” and curare were used for muscle relaxation. Monitoring was done using a “finger on the pulse”, a manual
blood pressure cuff, and by watching the patient’s color (blue was bad). Later came the cardioscope, then ventilators,
and in the modern era, pulse oximetry. Bill worked at Mercy for thirty-four years and oversaw a revolution in the
practice of anesthesiology.
The elder Dr. Moon recruited a number of anesthesiologists to the department, but his greatest contribution was
providing his son, Brian, who is the current chief of the anesthesia section.
*****
The first anesthesiologist to join Bill was Gordon Dean, MD. Coming from Travis Air Force Base Hospital in 1959,
Gordon introduced Bill to halothane, the prototype anesthesia "gas.” It was a godsend, especially for inhalation
inductions in children and for the PACU nurses (ether made nearly everyone vomit). Gordon moved to Tacoma after
seven years in practice here.
Norman R. Hillmer, MD arrived in 1961 and practiced here for seventeen years. Norm was ”a super-conscientious
and capable gasser” whose work ethic was nearly Crockett-esque. His most famous case was a choledocholithotomy
under neurolept anesthesia (Innovar) on Lou Nash. Norm lived to hunt and would drive up to foggy Tule Lake in his
camouflaged Dodge crew cab with mudder tires, dig a “blind” in the marsh (you froze in your own sweat), do his goose
calling and then blast ‘em with his 12-gauge shotgun. He eventually moved to Lander, Wyoming for better hunting, and
in fact, he’s going goose hunting with Joe DeWitte this September!
The next anesthesiologist on the scene was Gerald Davis, MD. Gerry served in the Air Force with Joe DeWitte in
Tachikawa, Japan and followed him to Redding. He provided anesthesia for Joe’s daughter’s eye surgery on two
continents, in Asia and here in North America with Rush Blodget. Gerry was a great guy and loved to give away his
late afternoon cases to Crockett. He practiced with Bill, Norm, Quin and Dennis until he tragically suffered a cardiac
dysrhythmia at his cornfield and died suddenly in 1971. CPR was in its infancy and might have saved him.
We should also mention Harry T. Tully, MD, a pioneer at Memorial Hospital (now RMC), who occasionally
administered anesthesia at Mercy. Harry helped set up the first ICU in Redding and arranged the purchase of the area's
first blood gas machine. He worked with the likes of surgeons Bill Sandrock, Bill Weirich and Lou Nash.
*****
In April of 1966, Bill Moon recruited Dennis G. Crockett, MD to the department. Dennis is the oldest practicing
anesthesiologist in the North State, still going strong at age 67. He has contributed greatly to the field, especially in the
areas of regional anesthesia, airway management and teaching. He’s called the “Iron Man” because he worked insane
hours, never complained, took hoards of extra call, and worked even when deathly ill. We had to send him home once
because he was retching uncontrollably in the OR and it made the surgeon nervous. Dennis is also called “Rocket
Crockett” because he works so fast; he is legendary for having one patient under anesthesia even before he signed the
consent! The Rocket is already “officially” retired (party and everything) but lost his shirt in the stock market so is
back in the saddle again. That’s 38 years in practice and counting!
*****
In the 70’s, Bill and Dennis recruited Quin Hauss, Randy Smith, Dick Yoder, Bob Hajny, and Weradej Tirawat to
practice in Redding. These clinicians formed the nucleus of an expanding anesthesia group to meet the surgical
demands of a new era. All five of these colleagues have retired.
Quincy R. Hauss, MD practiced at Mercy for twenty-one years. Quin was the first of many from the University of
Michigan, where he attended medical school and completed his anesthesia residency. When he came here, the
anesthesia machines had small cylinders for oxygen and nitrous oxide (no wall gas supply), wick vaporizers for ether
and cyclopropane tanks. Quin was the musical genius of the group, playing violin in the Redding Symphony Orchestra
and serving as president of the Founder’s Board. He was a conscientious anesthesiologist and skilled Cessna and
Piper pilot, appreciating many similarities between the two. Even today, people remember his reassuring, soft spoken
and gentle manner with patients. Quin loved to give his call to Crockett and is remembered for coming to one crash C-
section in his PJ’s and slippers. He left in 1992 for semi-retirement in San Luis Obispo, where he has been doing
outpatient surgery. Quin officially retires on June 26th after a total of forty years in practice.
Randall R. Smith, MD was recruited in 1974 from Michigan medical school and UCSF residency. He worked
briefly at Memorial Hospital before leaving for Sacramento to join a group of anesthesiologists and other physicians
who spearheaded California’s medical liability reform. He helped organize the doctors’ “strike” which brought
Governor Jerry Brown to the table. The result was the establishment of a series of statutes known as the Medical
Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), which is a stellar model for the nation to this day. In his practice of
anesthesiology at Mercy for twenty years, Randy’s legacy is as the exceptional leader of our department. He served
also as Chief of Staff and almost single-handedly rewrote the MMC bylaws, making them more straightforward and
concise. Retiring in 1998, Randy is very active in the community, serving on the Redding Planning Commission, as
chairman of Redding Rotary Environmental Committee, and on the boards of the Mercy Foundation and the Cascade
Capital Campaign.
A few months later, Richard D. Yoder, MD was recruited from UC San Diego. Dick was the engineer-
anesthesiologist (nerd), very interested in computer applications and he even formed a company, Shasta Logic, to
market his inventions. His main product is “Clini-Calc”, a program used on a handheld device to help anesthesiologists
with drug dosages, fluid and blood replacement and billing (call 800-234-9086 for details). Dick loved the outdoors
and he and Molly Wood would organize nighttime Lassen Peak hikes for the whole OR. Dick worked for 25 years in
the department before retiring to split his time between Redding and Nisswa, Minnesota (yes, Ole, it’s on a lake alright).
In 1979, Robert G. Hajny, MD, an anesthesia classmate of Randy’s at UCSF, joined the troops. Bob was an
enormously popular anesthesiologist and was known for his competence, kindness and leadership. He was a master at
giving epidural anesthetics and if you don’t have a uterus, you probably had it out with him by your side! Bob served
as the Section Chief and also on Medical and Surgical Executive Committees. As a fitting tribute, the staff at Mercy
voted for him to be “Physician of the Year” in 1996. In addition, the “Bob Hajny Break Room” in the main operating
room is named in his honor. Bob retired in 2001 and now splits his time between Portland and Bend, Oregon.
Next to join the department was Weradej Tirawat, MD. Dr. Tirawat was best known for his wake up call in the
PACU, yelling “Open Your Eye, Party Over!” to arouse his patients. He was always joking around in the OR and was
an inveterate gambler, playing cards in Las Vegas whenever he could. He was also extremely adept at “dealing” out
his call to Crockett. A political refugee from Thailand, Tirawat worked here for 12 years before returning to his home
country to enter politics. He is currently the Thailand chapter chairperson for the Thai Physicians Association of
America.
*****
Paul J. Pabst, MD came here out of residency at UCSF in 1982. After only six months, he left with great fanfare for
San Diego, but then returned to Mercy to work for another seven years. He rode his bike to work in his high school
vintage tennis shoes (looking like a hobo), only to assume strict professionalism in scrubs. The nurses called him “cutie
pie” but there was nothing cute about his horrific handwriting (still better than Crockett’s, though). He was a superb
anesthesiologist and a loss to the department when he left for the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where he
works today.
Philip C. Stillman, MD joined the department from the University of Michigan in 1989. A former family physician,
Phil served as director of the family practice anesthesia clerkship. He introduced the laryngeal mask airway to the
North State, was an early member of the heart team and wrote several publications. In his spare time, he formed two
companies, one that created study cards for the oral board exam in anesthesia, and the other marketing software for
the now defunct Newton personal digital assistant. In the community, he and Siggie were founding members of
Redding Christian School. Phil took a sabbatical year to work in San Jose for a dot-com (which went bankrupt) and
has served recently as department chairman. Phil is leaving us this month to join a large anesthesia group in Los Gatos
(Silicon Valley, geeking out again!).
Theodore E. Workman, MD, another University of Michigan med school graduate, joined the group from the faculty
at the University of Arizona. The first cardiac subspecialist in the group, Thad was recruited here to establish the
anesthesia portion of Mercy’s new cardiac surgery program. Thad was the founding president of Shasta Anesthesia
Consultants (SAC), the independent group that has provided the bulk of anesthesia services at Mercy since 1992. In
the hospital, some nurses called him “Crockett Junior” because he caused them the same kind of grief as “The
Rocket.” Thad served as section chief and on Med Exec. He has been in the forefront of chronic pain management at
the hospital and currently practices at Apogee Outpatient Surgery Center in Redding. In the real world he coaches the
Shasta High School snowboard team and is an assistant scoutmaster.
Arriving about the same time was Thomas J. Cramer, MD, who trained with Phil at Michigan. Tom is a
conservative anesthesiologist, for example, he was the last in the group to use our newest inhalation agent, sevoflurane.
While he would never whine about it, he is also (perhaps unfairly) saddled with the moniker “Cancelin’ Cramer”
because of his propensity for caution. Tom is not cautious in leadership, however, and has been a huge asset to the
group. He was prescient in buying 63 acres on a hill not far from the hospital. He and Gayle lived in a mobile home
while building an exquisite palace on the mountaintop, where they have hosted many a memorable evening. It has not
been without hazards, however, for example, Tom “lost” his car that was parked in his driveway. He discovered that,
with the parking break not set, it had rolled off the driveway and down the steep incline into the manzanitas, a total
wreck.
A friend of Thad’s, Paul J. Scipione, MD was recruited from a faculty position at Arizona in late 1990. A specialist
in obstetrical anesthesia, Paul was responsible for setting up our most excellent labor epidural service. Since the
inception of SAC, he has been in charge of anesthesia scheduling. He has also served capably as SAC President,
Department Chairman, Chief of Surgery and on many committees. In essence, Paul has been for many years the “de
facto” leader of the pack, and we call him “Papa SAC”. Paul is well known for speaking his mind and “is never one
for the understatement”. One nurse aptly described him as “a gruff exterior with a heart of gold.” Paul unfortunately
suffered a stroke in 2002 and has been practicing as a consultant since that time. His wife, Curly, works with many of
us as the Riverside Eye Center and the Scipiones have hosted myriad meetings and events at their home.
*****
With the addition of obstetrical services, the cardiac program and expansion to the new Mercy Outpatient Surgery
Center, the anesthesia department recruited several excellent new candidates. John Lubben, Carl Koutnik, Nancy
Nussmeier and Doug Mandel were all outstanding additions to the department.
John R. Lubben, MD was recruited from Washington University and Stanford in 1990. When he first arrived he
was known by everyone as “Doogie Howser” and was never without his lunch pail. He served capably as the first
CFO of SAC and did much of the work to get the group up and running. John is the group’s “Internet hound” and
loves to use the laryngeal mask airway for every case possible. He has for several years served as a lay pastor in a
small church in Redding. John left the hospital this year to work at Patient’s Hospital, where he is overjoyed not to be
taking as much call.
Carl J. Koutnik, MD was another recruit from the University of Arizona, fellowship trained in both cardiac and
neuroanesthesia. Carl has always been a favorite of the surgeons and staff because of his excellent clinical skills and his
wonderful sense of humor. He’s everyone’s favorite storyteller and is also good at making balloon animals for the
kiddies. He is renowned for having his patients under general anesthesia “talk” to surgeons during cases. Carl served
as an early member of the heart team and as President of SAC. He retired from hospital practice this year to pursue
full-time chronic pain management with Leonard Soloniuk.
Recruited from the faculty at UCSF, Nancy A. Nussmeier, MD came with her husband, John McDermott, to start
the cardiac surgery program at Mercy. Nancy taught the heart team members how to use transesophageal
echocardiography and took a seven-year pause from academia to work half time as a clinician and raise her young
family. Nonetheless, she remained very active in academic pursuits, performing several research studies at Mercy and
serving as a prominent member of the Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia (McSPI) CNS Subgroup. She was
the only member of our group who could manage twenty phone calls during a routine tonsillectomy. Nancy left in 1999
to become the Director of Cardiovascular Anesthesia Research at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. She is
internationally recognized for her work on cerebral protection during cardiac surgery.
Douglas K. Mandel, MD was invited to join the group in late 1992. He studied chemical engineering at Cal before
going into medicine and he arrived here from Dartmouth in New Hampshire. Seeking an excellent anesthesia group in a
rural setting, Doug fit in well as a “mountain man” with sound clinical skills and droll sense of humor. “Doctor Mandel,
Department of Anesthesia” was a member of the heart team, served as CFO for SAC and has been the Pharmacy
liaison for as long as Gus Faure can remember. Through some help from members of the hospital staff, Doug was
introduced to Sue Parry, a nutritionist, and they have been happily married ever since. Doug is becoming a “certified
master gardener” and is exploring ways to incorporate that into his future plans. He is also going to publish his book
relating his experiences hiking from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean.
Two short-term members of the department should be mentioned at this juncture. Duane Menefee joined the
department in 1993 but worked for only several months before leaving for Chico, where he recently served as Chief of
Staff at Enloe. Charlie Evans came to the department about the same time, but he had to leave after several months
because of a medical condition precluding our demanding call schedule. He is currently practicing at Kaiser Santa
Rosa.
*****
In early 1994, both Denise Bogard and Dan Goodman joined the department.
Denise R. Bogard, MD came from the UC Irvine program and was a very colorful addition to the group. A former
CRNA who then went to medical school and residency to become an MD anesthesiologist, Denise was superb
clinically and had an engaging personality. She suffered the death of her husband while working here and worked full-
time as a single mom. She has been active in the California Society of Anesthesiologists, especially in the campaign to
limit the scope of practice of CRNAs. Denise left the department in 2001 to work in the Sacramento area and she
currently practices at Sutter Roseville.
Yet another anesthesiologist from the University of Michigan, Daniel M. Goodman, MD joined the department in
early 1994. Working with a style often described as frenetic, Dan’s intense energy in the OR is nothing compared to
his tremendous abilities as a “biker dude”. When Dan fell off his mountain bike, breaking his neck, rather than quit the
sport he started riding more with Tom Thomas (and that’s by definition over the edge). If you catch Dan, he is either
coming from or going to the gym. We recently discovered that he sometimes paints his toenails.
The hiring of Thomas C. Thomas, MD brought to Redding a brilliant and much loved anesthesiologist, and a top-flight
athlete. A graduate of UCSF, Tom was working in the East Bay before coming to Redding. He is the “Leo Buscaglia”
of the OR, giving hugs to nearly everyone, some of us too afraid to hug back because we might re-break one of his
bones! An avid mountain biker, climber and tri-athlete, Tom has endured twelve orthopedic surgeries and thinks
climbing Mt. Shasta is a walk in the park. The group would like to put a governor (< 30 mph) on his bike’s rear wheel
to restrict his “adventure biking”, especially with Mike Simpson. Thomas2 works on the heart team, has served as
department chairman and on many committees.
*****
With the retirements of Yoder, Smith and Hajny, the anesthesia department once again needed to recruit. Over the
next two years John Stewart, Brian Moon, Ramon deLeon, Mike Gasman and Dave Mahoney joined forces. These
clinicians were a great testimony to the continued excellence of the department.
John C. Stewart, MD came to us from Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. John replaced Dick Yoder as the
consummate engineer, interested in the intricacies of everything and boasting more extracurricular toys (4x4’s,
motorcycles, airplane, power boat, sailboat, bobcat, dump truck) than the rest of us put together. (Some people think
that his house is a Rent-A-Center.) John is loved for his “well, whatever” attitude and his unique viewpoints and sense
humor. He was “Johnny on the Spot” rescuing his airplane everywhere John Lange grounded it, even Mexico. He has
been a diligent recruiter and has served as President of SAC. He is a very snappy dresser, wearing a tee shirt, Levi’s
and curled up tennis shoes to even formal events.
Brian W. Moon, MD was offered a position not because of nepotism and ties to the community, but because he was
a superb candidate, and he has proven to be a tremendous asset to the group. Brian’s first career was as an air traffic
controller in Fremont, which controls flight paths for SFO and the entire Bay Area. That helps him with the flighty
personalities in the OR. After his anesthesia residency at USC (voted outstanding resident), Brian has settled in here
and has been known to kick his shoes off in the OR and sit cross-legged on the anesthesia chair (yoga-anesthesia?).
A native of the Philippines, Ramon V. deLeon, MD came to us from New England Medical Center in Boston. A
gymnast in his early days, and an internist after that, Ramon is precise and thorough and has been a valued member of
the department, including the heart team. Ramon’s other job is being a “slum lord” and once he gets ten rentals, he
wants to cut back on call. Let him dream on… On the dance floor, Ramon can dazzle the crowds and in the OR his
greatest love is playing with airway toys, especially the Bullard scope.
Michael A. Gasman, MD (perfect name for an anesthesiologist!) joined us from Patient’s Hospital in 2000. Like
Brian, Mike is originally from Redding and has tremendous ties to the community. The “Gas-Man” is a bit of a
computer geek and is the only one in the department who can handle his own billing. We wonder about Mike because
he carries a “Light Wand” wherever he goes (Cramer says in his wallet) and lights up many an airway. Mike is famous
for his “Gas Brew” homemade beer.
David R. Mahoney, MD was recruited from a practice in Wisconsin and brought experience and a great disposition
to the group. Another member of the heart team, Dave is the consummate “team player” and loves his airplane, his 5:
30 exercise routine and his triplets (not in that order). Dave had to give up his plane but has used the positive cash flow
“constructively”, to build a gazebo and pool house. No one likes to do add-on cases, but Dave will do anything for
blackberry cobbler.
*****
Around the turn of the century (this really does sound like a true history now!), the department had a number of
clinicians who were short-timers.
Brian Williams was recruited to the practice but he and his wife were homesick for Cleveland (this is a true story!)
so they moved back there.
James Rockefeller came in mid-2000, loved the fishing and golf here, but eventually left for a more lucrative practice
in Albuquerque. Ken Brown came over from Patient’s Hospital and worked here for just a few months before going
to San Diego. Jeff Galland was here for eight months but eventually returned to the inland empire and is now
practicing in Paradise.
Stephen R. Aufderheide, MD (Dr. Steve) was an extraordinary addition to our group. He was first a paramedic,
then a nurse, and then a physician, graduating at the top of his class at Johns Hopkins. His initial case in the heart room
is the stuff of legend – so bad that we thought he would quit after his first day. Steve was an avid kayaker and
whitewater rafter, lusting after Class 4 rapids. He left us this year to join a group in Eugene, Oregon.
Edward J. Frink, MD came to us from Hershey, Pennsylvania in late 2002. Ed was a respected and well-liked
member of our group and his anesthesiologist wife, Pam, worked at Patient’s Hospital. According to several nurses,
Ed always “smelled great” and he was constantly wandering around sipping a grande cappuccino. Ed and Pam left this
year for, of all places, Lander, Wyoming, the same place where Norm Hillmer retired. Maybe he can go hunting with
Joe DeWitte, too!
David C. Ho, MD was recruited in 2003 from the University of North Carolina where he was in the top of his class.
Dave earned his boards in internal medicine before transitioning to anesthesia. Now as an “internist in the OR”, Dave is
the newest member of the heart team and a great addition to our department. Poor Dave has experienced nothing but
turmoil in our group since he arrived (although we try not to blame it on him). He just recently passed his anesthesia
oral boards with flying colors. The nurses all say he is “sweet” and a joy to work with. He brings a musical genius with
him, his wife Lisa, an accomplished concert violinist. Quin Hauss definitely approves!
*****
This brings us to June of 2004. This chapter of anesthesia at Mercy is now “in the books” and we look forward to
new anesthesia adventures as the future unfolds.
This begins the dark days of Shasta Anesthesia Consultants. Coincident with turmoil across town at Redding
Medical Center (Google Redding Medical Center and FBI) an acrimonious 12-18 month period began with the
administration of Mercy Medical Center. A full description would require many hours and many beers to fully
describe. The short story is 6 of our docs quit (Aufderheide/Frink/Mahoney/Lubben/Koutnik/Stillman) The hospital
went through a period of many expensive locum tenens physicians. A long period of negotiation concluded with a
rapprochement. Recruiting resumed. Zach Lipman, Paul Wang, and Gordon Heminway joined us at this time. Zach
moved from Rochester NY bought a Harley and Kawasaki Dual sport motorcycle and is our current Iron Man. Paul
joined us from residency an PENN. After passing his boards we promptly dumped scheduling on him where he
currently serves. Gordon Heminway left Indianapolis to found a Cardiac Anesthesia Service in rural Mississippi.
After a couple of years in Mississippi he was enticed to join us in Redding. After doing essentially 100% cardiac for
many years we put him to work in OB, Ortho, Peds etc. Once he remastered everything but cardiac he joined our
cardiac service.
Shaun Echols practiced many years on the Coast. After 10+ years of clouds and cold he missed the sun and moved
across the mountains to join us.
Jonathan Barrows moved across the train tracks. He formerly practiced with our colleagues across town (see turmoil
across town) He flys and is working on instrument rating. He has a couple of motorcycles and he might be the buffest
doc we have. His experience includes volunteer New Orleans hurricane physician
2004 by Philip C. Stillman, MD. Thanks to Bill Moon, Dennis Crockett and Joe DeWitte for filling in details about
the “olden days” and to Jenny Pierce and Reesa Gwaltney in the Medical Staff Office for dates and many other details.
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