Sheena Sawant, MD
“Dr. Sawant values open communication and transparency, always addressing concerns proactively to build trust and strengthen team morale. She plays a vital role in fostering multidisciplinary teamwork, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and advancing efficiency within her department and across specialties.”
Eric Cain, MD, MBA, FAAOS & Kapil Dhingra, MD, MBA, FACEP
Physician-in-Chief, KP Greater Southern Alameda Area
Sheena Sawant, MD, anesthesiologist at KP San Leandro, took on the role of chief during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the KP Greater Southern Alameda Area anesthesiology department through immense challenges with resilience and a collaborative spirit.
Recognizing the pressing need to improve operating room efficiency and patient throughput, she established a new anesthesiology workflow on a trial basis; within a few months the improvements in efficiency and interdepartmental collaboration were so profound that the new system was quickly made permanent.
Under her leadership, the GSAA anesthesiology department streamlined processes for patient placement and monitoring, implemented sustainable protocols for personal protective equipment, and established a robust mentoring program for new anesthesiologists.
A champion for improvements in perioperative surgical care, Dr. Sawant partnered with the vascular surgery department to ensure that high-acuity critical care patients undergo structured reviews; and she established a new workflow for unanticipated transfers from operating rooms to the intensive care unit, which greatly improved communication, reduced delays, and strengthened cross-departmental cooperation.
“As anesthesiologists, we work closely with other physicians, nurses, and technicians, and everyone brings forth their unique perspectives so the team can be successful,” Dr. Sawant says. “In an environment of mutual trust and respect, everyone feels confident to share their ideas, which helps us improve patient care.”