Michael Kuntz, MD, recently joined Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as assistant professor of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology.
“He brings to Vanderbilt a breadth of experience in clinical training and research alongside the some of the most influential members in the field of congenital cardiac anesthesiology at the largest pediatric heart center in the country,” said Bevan Londergan, MD, assistant professor of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital.
Kuntz, who didn’t originally think he would be an anesthesiologist, hasn’t looked back.
“It’s not what I imagined it to be when I first started training — it is so much more,” said Kuntz.
“As a resident, I admired the way anesthesiologists cared for their patients and the dynamic of getting a child through an open-heart procedure. It truly blew me away. It’s incredibly humbling.
“We have a very finite and profound impact on a patient and their family. The moment a parent hands over their child to you, you have a huge responsibility. The gravitas of that moment is tremendous and that is where my gratitude comes from.”
Kuntz completed his undergraduate degree at Washington and Lee University, where he graduated summa cum laude with honors in 2011. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School followed by his postdoctoral training at Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami and Boston Children’s Hospital where he was the chief resident and chief fellow respectively.
“His passion for quality anesthesia care for children with congenital heart disease has made him an immediate fit with our exceptional faculty group that provides specialized anesthesia care for the children of the Pediatric Heart Institute at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital,” said Londergan. “We look forward to Dr. Kuntz being a leader in the field for decades.”
Kuntz, his wife, Lindsay, have four children ages 7, 5, 2 and 6 months.
In his spare time, he enjoys watching football and hockey, going on short runs and baking.
“I have a HUGE sweet tooth,” laughed Kuntz. “It helps me to bake, always has.”
