David O. Warner, M.D.

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SUMMARY

The overall research goal of David O. Warner, M.D., is to improve the health of patients who need surgery and patients who have chronic pain. He also works with the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCaTS) to train the next generation of researchers who will make discoveries to improve human health.

Focus areas

• Improving lung health in the time around surgery. Dr. Warner's research has helped to improve the care of patients with lung disease who need surgery.
• Tobacco control. Dr. Warner has led national efforts to help cigarette smokers who have chronic pain or who are undergoing surgery quit tobacco, and has performed important research toward this goal.
• Effects of anesthesia and surgery on the development of children's brains. Animal experiments show that clinically used anesthetics may cause later problems with learning and memory. Dr. Warner's team performed seminal research showing that this may also occur in children. The team continues to investigate this crucial area to help ensure the safest possible care of children who need surgery.
• Health disparities and community-engaged research. Dr. Warner co-leads the Office of Health Disparities Research, a Mayo Clinic effort to identify and eliminate disparities in health.
• Training the next generation of researchers. Dr. Warner leads educational efforts within CCaTS dedicated to training investigators to perform the research that is needed to advance patient care.

Significance to patient care

Although modern surgery and anesthetic techniques are generally quite safe, there are many opportunities to improve the care of patients undergoing surgery, and Dr. Warner's work addresses several of these areas, such as studying the potential long-term effects of anesthesia on the brains of young children and how to minimize these effects. He also works to make a lasting difference to long-term health through efforts such as using the time around surgery as an opportunity to help patients quit smoking.

Professional highlights

• Board of directors, American Board of Anesthesiology, 2010-present
• Chair, Committee on Respiration, American Society of Anesthesiologists, 1998-2008
• Editor, Anesthesiology, 1997-2006