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Kenji Tanabe, MD

Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology

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Medical School
  • MD, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (2017)
Undergraduate School
  • BS, Stanford University (CA) (2011)
Residency
  • University of Colorado, Chief Resident, Anesthesiology (2021)
Fellowships
  • University of Colorado, Critical Care Medicine (2022)
Department Anesthesiology

Recognitions

  • The Outstanding Teacher in Critical Care Medicine for Anesthesiology Residents, University of Colorado (2025)
  • The Outstanding Resident Teacher of the Year, University of Colorado Hospital (2024)
  • The Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Advanced Practice Provider Fellows, University of Colorado (2024)
  • The Outstanding Teacher for Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Fellows, University of Colorado (2023)
  • The Outstanding Teacher for Advanced Practice Provider Fellows, University of Colorado (2022)
  • Resident of the Year, University of Colorado (2021)

Publications

  • Stewart E, Tran T, Tanabe K, Hunt A, Watson G, Kaizer A, Bebarta C, Ng P, Fernandez-Bustamante A. Remote guidance and focused point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training for cardiopulmonary instability assessment by novice sonographers. Resuscitation Plus. 2025;27:101184. PMID 41503447
  • Alber SM, Kim KK, Li X, Tanabe K, Gilliland S. Year in Review 2025: New and Noteworthy Literature in Cardiothoracic Critical Care. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2026 Jun;30(2):90-102. PMID: 41904708
  • Fitzmartin K, Tanabe K. Perioperative Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Echocardiography. In Keech, Laterza, Moore: Anesthesia Secrets 7th Edition. Netherlands: Elsevier, 2025: 191-199.
  • Tanabe K, Douin D. The Anesthesia Machine. In Keech, Laterza, Moore: Anesthesia Secrets 7th Edition. Netherlands: Elsevier, 2025: 220-229.
  • Tanabe K, Douin D. Volume Assessment. In Keech, Laterza, Moore: Anesthesia Secrets 7th Edition. Netherlands: Elsevier, 2025: 199-209.
  • Tanabe KJ, Fiza B, Bronshteyn YS, Fernandez-Bustamante A. Assessment of Perioperative Lung Expansion with Point-of-care Ultrasound. Anesthesiology. 2025 Jun 1;142(6):1140-1149. PubMed PMID: 40358338
  • Le DM, Douin DJ, Tanabe KJ, April MD, Schauer SG. Emergency Department Use of Airway Adjuncts in the Setting of Endotracheal Intubation for Traumatic Injury. J Emerg Med. 2025 May 12;79:82-90. PubMed PMID: 41106297
  • Gilliland S, Kim KK, Li X, Tanabe K, Hennigan A, Alber S. Year in Review 2024: Noteworthy Literature in Cardiothoracic Critical Care. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2025 Jun;29(2):116-125. PubMed PMID: 40221879
  • Hasken C, Tanabe K, Alber S. Pain Management Considerations in Critical Care. In Abd-Elsayed, Schroeder: Perioperative Pain Management. Switzerland: Springer, 2024: 209-231.
  • Alber S, Tanabe K, Hennigan A, Tregear H, Gilliland S. Year in Review 2023: Noteworthy Literature in Cardiothoracic Critical Care. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2024 Jun;28(2):66-79. PubMed PMID: 38669120
  • Tanabe K, Gilliland S. Perioperative Considerations for Modern Leadless Pacemakers. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2024 Mar;28(1):38-46. PubMed PMID: 38284295
  • Alber S, Tanabe K, Tregear H, Hennigan A, Gilliland S. Year in Review 2022: Noteworthy Literature in Cardiothoracic Critical Care. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2023 Jun;27(2):87-96. PubMed PMID: 37171074
  • Douin DJ, Krause M, Williams C, Tanabe K, Fernandez-Bustamante A, Quaye AN, Ginde AA, Bartels K. Corticosteroid Administration and Impaired Glycemic Control in Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Mar;26(1):32-40. PubMed PMID: 34470529
  • Tanabe K, Janosy N, Vogeli J, Brainard A, Whitney G. Caring for the caregiver following an adverse event. Paediatr Anaesth. 2021 Jan;31(1):61-67. PubMed PMID: 33185306
  • Chau VM, Engeln JT, Axelrath S, Khatter SJ, Kwon R, Melton MA, Reinsvold MC, Staley VM, To J, Tanabe K, Wojcik R. Beyond the Chief Complaint: Our Patients' Worries. J Med Humanit. 2017 Dec;38(4):541-547. PMID: 28975579.
  • Ruwald AC, Kutyifa V, Ruwald MH, Solomon S, Daubert JP, Jons C, Brenyo A, McNitt S, Do D, Tanabe K, Al-Ahmad A, Wang P, Moss AJ, Zareba W. The association between biventricular pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator efficacy when compared with implantable cardioverter defibrillator on outcomes and reverse remodelling. Eur Heart J. 2015 Feb 14;36(7):440-8. PubMed PMID: 25112662
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Professional Memberships

  • Alpha Omega Alpha, Member
  • Gold Humanism Honor Society, Member

General Information

Medical Schools
  • MD, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (2017)
Undergraduate Schools
  • BS, Stanford University (CA) (2011)
Residency Programs
  • University of Colorado, ChiefResident, Anesthesiology(2021)
Fellowships
  • University of Colorado, Critical Care Medicine (2022)
Department Anesthesiology