Fellowships
Department Anesthesiology
- University of Colorado, Anesthesiology (2012)
Department Anesthesiology
Professional Titles
- Neuroanesthesiology Section Chief
Research Interests
My early scholarship focused on pharmacokinetics and advanced bioanalytical assay development using LC-MS/MS methodologies. I contributed to the development and validation of highly sensitive assays for opioids, immunosuppressants, and other therapeutic agents in plasma, whole blood, and dried blood spots, supporting advances in therapeutic drug monitoring and pediatric pharmacology. This work evolved into clinical pharmacology investigations examining opioid metabolism, intranasal fentanyl for breakthrough pain, extended-release epidural morphine, methadone quantification, and ondansetron pharmacokinetics in pregnant women and neonates. My research portfolio subsequently expanded to perioperative outcomes and neuroanesthesia, with particular emphasis on spine surgery, intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM), and patient safety. I have contributed to consensus guidelines optimizing anesthetic management for transcranial motor evoked potential monitoring in complex spine surgery and have led or collaborated on studies examining toxicology screening in spine patients, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea and surgical risk, standardized neuromonitoring protocols, and intraoperative hemodynamic optimization. More recently, my work has incorporated systems-level and equity-focused research, including language proficiency and postoperative pain management.Publications
- Gamboa JE, Nofal SS, Pattee J, Guess MK, Clavijo CF. Association Between English Proficiency and Postoperative Pain Management for Adult Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Perianesth Nurs. 2025 Jun;40(3):544-549. PubMed PMID: 39297816
- Gamboa JE, Nofal SS, Pattee J, Guess MK, Clavijo CF. Association Between English Proficiency and Postoperative Pain Management for Adult Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Perianesth Nurs. 2024 Sep 18. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39297816
- Simmons CG, Montejano J, Eagleston L, Cao S, Kaizer AM, Jameson L, Oliva AM, Clavijo CF. Implementation of a Standardized Protocol for Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring Reduces False Negative Results During Neck Surgery: A Quality Control Case Study. Neurodiagn J. 2024 Aug 7;:1-10. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39110909
- Bao X, Kumar SS, Shah NJ, Penning D, Weinstein M, Malhotra G, Rose S, Drover D, Pennington MW, Domino K, Meng L, Treggiari M, Clavijo C, Wagener G, Chitilian H, Maheshwari K. AcumenTM hypotension prediction index guidance for prevention and treatment of hypotension in noncardiac surgery: a prospective, single-arm, multicenter trial. Perioper Med (Lond). 2024 Mar 4;13(1):13. PubMed PMID: 38439069
- New frontiers in intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring: a narrative review Anthony M. Oliva1, Julio Montejano1, Colby G. Simmons1, Scott A. Vogel1, Carlos F. Isaza2, Claudia F. Clavijo1 Submitted Sep 17, 2022. Accepted for publication Jun 25, 2023. Published online Jul 26, 2023. doi: 10.21037/atm-22-4586 View this article at: https://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-22-4586
- Happy Medium: Blood Pressure Goals in the OR Martin Krause, MD James Chen, MD, MBA Alisha Sachdev, MD, FASA Eugenia Ayrian, MD, FASA Claudia F. Clavijo, MD ASA Monitor ? October 2023
- Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2022:18 1455–1467 Incidence of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Following Inhalational vs Total Intravenous General Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Daniel Negrini,# 1 , 2 ,* Andrew Wu, 1 Atsushi Oba, 1 , 3 Ben Harnke, 4 Nicholas Ciancio, 1 Martin Krause, 5 Claudia Clavijo, 6 Mohammed Al-Musawi, 7 Tatiana Linhares, 1 Ana Fernandez-Bustamante, 6 and Sergio Schmidt# 8 ,*
- Clavijo CF, Oliva AM, Dingmann C, Kaizer A, Christians U, Burger E, Patel V, Kleck CJ, Vogel SA, Scott BK, Janik DJ, Jameson LC, Ginde AA. Toxicology Screening Testing in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study. Ther Drug Monit. 2021 Feb 1;43(1):136-138. PubMed PMID: 33181620
- Walker CT, Kim HJ, Park P, Lenke LG, Weller MA, Smith JS, Nemergut EC, Sciubba DM, Wang MY, Shaffrey C, Deviren V, Mummaneni PV, Chang JM, Mummaneni VP, Than KD, Berjano P, Eastlack RK, Mundis GM Jr, Kanter AS, Okonkwo DO, Shin JH, Lewis JM, Koski T, Hoh DJ, Glassman SD, Vinci SB, Daniels AH, Clavijo CF, Turner JD, McLawhorn M, Uribe JS. Neuroanesthesia Guidelines for Optimizing Transcranial Motor Evoked Potential Neuromonitoring During Deformity and Complex Spinal Surgery: A Delphi Consensus Study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2020 Jul 1;45(13):911-920. PubMed PMID: 32539292
- Clavijo CF, Oliva AM, Dingmann C, Kaizer A, Christians U, Burger E, Patel V, Kleck CJ, Vogel SA, Scott BK, Janik DJ, Jameson LC, Ginde AA. Toxicology Screening Testing in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study. Ther Drug Monit. 2020 Nov 9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33181620
- Davari B, Kotecha N, Clavijo CF, Thomas JJ, Rzasa-Lynn R, Galinkin JL, Christians U, Sempio C. A Sensitive LC-MS/MS Assay for the Quantification of Methadone and its Metabolites in Dried Blood Spots: Comparison With Plasma. Ther Drug Monit. 2020 Feb;42(1):118-128. PubMed PMID: 31318842
- Davari B, Kotecha N, Clavijo CF, Thomas JJ, Rzasa-Lynn R, Galinkin JL, Christians U, Sempio C. A SENSITIVE LC-MS/MS ASSAY FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF METHADONE AND ITS METABOLITES IN DRIED BLOOD SPOTS: COMPARISON WITH PLASMA. Ther Drug Monit. 2019 Jul 15. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31318842
- https://www.snacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SNACC-Article-of-The-Month_November-2018.pdf
- 1. Claudia Clavijo, MD, Mary E. Arthur, MD and Efrain Riveros-Perez, MD. Anesthesia Care on the Day of Surgery in Anesthesiology CA-1 Pocket Survival Guide. Oxford University Press, 2018. Chapter 4, p 33.
- 1. Claudia Clavijo, MD and Efrain Riveros-Perez, MD. Fundamentals of Anesthetic Care in Anesthesiology CA-1 Pocket Survival Guide. Oxford University Press, 2018. Chapter 5, p 51.
- Claudia Clavijo, MD, Ronnie Zeidan, MD, Efrain Riveros-Perez, MD. Crisis Management in the Perioperative Setting in Anesthesiology CA-1 Pocket Survival Guide. Oxford University Press, 2018. Chapter 6, p 69.
- Fernandez-Bustamante A, Bartels K, Clavijo C, Scott BK, Kacmar R, Bullard K, Moss AFD, Henderson W, Juarez-Colunga E, Jameson L. Preoperatively Screened Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated With Worse Postoperative Outcomes Than Previously Diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Anesth Analg. 2017 Aug;125(2):593-602. PubMed PMID: 28682951
- Ondansetron pharmacokinetics in pregnant women and neonates: towards a new treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome. Elkomy MH, Sultan P, Carvalho B, Peltz G, Wu M, Clavijo C, Galinkin JL, Drover DR. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Feb;97(2):167-76. doi: 10.1002/cpt.5. Epub 2014 Dec 4. PMID: 25670522
- J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2013 Sep;83:1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2013.04.007. Epub 2013 Apr 16. Comparison of the quantification of acetaminophen in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and dried blood spots using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Taylor RR1, Hoffman KL, Schniedewind B, Clavijo C, Galinkin JL, Christians U.
- J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2013 Oct 15;937:79-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2013.08.014. Epub 2013 Aug 28. Quantification of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pian P1, Labovitz E, Hoffman K, Clavijo CF, Rzasa Lynn R, Galinkin JL, Vinks AA, Malik P, Christians U.
- 1. Leslie Jameson, MD, Claudia Clavijo, MD. Neuromonitoring in the Geriatric Patient in Essentials of Geriatric Neuroanesthesia. Taylor & Francis, CRC press. In Press.
- Ondansetron Pharmacokinetics in Pregnant Women and Neonates: Towards a New Treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome MH Elkomy1,2, P Sultan3, B Carvalho1, G Peltz1, M Wu1, C Clavijo4, JL Galinkin4 andDR Drover1,* Article first published online: 4 DEC 2014 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.5 © 2014 American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Issue Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Volume 97, Issue 2, pages 167–176, February 2015
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Anesthesiologist, Member
- Colorado Society of Anesthesiology, Member
Practice Locations
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)12605 E. 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000
Hospital Affiliation
- University of Colorado Hospital
Specialty Information
Specialties- Anesthesiology
- American Board of Anesthesiology, Board Certification (2024)
Clinical Interests
I provide direct anesthesia care for complex neurosurgical and major spine procedures and participate fully in the neurophysiologic neuromonitoring service, which provides 24/7 coverage for more than 2,100 cases annually. In addition to my neuroanesthesia responsibilities, I contribute to general operating room coverage, including cases in the main operating rooms and other off-site procedural areas. I also participate in the departmental call schedule, including regular late calls in the general OR and monthly overnight call.
Care Philosophy
My clinical philosophy is grounded in compassion, dedication, and respect for every patient. I approach patient care with passion and full commitment, devoting my attention, knowledge, and judgment to each case. I strive to treat every patient with the same care and advocacy I would offer to members of my own family.
I provide direct anesthesia care for complex neurosurgical and major spine procedures and participate fully in the neurophysiologic neuromonitoring service, which provides 24/7 coverage for more than 2,100 cases annually. In addition to my neuroanesthesia responsibilities, I contribute to general operating room coverage, including cases in the main operating rooms and other off-site procedural areas. I also participate in the departmental call schedule, including regular late calls in the general OR and monthly overnight call.
Care Philosophy
My clinical philosophy is grounded in compassion, dedication, and respect for every patient. I approach patient care with passion and full commitment, devoting my attention, knowledge, and judgment to each case. I strive to treat every patient with the same care and advocacy I would offer to members of my own family.
Personal Interests
I have two children, and when I am not working, I dedicate most of my time to enjoying and spending time with them. We love finding opportunities to travel, explore new places, and reconnect as a family. In my free time, I also enjoy cooking, reading, and learning about interior design and art history.
Volunteer Activities
I have had the privilege of serving underserved rural communities in my home country of Colombia. In 1999, I also participated in a medical mission with the Red Cross to provide care to communities affected by a devastating earthquake that impacted an entire region of the country. I am committed to community outreach and mentorship and enjoy connecting with children and students of all ages, introducing them to the field of anesthesiology and the rewarding experience of caring for patients and serving our communities. In addition, I became a certified Spanish medical interpreter at the University of Colorado Hospital to better support Spanish-speaking patients. This allows me to communicate directly with patients and their families, reduce language barriers, and provide reassurance and clarity during what can often be a stressful time surrounding surgery.
Public Speaking
Yes
I am passionate about community outreach and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. I enjoy engaging with children and students of all ages, introducing them to the fascinating field of anesthesiology, and sharing the meaningful and rewarding experience of caring for patients and serving our community.
I have two children, and when I am not working, I dedicate most of my time to enjoying and spending time with them. We love finding opportunities to travel, explore new places, and reconnect as a family. In my free time, I also enjoy cooking, reading, and learning about interior design and art history.
Volunteer Activities
I have had the privilege of serving underserved rural communities in my home country of Colombia. In 1999, I also participated in a medical mission with the Red Cross to provide care to communities affected by a devastating earthquake that impacted an entire region of the country. I am committed to community outreach and mentorship and enjoy connecting with children and students of all ages, introducing them to the field of anesthesiology and the rewarding experience of caring for patients and serving our communities. In addition, I became a certified Spanish medical interpreter at the University of Colorado Hospital to better support Spanish-speaking patients. This allows me to communicate directly with patients and their families, reduce language barriers, and provide reassurance and clarity during what can often be a stressful time surrounding surgery.
Public Speaking
Yes
I am passionate about community outreach and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. I enjoy engaging with children and students of all ages, introducing them to the fascinating field of anesthesiology, and sharing the meaningful and rewarding experience of caring for patients and serving our community.
General Information
Fellowships
- University of Colorado, Anesthesiology (2012)
Department Anesthesiology