Vaia Abatzis, MD is an Asssociate Professor of Anesthesiology at the UVA School of Medicine. She is a neuroanesthesiologist specializing in providing anesthesia to patients having surgery for brain tumors, cerebral aneurysms, and complex spine surgeries. Dr. Abatzis is especially interested in providing care for patients who need to be awake for brain surgery.
As Medical Co-Director for the School of Medicine’s Simulation Center and Director of the Peri-Operative Medicine Clerkship, Dr. Abatzis is actively involved in training medical students and residents. Her research interests are in medical education, including medical simulation, Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAS), crisis management, interprofessional education, curriculum development, and faculty development. She has been awarded multiple medical education grants from UVA for work with EPAs and ACLS. In addition, she has been honored with the UVA Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award for her outstanding teaching as director of the perioperative medicine clerkship.
Dr. Abatzis was born in Greece and grew up in Northern Virginia. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Georgetown University and her doctorate from The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She completed her medical internship,
anesthesiology residency, and medical simulation education and research fellowship at the University of Virginia. Dr. Abatzis and her sons enjoy all the wonderful outdoor activities in Charlottesville. You can find them hiking, biking, or kayaking almost every weekend.
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