Monica LUPEI 

Very early in her life Monica Lupei  came to realize that she feels responsible for the wellbeing of the ones around her, including parents, relatives, and friends. She did not hesitate a moment when asked in preschool about the profession that she want to pursue as adult:  she was sure that she wanted to become a doctor. The teacher followed by asking why? “Because I want to make others feel better and enjoy life”, she said when she was only 6 years old. Years went by; however her professional goal didn’t change. She decided to put all her will, energy and strength to becoming a physician, to dedicate her life to others.  She studied hard in school and became more and more enthusiastic about what it means to become a doctor during Medical School: carrying genuinely about others, putting the patient’s wellbeing before her own needs, honing skills, never harming or neglecting any patient, and respecting their wishes and rights.           

While in medical school at Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania, Dr. Monica Lupei considered specialties in Surgery and Psychiatry before graduation in 1998.  Surgery was attractive because of the fast-paced decision-making and Psychiatry because of the implication it has on patients’ lives.  She chose Anesthesiology because it is the art and science that keeps patients safe while undergoing a surgical procedure, alleviates their pain, and minimizes the emotional impact. She was fascinated by this profession. In her opinion Critical Care is a continuation of Anesthesiology outside of operating room

During Medical School and Residency in Romania, she came to realize the importance of research for medical progress and had been involved in many research projects during training. Before coming to the United States, she had the chance to work as exchange medical student in Spain and Sweden, and train as resident in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care in France for a few months. The exposure to different cultures early in her training nurtured her decision to move to the United States in 2005 in order to continue working in a multicultural environment. After moving to Minneapolis, she dedicated two years of training to do research and improve scientific writing skills.  The Anesthesiology Residency learning at the University of Minnesota has been greatly enhanced by this previous clinical and research background.  She graduated Critical Care Fellowship at Northwestern University in Chicago in 2014 that allowed her to focus on polishing her clinical skills and deepening her knowledge in order to develop her academic career.

Now an Assistant Professor in the University Of Minnesota Department Of Anesthesiology specializing in Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Monica Lupei combines her desire to connect with and help patients with her interest in research by doing outcome-based clinical research in areas such as quality improvement. Another way Dr. Lupei is improving patient care and is involved in education is through organizing the Department of Anesthesiology’s Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Conferences for faculty, residents, fellows and nurse anesthetists to discuss complex cases. The conference is designed to nurture learning in a safe and respectful environment. In 2018 Dr. Lupei has been appointed as Medical Director of the Fairview Ridges ICU where the University of Minnesota Physicians group continues critical care coverage. At the beginning of 2019 Dr. Lupei accepted the Vice-Chair position for the Society of Critical Care Medicine Anesthesiology Section Communication Committee.