Written by: Emily Stebbins, MD
Dr. Chris Abajian was an expert on and champion of spinal anesthesia for surgery in infants and children in the United States. As a Professor of Anesthesiology at The University of Vermont, Dr. Abajian and colleagues created the Vermont Infant Spinal Registry in 1978. The registry is the largest single institution database for pediatric spinal anesthesia in the country.
Chris passed away with his family by his side on Monday, June 24th 2024. Chris was beloved by his family, friends, colleagues, and all the patients he cared for throughout his life. Chris was an advocate for providing pediatric anesthesia care in a simple, effective, and safe manner. He respected children as individuals and strove to make the induction of anesthesia a less frightening experience. For those who trained with Chris, you will remember his love of magic tricks and how he could successfully and calmly mask induce a child without oral midazolam. The magic coloring book was a staple in every pediatric room at the University of Vermont for years. He taught numerous residents and colleagues how to champion and be successful with infant spinal anesthesia. Chris Abajian was a legend both in Vermont and within the Pediatric Anesthesiology community. A formal obituary will be sent at a later date.
Published with permission from the Pediatric Anesthesia Article of the Day (PAAD).
