Biography
Szabo received her Doctor of Medicine degree (1982) from Semmelweis University. Following her MD degree she completed a 6-year ophthalmology residency at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital, as well as a 4-year anesthesiology residency at the University of New Mexico.
Areas of Specialty
Anesthesiology
Ophthalmology
Education
I have been committed to teaching since the time I made the transition from resident to faculty twenty years ago. My primary field of clinical interest is obstetric anesthesia. My educational focus is on teaching safe clinical practice in anesthesia with special emphasis on obstetric anesthesia. I especially enjoy teaching our residents rotating on Labor and Delivery for the first time. I was the rotation director for about nine years, 2008-2017, and then again from June 2019 to November 2020. I contacted the residents before the rotation to orient them and make sure they come prepared. I also conduct mini-lectures and case-based discussions on a daily basis with the residents while I encourage them to read independently.
I also mentor medical students who express interest in our field. I was a Match Advisor for over ten years and regularly precept students in Continuity Clinic. As a Match Advisor, I have reviewed dozens of applications, provided guidance, and assisted the students throughout the residency application process.
I continually strive to improve my teaching skills. I have worked to incorporate skills I learned at the various Faculty Development Workshops offered by UNM and the numerous teaching workshops I have attended at the Society for Education in Anesthesia (SEA) meetings. My involvement with this organization began in 2005, when I attended the Workshop on Teaching, a 4-day intensive course on anesthesia education. I have been an active member of the society since then and have served on the Membership Committee for thirteen years.
Gender
Female
Languages
- English
Courses Taught
1. I developed and implemented the curriculum for a new fourth year medical student elective rotation in Obstetric Anesthesiology in 2013. In 2015, I expanded the curriculum to include simulation on a new epidural task trainer. To improve patient safety, the students first practice on the mannequin before attempting epidural catheter placement on patients. Not many medical schools offer this type of rotation, but I was able to compare curricula with colleagues (obstetric anesthesia safety experts) across the country and incorporate some of their suggestions. Some of the students choosing this rotation are going into obstetrics, not anesthesiology. They will have a better understanding of the anesthesiologist’s role in optimal obstetric management.
2. I also developed a curriculum for a new, advanced, 3-month obstetrical anesthesia rotation for our interested senior residents. One resident completed the rotation in 2013-14. He used his time to advance his ultrasound skills, to teach junior residents, and to provide pre-anesthesia consultation for high-risk parturients. His senior project, a Grand Rounds presentation, was the product of this rotation.
Research and Scholarship
I have mentored many residents and co-authored their posters presented at professional meetings. I have been involved in several clinical studies and co-authored seven abstracts presented at professional meetings. I have three publications so far: a letter to the editor, a case report, and most recently, in 2018, a book chapter.