University of Maryland Welcomes David Mintz as Anesthesiology Department Chair

Appointing a Visionary Leader in Anesthesiology

The University of Maryland School of Medicine is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. C. David Mintz, MD, PhD, as the new Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Chief of Anesthesiology Clinical Service at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). His official start date is set for July 2026, but the anticipation is already high among faculty and students alike.

Dr. Mintz is no stranger to leadership in the medical field. He brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record as the Vice Chair for Clinical Operations in the Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Department at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Managing anesthesiology services across multiple hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, Dr. Mintz has refined operational efficiency and improved patient care while overseeing 125 anesthetizing locations. His role as Executive Director for Perioperative Strategy within the Johns Hopkins Health System highlights his capabilities in leading transformative initiatives that focus on enhancing employee satisfaction, financial performance, quality of care, and patient experience.

As a neuroanesthesiologist, Dr. Mintz is well-regarded for his clinical expertise in anesthetic management during intracranial neurosurgery, neurovascular surgery, and complex spinal procedures. His leadership experience extends beyond clinical duties; he served as Division Chief for Neuroanesthesiology for seven years at Johns Hopkins, where he established a fellowship program dedicated to the subspecialty.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Mintz is a prolific physician-scientist. Having authored over 75 scholarly works, he has sustained his laboratory's funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 15 consecutive years, alongside support from various foundations and industry sources. His research centers on understanding how early anesthetic exposure affects brain development—an area of fundamental importance in pediatric medicine. Dr. Mintz’s insights and contributions to academic anesthesiology have solidified his standing as an influential figure in the field, with roles such as Associate Editor for the journal Anesthesiology and a significant history with the Association of University Anesthesiologists.

As an educator, Dr. Mintz has received multiple teaching accolades for his dedication to mentoring residents and fellows in clinical and didactic formats. His leadership in research training is evident as he directs the Hopkins T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, aimed at fostering the next generation of physician-scientists in anesthesiology.

Framed within the remarks of Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dr. Mintz is recognized as the quintessential 'triple threat' — an exceptional clinician, a funded neuroscientist, and a dedicated educator. The Dean expressed optimism that Dr. Mintz’s visionary approach will lead the Department of Anesthesiology to unprecedented levels of innovation and excellence.

Moreover, Dr. Mintz will contribute to the University of Maryland Medicine Institute for Neuroscience Discovery (UM-MIND), promoting collaborative efforts in neuroscience research. His involvement with the Shock Trauma and Anesthesiology Organized Research Center (STAR) signifies further collaboration within leading experts in critical care.

Dr. O'Malley, President of UMMC, echoed similar sentiments, affirming Dr. Mintz's operational expertise and clinical knowledge in advancing quality initiatives in a healthcare landscape that demands continual improvement.

Completing his educational journey, Dr. Mintz holds an MD/PhD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, followed by rigorous training in anesthesiology at Columbia University, where he was also honored as Chief Resident. After a fellowship in neuroanesthesiology, he positioned himself at Johns Hopkins, where he thrived in academic excellence and operational initiatives.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Mintz resides in Towson with his family. His wife, Liz Proctor, is engaged in educational services as Director of Library Services, and together they are proud parents of two active sons.

"Joining the University of Maryland School of Medicine is a remarkable opportunity," said Dr. Mintz, expressing excitement to shape the future of anesthesiology through clinical care, education, and research. The department looks towards fostering new heights while enhancing its historical legacy in clinical excellence.

As the Department of Anesthesiology embarks on this new chapter, its ranking as #14 in the nation among medical schools—boasting over $6 million in NIH-funded research—ensures Dr. Mintz's leadership will impact both academic progress and healthcare delivery significantly.