UNC Anesthesiology congratulates six clinical faculty on their recent fixed-term promotions:
1. James Krakowski, MD
* Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology (June 1, 2026)
Dr. Krakowski is a faculty member of UNC Anesthesiology’s Regional Anesthesia division. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (FASA). He is also a UNC School of Medicine Academy of Educators member and was honored on UNC Anesthesiology’s 2025-2026 Faculty Honor Roll for Teaching Excellence.
2. Christine McKenzie, MD
* Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology (June 1, 2026)
Dr. McKenzie has a faculty appointment as a UNC Professor of Anesthesiology & as a UNC Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She also serves as UNC Medical Center’s Medical Director for Obstetric Anesthesia Services.
3. Samuel Blacker, MD
* Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology (June 1, 2026)
Dr. Blacker is UNC’s Neuroanesthesiology Section Chief, as well as the Medical Director of UNC Medical Center’s Anesthesiology Support Services.
4. Bryant Tran, MD
* Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology (June 1, 2026)
Dr. Tran is the Director of the Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of North Carolina. He is also a member of the Liver Transplant Division.
5. Elisa Takalo, MD
* Clinical Associate Professor (June 1, 2026)
Dr. Takalo is a faculty member of UNC’s Regional Anesthesia division. She serves as the UNC School of Medicine MS4 Anesthesia Bootcamp Director and is actively involved in UNC Global Anesthesia faculty leadership.
6. Daniel Rosenkrans, MD
* Clinical Associate Professor (July 1, 2026)
* Dr. Rosenkrans serves in both the department’s Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology division and UNC Medical Center’s Critical Care Medicine division. He previously served as one of UNC Anesthesiology’s Assistant Residency Program Directors. Dr. Rosenthal served as a Co-Director and co-developer of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF)’s an online CME simulation course guiding clinician learners through safe operation of a generic hospital defibrillator.