Dr. Daisy Sangroula, a global educator and esteemed anesthesiologist, is not just revolutionizing care in Louisville but also shaping the future of obstetric anesthesia in Nepal. For five consecutive years, Dr. Sangroula has led simulation based obstetric anesthesia workshops in Kathmandu, focusing on “Perioperative Critical Events in Obstetrics,” a pivotal training program aimed at enhancing emergency response in labor and delivery units.  

The workshop covers essential topics such as postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive crisis in pregnancy, cardiac arrest and perimortem cesarean delivery, cardiac diseases in pregnancy, maternal sepsis, and improved decision-making and teamwork dynamics in the labor and delivery unit.

“I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of effective anesthesia in ensuring both maternal and fetal safety,” Dr. Sangroula remarked. “Whether in Louisville or in Kathmandu, every woman deserves optimal care during childbirth.”

The urgency of this training resonates far beyond Nepal. Every day, women across the world need care from anesthesiologists as they prepare to bring new life into the world. While sometimes this only requires an epidural, other times, more intense care is a necessity. Dr. Sangroula recalls a time when a patient with Goldenhar syndrome presented for a repeat cesarean section. The patient had a history of difficult intubation and had emergency tracheostomy three times during previous anesthetics. On top of that, multiple back surgeries made spinal or epidural anesthesia particularly challenging.

“Cases like this highlight the importance of preparation and multidisciplinary collaboration,” she said. “I worked closely with both Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Ear Nose and Throat teams to create a comprehensive care plan.”

Dr. Sangroula’s ability to translate clinical expertise into both action and education makes her an extraordinary leader in obstetric anesthesiology. Her passion for patient-centered care is matched only by her pride in easing suffering during one of life’s most intense experiences.  

“I have placed hundreds of labor epidurals, but even now, to see the relief from pain I see in patients' faces after I place a labor epidural gives me immense pride,” remarked Dr. Sangroula. “Labor is a dynamic process, and it is my job as an obstetric anesthesiologist to ensure that both lives, mother and baby, are safe and comfortable.”

Back in Louisville, Dr. Sangroula continues to shape the field. As Director of Obstetric Anesthesia, she mentors residents in the in advanced maternal care, helping them build confidence and competence in managing complex cases.  Under her guidance, patients (especially those at high risk) receive individualized anesthesia plans long before arriving in the delivery room. This level of planning is not just best practice; it’s lifesaving.  

Beyond the bedside and classroom, Dr. Sangroula is an active member of the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) and serves in different subcommittees, including the simulation and technology committee, international outreach subcommittee, and MFM/OB/midwife anesthesia education subcommittee. Her involvement helps bridge the gaps in global health equity and supports the advancement of safer childbirth practices worldwide. 

Dr. Sangroula exemplifies what it means to be a ULSOM faculty member. She is a teacher, a healer, and a global health advocate for maternal health. Her work in both Kentucky and her home country of Nepal underscores the vital role anesthesiologists play in ensuring positive outcomes during labor and delivery.

Interested in learning more about anesthesiology? Our Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine is full of compassionate providers who are dedicated to patient safety, comfort, and care.