The UAB Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is improving team dynamics and creating development opportunities with the guidance of Associate Professor Matthew Sherrer, M.D., MBA, FASA, FAACD. Sherrer’s efforts focus on creating stronger, more effective teams—with the goal of enhancing clinical faculty and staff experience as well as patient outcomes.

Strengthening anesthesia care teams

Sherrer and Associate Vice President of Perioperative Services at UAB Hospital Brooke Vining, MNA, CRNA, MSHA, LSSGB, FAANA, co-lead the Anesthesia Care Team Optimization Committee (ACTOC) which was founded in 2019 to address teamwork challenges within anesthesia services. Created to resolve tensions among anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and advanced practice providers, ACTOC is a platform aimed at improving communication and collaboration across care teams. Over the past five years, the committee has produced several peer-reviewed publications, hosted numerous journal clubs, and participated in initiatives such as the High Performing Care Collaborative (HPCC).

“Dr. Sherrer’s visionary approach continues to drive unity and excellence, making him an invaluable asset to UAB,” Vining says.

The HPCC is a teaming curriculum which stemmed from ACTOC leadership in collaboration with the UAB Leadership Development Office (LDO) where Sherrer serves as a clinical consultant. The curriculum is designed to develop high-functioning teams capable of delivering the best patient care. “Our goal is to strengthen communication among our teams, making the workplace more fulfilling and ultimately improving patient care,” Sherrer says. The HPCC allows front-line teams to participate in a two-day retreat, engaging in professional development exercises such as the DISC assessment and workshops focused on strategic communication and collaboration. The success of the quarterly HPCC retreats led Sherrer to introduce a new five-week teaming curriculum entitled “Lead Infinitely”, covering topics such as humility, civility, and discovery-driven planning.

“Dr. Matt Sherrer has demonstrated unwavering commitment to bridging collaboration between UAB M.D.s and CRNAs, focusing on a spirit of teamwork that all health care teams can aspire to,” Vining says. “His leadership of ACTOC has been marked by a determined focus on restoring trust within the team. His inclusive approach serves as a model for not only the anesthesia teams, but also numerous other health care teams striving for cohesion and excellence.”

Coaching and expanding teamwork across UAB Medicine

In addition to his clinical leadership, Sherrer recently completed training through the Center for Executive Coaching to become a certified team coach. This certification adds a formal dimension to his efforts in improving team dynamics, and he can now apply evidence-based practices to help teams across UAB Medicine strengthen their collaboration and communication.

“This training allows me to bring a more structured approach to teamwork,” Sherrer notes, "supporting the leadership development work we’re implementing across various departments.”

Additionally, through his role with the UAB LDO, Sherrer has presented to departments such as Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, demonstrating that ACTOC’s principles are not limited to anesthesia.

“Our concepts of teamwork and collaborative care are relevant across many specialties,” Sherrer says. “We’ve seen that other departments face similar challenges, and our goal is to show success across multiple departments at UAB to eventually apply these practices on a larger scale.”

“Fresh Flow” podcast

Sherrer and Adjunct Professor Mitchell Tsai, M.D., MMM, FASA,FAACD, co-host the “Fresh Flow” podcast, taking listeners beyond basic science and clinical applications to  examine topics that shape the future of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. With guests that span international borders, “Fresh Flow” offers timely, thought-provoking conversations on everything from the relational aspects of medicine to innovations that could reshape the specialty.

“The podcast gives us the chance to examine the relational aspects of health care—how we work together, how we communicate, and how these elements impact the care we provide,” Sherrer explains.

The future of anesthesiology

Sherrer’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that stronger teams lead to better outcomes—both for health care professionals and patients. His focus on teamwork, communication, and leadership development is setting the stage for long-term improvements in anesthesiology at UAB Medicine and beyond. Sherrer is helping to shape a future where health care teams are better equipped to provide safe, efficient, and compassionate care.

“Dr. Sherrer is truly committed to enhancing the high-performing care team model across not just anesthesia but perioperative services as well,” shares Vice President of Clinical Operations at UAB Hospital Lynne Class, MHA, BSN, R.N., CNOR. “It is a testament to his goal of creating teams for the future that are focused on continuously improving patient care through communication and collaboration.”