Dr. Kurth's goal is to innovate and lead the specialty of pediatric anesthesoiology and the pediatric healthcare system as a whole. Throughout his career, Dr. Kurth has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research into pediatric anethesiology.

For example, he previously investigated respiratory control in neonates and this work characterized post-operative apnea that helped shape the standard of care for young infants undergoing surgery and anesthesia. He has also investigated the mechanisms of cerebrovascular regulation in immature animals and the regulatory mechanisms that predispose the fetus and neonate to hypoxic-ischemic injury.

Notably, Dr. Kurth worked with his colleagues to develop an anesthesia program to support Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s renowned fetal surgery program.

Dr. Kurth developed an interest in neurologic injury associated with congenital heart disease and conducted studies with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure cerebral oxygenation. His current research studies extend upon this line of innovation and involve using functional NIRS to detect pain in children.

As CHOP's anesthesiologist-in-chief, Dr. Kurth also leads efforts to improve the quality, safety, and innovation of pediatric anesthesiology. In addition to his leadership role at Children's Hospital, he helped found "Wake Up Safe," a patient safety organization for pediatric anesthesiology, and the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council.

BA, Colorado College (Chemistry), 1978

MD, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 1982

Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania (Physiology), 1998

Fellowship, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Pediatric Anesthesiology), 1989

CBA, University of Houston School of Business (Business), 2002

Anesthesiologist-in-Chief

Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine

John J. Downes, M.D. Endowed Chair in Pediatric Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine

Professor of Pediatrics

Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care

American Academy of Pediatrics, 1983-

American Society of Anesthesiologists, 1986-

International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, 1989-

American Medical Association, 1991-

International Anesthesia Research Society, 1994-

Association of University Anesthesiologists, 1998-

Cincinnati Society of Anesthesiologists, 2002-

Ohio Society of Anesthesiologists, 2002-

Society of Pediatric Anesthesia, 2008-

Chinese American Medical Pediatric Society, 2012-

Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society, 2017-

Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine, 2017-