UH Anesthesiologist Leads with Quiet Strength at UH Parma

UH Clinical Update | March 2026

Chirag Shah, MD, a seasoned anesthesiologist with more than 30 years’ experience and 14 years at UH Parma Medical Center, has witnessed significant growth and transformation at the hospital. As department chair for over eight years, he's led the team through a period of substantial investment in facilities and staff, resulting in a surge in surgeries and endoscopies – from 5,000 to 11,000 cases annually.

Chirag Shah, MD

“The investment in our facilities and team has been incredible," Dr. Shah says. "We now have 12 brand-new ORs, endosuites and cutting-edge equipment. It's an exciting time to be a part of UH Parma."

Vibrant UH Parma Culture

“It’s a very good team from top to bottom,” Dr. Shah adds. “In the anesthesiology department on my staff, we have a great group of anesthesia techs, AAs, CRNAs and the anesthesiologists. We have a good group, including the entire surgical team, pre/post and pre-admission testing staff. It's a pleasure working with such a dedicated team to deliver exceptional care."

A Family Tradition

Dr. Shah comes from a medical family. With both of his brothers as physicians, he says he was eager to follow in their footsteps.

“They were my inspiration growing up for the profession of medicine,” he says.

Drawn to a Challenging, Patient-centered Specialty 

After earning his medical degree from MP Shah Medical College in India, Dr. Shah completed anesthesiology residency at Forum Health/Western Reserve Care System in Youngstown.

Why anesthesiology? Dr. Shah says it presented the opportunity to use all the disciplines he had learned in medical school – combined with that great feeling when a patient emerges from anesthesia after surgery.

“You get to apply everything you have learned throughout medical school including anatomy, physiology, internal medicine and various surgical specialties. It’s a very comprehensive field,” he says. “But it offers a unique sense of fulfillment, particularly when patients emerge from anesthesia with minimal discomfort and the surgical team experiences a successful outcome. Positive feedback from patients and surgeons alike is a significant aspect of the job's satisfaction.” ‎

Recognized for Excellence

UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, recently recognized Dr. Shah with a “Dinner with the Doc” honor, highlighting his outstanding work. In nominating Dr. Shah for this honor, UH Parma Chief Operating Officer James Hill, MD, MBA, noted Dr. Shah’s unique role at the hospital and singular talent.

“When you think of a steady, trusted leader, someone who brings people together and quietly gets the job done, Dr. Chirag Shah stands out immediately,” he wrote. “His influence is not loud or showy. Rather, it’s his consistency, humility and quiet confidence that makes him so effective and respected by his colleagues. Dr. Shah has earned the trust of physicians, administrators and nursing staff alike because he leads by example. He’s the one who always says we can make this work even in the most challenging situations. His colleagues often look to him first not because he’s the loudest voice in the room, but because his judgment and empathy and professionalism are unwavering.”

To nominate a physician for this honor, click here for the Dinner with the Doc Nomination Form. The next deadline is May 8.