UH Geauga Anesthesiologist and Leader a Calm and Creative Problem Solver

UH Clinical Update | March 2026

Vincent DeGeorge, MD, had a path to anesthesiology that began long before he ever stepped into an operating room. He grew up in Bath in a family of educators: his mother was a teacher, his father a psychologist, and his sister is a school superintendent in Lake County.

Vincent DeGeorge, MD

By the time he was 12, he already knew he wanted to become a doctor. He had shadowed a local cardiologist at the hospital, and that experience left a lasting impression.

At first, he recalls, he was drawn to pediatrics. At medical school at Wright State University, he enjoyed every rotation but didn’t feel a calling for any particular specialty. That changed in his final year, when in the OR, he discovered a blend of science, precision, and human connection that felt exactly right - anesthesiology.

“You have a certain ownership in the OR, even though you are not a surgeon,” he says. “There’s physiology, pharmacology, procedures — and immediate results. You meet a patient, ask them questions, and help them feel safe. I loved that.”

After completing his internship and residency in anesthesiology at UH Cleveland Medical Center, Dr. DeGeorge joined the anesthesia team at UH Geauga Medical Center in 2014. He has been a constant presence in the community ever since, first as part of a private group and now as department chair for UH Geauga.

A Steady Hand in a Time of Change

Over the past two years, UH Geauga experienced significant turnover in its Pre‑Admission Testing (PAT) program. As new PRN PAs and NPs rotated through, experience levels varied and workflows were disrupted. For many departments, this could have meant delays, cancellations and frustrated teams.

Instead, colleagues say Dr. DeGeorge became the steadying force that kept the preoperative environment moving.

His patience was notable, and he was always available for questions. He walked new staff through his clinical reasoning, explained the “why” behind decisions, and helped rebuild a reliable PAT process. When needed, he even performed PAT evaluations himself to ensure patients were properly prepared and could proceed with their surgery on time.

“Ultimately, it’s about patient safety,” he says. “My job is to help the OR run smoothly and efficiently. And communication is key.”

The surgeons he works with agree. In a setting where urgent and unplanned cases can create daily friction points, Dr. DeGeorge is known for his calm and collaborative approach, and the clinicians he works with describe him as agile and deeply team‑oriented.

A Modern Anesthesiologist with Deep Respect for the Past

Dr. DeGeorge appreciates how far anesthesiology has come in just a few decades. He has heard from senior nurse anesthetists about the “stone age” of anesthesia, when there was minimal monitoring, limited medication, and far fewer safeguards. Sometimes older patients will recall hearing stories from that time, too, and it can make them nervous about anesthesia’s risks.

“We’re fortunate to practice in the era we’re in,” says Dr. DeGeorge. “Anesthesia is incredibly safe today, but that doesn’t mean we can ever stop being vigilant.”

He approaches routine and emergency cases with the same mindset: stay calm, communicate clearly and prepare for the unexpected. He says the ability to review a patient’s full medical history in Epic is vital, and he supplements that with conversations with patients and families.

“I want to know everything,” he says. “That’s how we keep people safe.”

Rooted in Community and Family

Outside the hospital, Dr. DeGeorge’s life is literally grounded, as he quips, and hands‑on. He and his family live on a large piece of land in Geauga County where he gardens, does yard work and cares for a small collection of animals — including a beloved old pony. His children keep him busy with sports and cheerleading, and he enjoys boating on Lake Erie with his parents.

His wife, formerly a recovery room nurse at UH Geauga, stepped back from nursing when their grandson — now almost five — came to live with them. Becoming young grandparents adds even more fun and joy to their lives, he says.

Why UH? The People

Dr. DeGeorge has spent his entire professional life within the UH system —16 years and counting. Even as a teen, UH was the place he imagined himself working. As a physician, it became the place where he felt seen.

“What I’ve always loved about UH is the personal care,” he says. “It’s collegial. It’s community. The people I trained with and worked under—I’m still working with them today. That’s my favorite part.”

He knows anesthesia was the right choice for him. He loves science, precision and responsibility, and the privilege of guiding patients safely through their vulnerable moments. “And I love the relationships tat make UH Geauga feel like home, to me and so many others who work here.”

He was selected as a “Dinner with the Doc” honoree for the qualities his colleagues cite, including his clinical excellence, being generous with his time and his commitment to patient safety.

To nominate a physician for this honor, download the Cliff Appreciates Nomination Form. The next deadline is May 8.