Devon O. Aganga

Devon O. Aganga, M.D., is a triple-board-certified physician at Mayo Clinic Rochester, serving as a Consultant in both the Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. He is recognized nationally for his subspecialty expertise in pediatric anesthesiology and pediatric critical care medicine, with a focused practice in the perioperative and critical care management of children with congenital heart disease.

Education & Training

• 2001 B.A. Biology, Luther College
• 2005 M.D., Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
• 2008 Residency, Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian
• 2011 Residency, Anesthesiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• 2013 Fellowship, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• 2013 Fellowship, Pediatric Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Research & Clinical Interests

Dr. Aganga’s clinical and research efforts revolve around the safe delivery of anesthesia and critical care to neonates and children undergoing complex cardiac surgery, heart transplantation, or extracorporeal support. His work spans:

• Intraoperative anesthesia for pediatric congenital heart surgery
• Management of critically ill children on ECMO and ventricular assist devices
• Difficult airway algorithms in pediatric patients
• Anticoagulation strategies during cardiopulmonary bypass and ECMO
• Post-operative risk-stratification and outcome prediction

Recent Scholarly Trends

Across 15 peer-reviewed publications (2013–2025), a clear trajectory emerges from foundational studies in pediatric viral respiratory failure and neurocritical care toward translational and clinical investigations in congenital heart surgery and extracorporeal life support. Half of his first-author or senior-author papers examine anticoagulation and thrombotic risk on ECMO, while collaborative multicenter works address anesthesia regimens during pediatric cardiac catheterization and early outcomes after valve replacement in children. These studies collectively inform evidence-based guidelines for pediatric cardiac failure and perioperative care.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• Pediatric Fellow Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins Hospital (2011)
• Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society, Columbia University (2005)
• Finalist, Resident Teaching Award, Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian (2005)
• Phi Beta Kappa, Luther College (2001)
• Brelind Scholarship in Chemistry, Luther College (1998)
• Regents Merit Scholarship, Luther College (1997)

Professional Memberships & Leadership Roles

Dr. Aganga maintains active membership and leadership positions in numerous national societies. He currently serves as Medical Director at Mayo Clinic (since 2016), Committee Chair for the Division of Pediatric Anesthesia (since 2014), and sits on the Mortality Review Committee. He is a standing member of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society, Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization authoring committee for pediatric cardiac-failure guidelines.

Laboratory & Clinical Teams

While no discrete laboratory is listed, Dr. Aganga functions within the multidisciplinary Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia teams at Mayo Clinic Rochester. These teams integrate intensivists, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and advanced-practice providers to deliver perioperative care for neonates through adults with congenital heart disease.