Kim My Thai Li, MD

Dr. Li’s career in pediatric anesthesiology has been shaped by a commitment to caring for medically complex children and advancing the perioperative management of congenital cardiac patients. Her previous experience includes clinical practice centered on high-acuity pediatric care with vulnerable populations that reinforced the importance of meticulous preparation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technical excellence in delivering safe and compassionate anesthesia care.

She has cultivated a broad skill set that complements her congenital cardiac anesthesia fellowship training, including infant spinal anesthesia for urologic procedures and the use of point-of-care gastric ultrasound to evaluate aspiration risk in the setting of potential NPO violations. Her experience spans diverse perioperative environments, from non-operating room anesthetics in dental and radiology settings to the management of perioperative emergencies in medically fragile children. These experiences have deepened her clinical judgment and strengthened her interest in the physiologic complexities inherent to children with congenital heart disease.

Academically, she is dedicated to contributing meaningful research to the field. Her ongoing projects reflect her broader interest in optimizing hemodynamic management and improving perioperative outcomes in high-acuity populations.

Education remains central to her professional identity. She plays an active role in the pediatric anesthesia fellowship simulation program, helping design and lead scenarios focused on congenital cardiac emergencies and perioperative complications. She also serves on the organizing committee for a multi-institutional pediatric fellow enrichment workshop dedicated to transplant and congenital cardiac anesthesia. Through these roles, she continues to foster learner development, clinical confidence, and critical decision-making through high-fidelity simulation and structured educational initiatives.

Personal Statement

My career in pediatric anesthesiology has been driven by a dedication to caring for medically complex children and advancing the perioperative management of congenital cardiac patients. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to meticulous preparation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and safe, compassionate care. Outside of medicine, I am looking forward to exploring the Houston area with my husband, newborn son and our dog, Loretta Lou. Avid traveler and curious cook, I am excited to experience the food scene and events Houston area.

Clinical Interests

Congenital cardiac anesthesiology, liver anesthesia

Education

Organizations

Board Certification

* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.

Li, K.M., Baddigam, R., Bethel, M. et al. Anesthesia Considerations for Transcatheter Mitral and Aortic Valve Procedures. Current Anesthesiology Reports 11, 284–291 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-021-00452-7