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Our People

The team behind
the care.

WAG is a physician-led partnership with a deep bench of CRNAs, CAAs, and support staff who share a common conviction: that the best clinical environments are built on trust, communication, and mutual respect.

Austin, Texas cityscape, home base for the Westlake Anesthesia Group team

Leadership

Partners

Dr. Paul Playfair

Paul Playfair, MD

Founder & President · Partner

Dr. Playfair founded Westlake Anesthesia Group in 2005 on a straightforward belief: that exceptional anesthesia care and a sustainable personal life aren't in conflict. That founding ethos — no call, no nights, no weekends, and a genuine investment in the people who show up every day — has shaped every decision WAG has made since. Known throughout Austin for his clinical judgment and his ability to build lasting relationships with surgeons, facilities, and staff alike, Dr. Playfair remains the anchor of the practice he built.

SO

Silvia Olejnikova, MD

MD · Partner
Anesthesiologist
LE

Lisa Evert, MD

MD · Partner
Anesthesiologist
JH

Jessica Hellums, MD

MD · Partner
Anesthesiologist
LW

Lindsey Whalen, MD

MD · Partner
Anesthesiologist
WJ

William Johnson, MD

MD · Partner
Anesthesiologist

Clinical Staff

Associate Physicians

FM

Fanny Morales, MD

MD
Associate Physician
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Vijay Ravula, MD

MD
Associate Physician
JC

Jessica Cooke, MD

MD
Associate Physician
EC

Emily Chapman, MD

MD
Associate Physician
HM

Hale McMichael, MD

MD
Associate Physician
DD

Dan Deming, MD

MD
Associate Physician
RK

Rachel Kramer, DO

DO
Associate Physician

Clinical Staff

CRNAs & CAAs

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Nicole Alebesun

CAA
TB

Tessy Bakare

CAA
KB

Katherine Barclay

CAA
OG

Omar Garcia

CRNA
JH

Jase Hoffman

CRNA
CK

Chloe Knox

CRNA
TK

Thanu Kovoor

CRNA
SM

Shannon Malloy

CRNA
KN

Katelyn Norcia

CRNA
VN

Vian Nguyen

CAA
MS

Mac Samuelson

CRNA
SW

Stacy Weber

CRNA
AW

Ashley Wells

CAA