ASA 2026-2027 Resident Scholar Program Selected

ASA is pleased to recognize and congratulate the upcoming participants in the Anesthesiology Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs, also known as the Resident Scholar program. Six exceptional anesthesiology residents have been chosen for the 2026-2027 Resident Scholar program, an ABA-approved rotation that places CA-3 or fellowship year resident physicians in the ASA Washington, DC office. Working with ASA’s professional Advocacy staff, the scholars will gain hands-on experience in the political, legislative, and regulatory aspects of federal and state government.

The selected residents for the 2026-2027 cohort are Varun Adhvaryu, MD, Tejas Kollu, MD, Natalie Koons, DO, Linda Lee, MD, Andrea Martinez, MD, and Shriya Tanti, MD. These residents were chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool based on their involvement in measurable advocacy activities, regional representation, program representation, and personal interviews. Brief biographies of the selected Resident Scholars are listed below:

Selected Residents:

Varun Adhvaryu, MD
Originally from Idaho, Dr. Adhvaryu is currently a CA-2 at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals. He is an ASA grassroots and has attended LEGCON. He has a strong interest in protecting patient access to safe, high-quality anesthesia care.

Tejas Kollu, MD
Dr. Kollu is a CA-2 at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He serves as Secretary for the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists Resident Component and is a member of the ASA Grassroots Network, ASA Team 535, and an ASAPAC supporter. He also serves as an ASA Resident Advocacy Champion and has attended LEGCON as a William H. King Advocacy Award recipient. His interests include pediatric anesthesiology and health policy, with a focus on advancing physician advocacy and protecting patient access to safe, high-quality care.

Natalie Koons, DO
Former ASA Medical Student Component President and current ASA Resident Component President, Dr. Koons is a CA-2 at Stanford University and a leader in advocacy. She is a supporter of the ASAPAC and led the creation of a PAC toolkit for trainees. She is also championing an initiative with ASA leadership on the cost of becoming an anesthesiologist. Upon completion of residency, she will be pursuing a dual fellowship in cardiac and obstetric anesthesia.   

Linda Lee, MD
Dr. Lee is a CA-2 at Tufts Medical Center and will be the first Resident Scholar to represent this program. She is a member of the ASA Grassroots Network, an ASAPAC supporter, and has attended several LEGCONs as a Hannenberg Scholar and Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA)  resident component. Dr. Lee is actively involved in MSA and has a strong interest in scope of practice issues.

Andrea Martinez, MD
Dr. Martinez is a CA-2 at Northwell North Shore University Hospital/Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She is a member of the ASA Grassroots Network, an ASAPAC supporter, and an ASA Resident Advocacy Champion. Dr. Martinez is passionate about maternal health and is interested in the REDI Act and Medicare payment reform. She is also actively involved in New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA).

Shriya Tanti, MD
Dr. Tanti is a CA-2 at Yale University. Dr. Tanti is a champion for ASAPAC, consistently leading efforts to achieve 100% PAC participation in her residency program. She  previously attended LEGCON and has a strong interest in obstetrics anesthesia and preserving physician-led anesthesia care for Veterans.

Since 2010, the ASA Resident Scholar program has been instrumental in developing resident physician knowledge in advocacy and policy. The program currently has 76 alumni who have developed a comprehensive understanding of health care politics and policy and have remained involved in key ASA advocacy initiatives. Residents interested in gaining first-hand experience in a political environment are encouraged to apply. The application for the 2027-28 year will open in December 2026.

Learn more about the ASA Resident Scholar Program.