SUMMARY
The clinical and research work of Mark T. Keegan, M.D., involves the care of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). As an anesthesiologist-intensivist, he uses prognostic scoring systems to determine the severity of illnesses of patients in the ICU, to assess the quality of ICU care, to evaluate the effect of new therapies or protocols, and for optimization of resource use.
As a separate research focus, Dr. Keegan also studies the development, implementation, and evaluation of examinations used to assess competency for medical specialty certification.
Focus Areas
- Improving prognostication and outcomes. Dr. Keegan's research strives to improve the predictive ability of ICU scoring systems, to validate and customize them for specific groups of ICU patients and to develop a system to be used when major regional or national events place a strain on ICU resources.
- ICU care for patients with severe liver disease. As a member of a multidisciplinary clinical team, Dr. Keegan evaluates clinical and therapeutic pathways for the pre-, intra- and postoperative ICU management of patients with severe liver disease, many of whom undergo liver transplantation.
- Initial and continuing medical specialty certification. In collaboration with colleagues at the American Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Keegan develops innovative, large-scale, in-person and virtual, summative and formative methodologies to assess physician competence.
Significance to Patient Care
Patients with acute, life-threatening conditions may be treated in intensive care units and require significant "life-support" resources to help them overcome their illnesses. Dr. Keegan evaluates scoring systems that objectively provide an indication of the severity of critical illnesses to allow for evaluation of therapeutic interventions, to help identify populations that require special management and to use as one of multiple strategies to assure quality patient care.
Dr. Keegan's second major research interest is concerned with "board certification." Certification by a medical specialty board indicates that a physician has demonstrated a high level of knowledge, judgment and skills in that specialty and is trusted by patients and colleagues. Initial and continuing certification requires successful completion of multiple examinations and assessments and the demonstration of a commitment to lifelong learning and professionalism.
Dr. Keegan participates in the development, application, and evaluation of new assessments of and for physician learning in anesthesiology and its subspecialties to advance the quality of patient care.
Professional Highlights
- American Board of Anesthesiology:
- Director, 2016-present.
- Chair, Assessments Committee and Exams Chairs Committee, 2020-2023.
- Chair, Ethics and Professionalism Committee, American Board of Medical Specialties, 2018-2020.
- Fellow, American College of Critical Care Medicine, 2018.
- Member, editorial board, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2011-2016.
- Critical Care Educator Hall of Fame Award, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic, 2016.
- Mayo Graduate School of Medicine:
- Mayo Clinic Critical Care Master Clinician Award, Mayo Critical Care Fellowship Program, 2014.
- Mayo Brothers' Distinguished Fellowship Award, 1999.
- Associate editor-in-chief, Anesthesiology Continuing Education Program, American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2010-2014.
- Department of Anesthesiology Distinguished Clinician Award, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2009, 2012-2013.