Robert J. Canelli, MD

Clinical Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Robert Canelli is a Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Surgery at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and an Anesthesiologist and Intensivist at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Dr. Canelli is the Director of Critical Care for Anesthesia and the Associate Director of the Surgical and Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit. He is the Deputy Director of the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship.
Dr. Canelli received his medical degree from St. George’s University in 2009 and completed his anesthesiology residency at UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School in 2013, earning chief resident honors in his final year. He went on to complete his critical care fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School with a focus in echocardiography, before joining BMC.
Dr. Canelli’s career has been highlighted by active education in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) through the Society of Critical Care Medicine, World Interactive Network Focused on Critical Ultrasound, and the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education. He is the lead educator for POCUS at BMC for the Department of Anesthesiology and the Department of General Surgery, Division of Trauma Acute Care Surgery. His genuine interest in education has been highlighted by multiple resident teaching awards, departmental patient safety awards, and the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.
Dr. Canelli is board certified in anesthesiology and critical care medicine. He holds an active testamur status from the National Board of Echocardiography for Special Competence in Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography.

Publications

  • Published 9/3/2026

    Karim P, Huang I, Chen J, Sanvitti M, Canelli R, Bilotta F. HbA1c Stratification Identifies High-Risk ICU Patients: Mortality and Complications in a Retrospective Critical Care Cohort. J Intensive Care Med. 2026 Sep 03; 8850666261483519. PMID: 42693523.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/1/2026

    Canelli R, Binda DD, Baker MB, Lam CM, Nozari A. Lightning Strike-Induced Cutaneous Burns and Airway Injury: A Case Report Highlighting Recurrent Extubation Failure in a Critically Ill Patient. Eur Burn J. 2026 Jul 01; 7(3). PMID: 42496477.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/28/2025

    Karim P, Chen J, Huang I, Sanvitti M, Canelli R, Bilotta F. Preoperative glycated hemoglobin as a predictor of infection in patients undergoing spinal surgery: A retrospective analysis of MIMIC-IV database. J Clin Anesth. 2026 Jan; 108:112050. PMID: 41161008.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/23/2025

    Sugiyama K, Swanton A, Shah T, Reissmann M, Canelli RJ, Munarriz R. Dorsal penile block of bupivacaine with adjuvant dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone can safely improve immediate post-operative analgesia and decrease opioid consumption after inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. Int J Impot Res. 2025 Oct 23. PMID: 41131407.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/12/2025

    Tuler M, Canelli R, Mustafa W, Lambert D. Processed Electroencephalogram Monitoring During Trauma Surgery. Anesth Analg. 2025 Aug 01; 141(2):e31-e33. PMID: 40505033.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 29 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Physician, Anesthesiology
    Boston Medical Center
  • Clinical Director of Simulation, Anesthesiology
    Boston Medical Center

Websites

Education

  • St. George’s University, MD
  • Villanova University, BS

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