P. Grace Harrell, M.D., M.P.H.

In her work with patients, P. Grace Harrell, M.D., M.P.H., combines the science of anesthesiology — and her expertise in anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to keep patients free of pain during surgical procedures — with the art of compassion. Her career in medicine grew from her interest in using science and engineering to help people. She approaches patient care with a dedication to meeting people where they are and embarking together on the effort to improve their health and well-being. 

Dr. Harrell earned her medical degree and, later, a master’s in health care policy and management from Harvard Medical School. She pursued an anesthesia residency and a fellowship in pain management at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was also awarded a postdoctoral fellowship in biostatistics from Harvard and a fellowship in critical care anesthesia from Tufts Medical Center in Boston. In addition to her credentials in anesthesiology, Dr. Harrell is board certified in medical acupuncture.

As medical director of anesthesia at City of Hope Orange County, she is excited to offer patients multimodal strategies in the perioperative space, primarily working with patients undergoing surgical procedures. Her previous experience includes appointments at Harvard as an instructor and an assistant professor of anesthesia. 

Outside of work, Dr. Harrell enjoys birdwatching, tackling DIY projects and stargazing.

• 2017, Service Award, Region I National Medical Association
• 2007, The Academy Excellence in Tutoring Award, Harvard Medical School
• 2007, Fellow, The Partnership Leadership Development Program

• American Association Medical Acupuncture
• American Society of Anesthesiologists
• American Medical Association
• International Anesthesia Research Society
• Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists
• National Medical Association

• Cimenser A, Purdon PL, Pierce ET, Walsh JL, Salazar-Gomez AF, Harrell PG, Tavares- Stoeckel C, Habeeb K, Brown EN. Tracking brain states under general anesthesia by using global coherence analysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(21):8832-7
• Wong KF, Mukamel EA, Salazar AF, Pierce ET, Harrell PG, Walsh JL, Sampson A, Brown EN, Purdon PL. Robust time-varying multivariate coherence estimation: application to electroencephalogram recordings during general anesthesia. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2011;2011:4725-8.
• Chen Z, Purdon PL, Harrell G, Pierce ET, Walsh J, Brown EN, Barbieri R. Dynamic assessment of baroreflex control of heart rate during induction of propofol anesthesia using a point process method. Ann Biomed Eng. 2011;39(1):260-76.
• Wong KF, Smith AC, Pierce ET, Harrell PG, Walsh JL, Salazar AF, Tavares CL, Cimenser A, Prerau MJ, Mukamel EA, Sampson A, Purdon PL, Brown EN. Bayesian analysis of trinomial data in behavioral experiments and its application to human studies of general anesthesia. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2011;2011:4705-8.
• Purdon PL, Pierce ET, Bonmassar G, Walsh J, Harrell PG, Kwo J, Deschler D, Barlow M, Merhar RC, Lamus C, Mullaly CM, Sullivan M, Maginnis S, Skoniecki D, Higgins HA, Brown EN. Simultaneous electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging of general anesthesia. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009;1157:61-70.
• Chen Z, Purdon PL, Pierce ET, Harrell G, Walsh J, Salazar AF, Tavares CL, Brown EN, Barbieri R. Linear and nonlinear quantification of respiratory sinus arrhythmia during propofol general anesthesia. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2009;2009:5336-9.
• Ginsburg G, Sunder N, Harrell PG. Acute right bundle branch block as a presenting sign of acute pulmonary embolism. Anesth Analg. 2006;103(3):789-91.
• Kleinman B, Kalathiveetil J, Jain U, Blakeman B, Glisson S, D'Ambra MN, Donovan C, Harrell G, Kaplan DK, Akins CW. Case conference 3--1990. Two patients develop some signs and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass--is it the real thing. J Cardiothorac Anesth. 1990;4(3):385-99.
• Keough KM, Farrell E, Cox M, Harrell G, Taeusch HW. Physical, chemical, and physiological characteristics of isolates of pulmonary surfactant from adult rabbits. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1985;63(9):1043-51.

Selected Reviews/Chapters/Editorials

• Gargarian MA, Harrell PG. Alternative Therapies. In: Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins;2006.
• Harrell PG. Complications of Anesthesia and Quality Assurance. In: MGH Board Review of Anesthesiology. Appleton, WI: Appleton and Lange;2005
• Harrell PG. Acute and Chronic Pain. In: MGH Board Review of Anesthesiology. Appleton, WI: Appleton and Lange;2005