Renee Tolly
Dr. Renee Tolly is a Pediatric Anesthesia Attending and Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. She plays a key role in clinical education as the Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship, where she is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of pediatric anesthesiologists. Her clinical expertise extends to high-acuity cases, including her work as a core team member for both the Kidney and Liver Transplant Team and the Anterior Mediastinal Mass Team at Emory.
Dr. Tolly completed her fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology at Emory University after finishing her residency in Anesthesiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Prior to her medical training, she gained hands-on clinical experience as an Anesthesia Tech at Baylor Heart Hospital of Plano. Her educational and professional background reflects a deep commitment to advancing pediatric anesthesia care through both academic and clinical excellence.
In addition to her academic and clinical responsibilities, Dr. Tolly holds multiple certifications, including NIH Stroke Scale and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment). She is also an active member of national professional organizations such as the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare and the American College of Physicians, reflecting her ongoing engagement in interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered care.
• Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
• NIH Stroke Scale Certified
• Emory University School of Medicine
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• American Academy on Communication in Healthcare
• American College of Physicians
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a deep personal motivation that began in childhood—my cousin was born with cerebral palsy, and from a young age, I was determined to find a way to help children like him. That early exposure to the challenges faced by patients and their families inspired my path into medicine and continues to drive my commitment to providing compassionate, specialized care in pediatric anesthesiology.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is: “If you’re on time, you’re late.” It taught me the importance of preparation, professionalism, and respecting others’ time—values that have consistently helped me show up ready, stay accountable, and earn trust throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the field of medicine—especially anesthesiology—is to be ready to learn and stay adaptable. This field is constantly evolving, and success comes from being open to growth, asking questions, and embracing new challenges with confidence and resilience. Don’t be afraid to take up space and trust that your perspective matters.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in medicine right now is getting people—especially the next generation—interested in becoming doctors. With the increasing demands of the profession and concerns about work-life balance, it's becoming harder to attract and retain talent. However, this also presents an opportunity: to reimagine how we support, train, and inspire future physicians by creating more sustainable, inclusive, and purpose-driven career paths in healthcare.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me—both in my work and personal life—are honesty, accountability, and meaningful one-on-one connection. I believe in being transparent and dependable, whether I’m caring for patients, mentoring trainees, or spending time with loved ones. Building trust through genuine, focused interactions is at the core of how I lead, support others, and show up every day.