He earned his medical degree from UMDNJ–New Jersey Medical School and completed residencies in both surgery and anesthesiology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1995. Throughout his career, Dr. Pitera has held several key leadership positions within the Department of Anesthesiology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, including Associate Chairman, Director of Perioperative Medicine, and Residency Program Director. In these roles, he has led initiatives in perioperative services, quality improvement, and resident education, while also contributing to institutional committees focused on research and systems improvement. He has served as Co-Chair of the Perioperative Collaborative and remains actively involved in advancing patient care standards.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Pitera has been instrumental in resident recruitment, curriculum development, clinical competency evaluation, and research mentorship. He is also actively engaged in difficult airway training, journal club leadership, and mock oral examinations for residents.
Dr. Pitera is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and maintains current ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications. He is recognized for his clinical expertise, commitment to patient safety, and longstanding contributions to anesthesiology education. Since 2022, he has served as Chairman of Anesthesiology in Hoboken University Medical Center and continues to provide anesthesia care.