Home Site Map Contact Us Join ASA Members Only
 
ASA NEWSLETTER
 
 
September 1996
Volume 60
Number 9
 
RESIDENTS' REVIEW

Resident Component 1996 Review and Annual Meeting Preview

Janet D. Pearl, M.D., Alternate Delegate
ASA Resident Component Governing Council



Resident involvement in ASA is needed more than ever in these "interesting times." Funding for graduate medical education is at risk for dramatic cuts as Congress scrutinizes the Medicare program for potential sources of "savings." Will fellowship opportunities be available to us? We are already seeing the results of this scrutiny in the new Medicare regulations pertaining to resident supervision. Moreover, the nature of graduate medical education is changing as managed care alters patient referral patterns. Managed care has initiated the concept of "scope of practice," which is now the "in" topic in health care discussions on Capitol Hill. Will nonphysicians be replacing us?

The 1996 National Residency Match Program was best described as a "drought" for anesthesiology. Will we be able to depend on the quality of our peers?

ASA provides a forum in which to discuss these issues and to develop a strategy for action as a profession. The ASA Resident Component provides a starting block from which residents can start to become involved in the process, to learn the organization and issues, and to develop the skills to become an effective leader for anesthesiology.

The ASA Resident Component Governing Council has planned the first Resident Leadership Training/Grassroots Advocacy Workshop, which will be held at this year's ASA Annual Meeting. The objectives of the workshop are to learn how distinguished members of ASA became involved in organized medicine and national politics, what the ASA leadership is doing in Washington, D.C., and how to lobby our senators and representatives effectively.

Five formal ASA meetings and one American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) meeting are scheduled for resident participation at the ASA Annual Meeting in New Orleans:

  1. Resident Reception: Friday, October 18, from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Elmwood Room, New Orleans Hilton.
  2. Resident Component House of Delegates: Saturday, October 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Carondelet Room, New Orleans Marriott.
  3. Resident Forum: Sunday, October 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Balcony I, J and K, New Orleans Marriott.
  4. ASA House of Delegates Opening Session: Sunday, October 20, at 9 a.m. in the Acadia and Bissonet rooms, New Orleans Marriott.
  5. ASA House of Delegates Closing Session: Wednesday, October 23, at 8 a.m. in the Acadia and Bissonet rooms, New Orleans Marriott.
  6. ABA Information Session: Saturday, October 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Ballroom I A-B (La Louisiane), Morial Convention Center.


Four special meetings that may be of interest to residents also will be held:

  1. Resident Leadership Training/Grassroots Advocacy Workshop: Friday, October 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Belle Chasse Room, New Orleans Hilton.
  2. Panel on Physician Advocacy: The Importance of Being Involved: Monday, October 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., in Room 103-104, Morial Convention Center.
  3. Panel on Communicating With the Media, the Public and Our Peers: Monday, October 21, from 2 to 5 p.m., in Room 103-104, Morial Convention Center.
  4. Panel on Job Opportunities as Anesthesiology Practices Change Rapidly: Tuesday, October 22, from 2 to 5 p.m., in Room 100-102, Morial Convention Center.


Other Resident Component activities include a revival of the Anesthesiology Resident Key Contact Program. We will be asking for your e-mail address and fax number to improve communications and establish an expeditious method of disseminating information. We are also working on a guide to encourage medical students to choose a career in anesthesiology. This idea was suggested by residents at last year's Resident Forum.

The Resident Component extends its sincere thanks to ASA President Norig Ellison, M.D., for his support and to the other past and present ASA leaders who have encouraged further resident involvement in ASA's governance. A special thanks is also extended to Ronald A. Bruns, ASA Director of Administrative Affairs, for all of his assistance. We would like to express our gratitude to the state anesthesiology societies who have sent resident delegates to the ASA Resident Component annual meeting.

To those members of the ASA Resident Component Governing Council who will be completing their terms as officers -- John L. Jimenez, M.D., Chair; Steven J. Hattamer, M.D., Delegate; Anne C. Still, M.D., Secretary; and Michael L. Ault, M.D., "Residents' Review" Editor -- we express much appreciation for your leadership, vision and effort.

Finally, thank you to the many residents who have contributed to the ASA Resident Component. Scott E. Metzger, M.D., Resident Component Governing Council Chair-Elect, and I look forward to an exciting and interesting year ahead. See you in "N'Awlins"!

Janet D. Pearl, M.D., is a CA-2 anesthesiology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
E-mail the author.

 


return to top Home >Newsletters >September 1996Home >Test


 


FEATURES

A Demonstration of Historic Proportions

ARTICLES


DEPARTMENTS


The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views, policies or actions of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

NL Archives

Information for Authors