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May 1998
Volume 62 |
Number 5
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RESIDENTS' REVIEW
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| Two New State
Resident Components Formed |
Ann C. Still, M.D., Chair
ASA Resident Component Governing Council
Congratulations to the states of Iowa and Kentucky for recently
forming state resident components. We salute the resident physicians
who worked diligently on writing bylaws and presenting their convictions
to their state component societies. We applaud those societies
for recognizing the importance of resident involvement in our
specialty.
Iowa resident Brent Thurness, M.D., took the lead following
the ASA Resident House of Delegates meeting in 1996 by gathering
information from ASA on how to start a resident component. In
October 1997, that became a reality when the Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists
voted to accept the bylaws that officially formed the Iowa Resident
Component. The new resident officers are: Brent R. Thurness, M.D.,
President; David E. Lind, M.D., Vice-President; and Robert C.
Kitterman III, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer. The Iowa Resident Component
will be hosting the First Alumni Conference Meeting in conjunction
with the Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting. We
look forward to hearing more about the successes of this active
resident group.
The Kentucky Society of Anesthesiologists became the second
state component society this year to vote in favor of forming
a resident component. University of Kentucky chief resident Luis
A. Vascello, M.D., became the first Chair of this organization.
He will be assisted by Zaki-Udin Hassan, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer.
These two dedicated residents have energized the group as they
work with the University of Louisville on several combined educational
projects.
The ASA Resident Component was officially formed in 1988
with the purpose of encouraging resident participation within
the Society. As residents became more active on the national level,
state component societies began to include resident members in
their activities. This resulted in the formation of several state
resident components.
A state resident component serves several purposes. It
gives residents a forum for sharing their ideas and experiences
during the training process. State societies are where the grassroots
work begins, giving residents the opportunity to discuss matters
unique to them as well as local, state and national issues. This
experience teaches residents how to participate effectively and
supports their development as leaders. Also, it serves as an educational
adjunct by providing information that strengthens what is taught
in residency programs, addressing important subjects such as practice
management.
Although not every state has a resident component, it
is the goal of the ASA Resident Component Governing Council to
have residents organized and participating in every state that
has a residency program. In 1993, Michael P. Smith, M.D., then
Chair of the ASA Resident Component, appointed a committee to
develop a manual on "How to Start a Resident Component". This
manual includes steps on starting a resident component, writing
bylaws, establishing effective communication through networking
and dealing with the financial aspects of these organizations.
Anyone interested in obtaining a manual can contact Ronald A.
Bruns, ASA Executive Office, 520 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge,
IL 60068-2573.
Feel free to speak with any member of the ASA Resident
Component Governing Council should you have further questions
or need assistance in this process. Names and address of these
officers can be found on the ASA Web site.
Residents who are interested in becoming involved are
often unaware of existing opportunities. Academic institutions
that provide positive role models, mentoring and effective communications
will facilitate resident involvement at both the state and national
levels. Active ASA members should foster the growth of young residents
by opening the doors and offering flexibility in work schedules
to allow for participation in state component activities. This
will lead to the successful development of young physicians who
are able and willing to actively support the growth and success
of our specialty.
Be active, be informed. Your future depends on it!
Ann C. Still, M.D., is a CA-4 fellow in pain
management at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
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