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May 2002
Volume 66 |
Number 5
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FAER REPORT
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| Keeping Research Alive in
2002 |
Alan D. Sessler, M.D., Executive Director
Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER)
Due to the terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing
economic downturn, 2001 has to be ranked among the most turbulent
and difficult years in the brief 15-year history of the Foundation
for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER). Nonetheless, important
changes were made, and FAER continued slow but steady progress
toward its goal of preparing physician-scientists and future leaders
in anesthesiology, pain and perioperative medicine.
One of the most significant changes was the implementation of
the new grant structure. The fall grants deadline incorporated
new guidelines that include longer duration of grants, increased
dollar amounts and stronger emphasis on mentors. A total of 34
applications were reviewed in 2001, resulting in 10 newly funded
grants. This spring we received 22 applications. Viewed with optimism,
this signals a reversal of a trend of decreasing submissions.
Interest in anesthesiology residencies is once again high, and
we need to encourage our academic colleagues to collaborate in
education and research training efforts.
Last year, we thanked Carl C. Hug, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., for his
years of outstanding leadership of FAER. Although he remains an
active director of the Foundation, he turned the reins of the
presidency over to Myer H. Rosenthal, M.D., who has identified
strategic planning and fund-raising as priorities for the board
in 2002. The other officers of the board are Joanne M. Conroy,
M.D., Vice-President, and Orin F. Guidry, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer.
FAER also welcomed the first nonanesthesiologist member to the
board, Ms. Suzanne T. Anderson, Vice-President of Meaghan Jared
Partners, Inc., a consulting firm in Seattle, Washington, and
former public member of the American Board of Medical Specialties
(ABMS). She recently received the ABMS Distinguished Service Award.
Last year Dr. Hug introduced the first FAER Honorary Research
Lecture. Debra A. Schwinn, M.D., Professor and Director of the
Molecular Pharmacolgy Laboratory in the Department of Anesthesiology
at Duke University, presented "Thinking Out of the Box –
Anesthesiology Research in the 21st Century," which was a
huge success. James C. Eisenach, M.D., the Francis M. James III
Professor of Anesthesiology at Wake Forest University, will present
the second annual lecture. His talk will be "From Childbirth
to Cancer Pain and Back Again: Translational Pain Research."
These individuals are recognized for their outstanding contributions
to the development of anesthesiology through their energy and
enthusiasm as anesthesiologists, scientists, teachers and mentors.
In addition to the lecture, FAER is excited about its 2002 panel
moderated by Sean K. Kennedy, M.D. The speakers will discuss "Anesthesiology
and Palliative Medicine – Is It Part of Our Mission?"
During the ASA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, after the
Emery A. Rovenstine Memorial Lecture, we hope to sponsor a lunch
and program celebrating research with ASA President-Elect James
E. Cottrell, M.D., and Michael M. Todd, M.D., Editor-in-Chief
of the journal Anesthesiology, including remarks by the resident
essay winners and the Excellence in Research Award Recipient.
This will be followed by the FAER lecture and then the FAER panel.
Given the vicissitudes of 2001, FAER finances did reasonably
well. The Foundationšs income remained unchanged. Corporate gifts
decreased while subspecialty and component society contributions
rose. We modestly increased our base of support, which includes
individual anesthesiologists, practice groups, anesthesiology
departments, family foundations and bequests. The Anesthesia Legacies,
originated by ASA, is a positive step and should yield significant
benefit to the Foundation over time. We value your patience and
advice as these foundation development programs are nourished
and grow.
In the year ahead, FAER will focus its energy on strategic planning
and fund-raising. We will also make an effort to "come from
behind the mask" and gain greater visibility. I firmly believe
there is no better training than research for preparing physician
scientists, department chairs and academic leaders in anesthesiology.
We need to educate and engage more physicians in the pursuit of
inquiry and innovation as the specialty grows, matures, subspecializes
and gravitates toward the mainstream of medicine. FAER seeks suggestions,
collaboration and support from the entire anesthesiology community.
Research and education are important to the patients we serve
and to all of us.
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