July 2002
Volume 66 |
Number 7
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ASA NEWS
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| Ten-Hut, Military! |
Thomas H. Cromwell, M.D.,
ASA Secretary
In the March 2002 issue of the ASA NEWSLETTER, an article
appeared titled "ASA Needs a Military Component Society"
by Alvin R. Manalaysay, M.D., Ph.D., Chair, Committee on Uniformed
Services. It cited a number of aspects unique to the practice
of anesthesiology in the military.
ASA Now Has a Military Component The Board of Directors approved
of a resolution requesting formation of a new military component
at the March 2002 meeting. The Committee on Bylaws is currently
drafting the necessary bylaws, and pending ratification of that
action by the House of Delegates in October, the component will
exist. It will have the same rights, privileges and obligations
of existing state components.
The practice of anesthesiology in the military is unique for
a number of reasons, most glaring of which is the requisite change
of duty station on a recurring basis. This has provided little
opportunity for military anesthesiologists to become involved
in and develop allegiance to a state component. As a result, virtually
none of the anesthesiologists so affected have joined state components
and are therefore relegated to associate membership statue with
no voice or vote in ASA. Trends also were developing within the
military that were of increasing concern to ASA. Among them were
independent practice for nurse anesthetists and command positions
of nurse anesthetists over board-certified anesthesiologists.
Some apprehension was voiced by ASA membership when the original
concept of a military component was introduced. These included:
- Effect on existing component membership if large numbers
of military anesthesiologists abandon state components for a
new military component. In truth, there should be no negative
effect. As stated previously, few if any active military belong
to an existing state component.
- Who should be included? While the "uniformed services"
include groups other than the military (Veterans Affairs and
Public Health Administration), it was decided that these other
groups are not subject to frequent relocation and many can and
do currently belong to state components. Therefore, it was decided
to limit the new component to active military.
So, the new component has been created to address the needs of
a unique segment of our membership. It is now incumbent upon the
anesthesiologists practicing in the military to avail themselves
of the new component. It will succeed only to the extent that
they join and actively participate in its activities!
Because the ASA membership database does not specifically
identify members in military service, please notify the ASA office
if you would like to be included in this new component. Contact
the ASA Membership Department at < r.wallace@ASAhq.org
>.
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