FAER on a Mission to Foster Growth in Academic Anesthesiology

The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) experienced a busy year replete with new issues and opportunities.

The Foundation grant programs had leveled off for several years. The smaller resident numbers and faculties stretched by the increased clinical workload produced fewer research proposals than had been generated several years earlier. The academic anesthesiology community declared itself in crisis.

The FAER Board became concerned, activated its committees, engaged a consultant and undertook strategic planning sessions to seek answers to the dilemma. The result of that introspection was the adoption of a plan to change the Foundation. We intend to take a more active posture and role in transforming the mission of academic anesthesiology.

	Alan D. Sessler, M.D. President		Myer H. Rosenthal, M.D. Chair of the Board

Along with increasing committee activity (Strategic Planning, Mentorship, Education, Grant Review) and Strategic Planning Retreats, we have hired a full-time administrator/development officer, Thomas M. Bruckman, and moved to a larger office space for the expanded effort. The consultant’s report made these recommendations and opted for a change in the leadership structure as well, naming Alan D. Sessler, M.D., FAER President and Myer H. Rosenthal, M.D., Chair of the Board. The plan was designed to position the Foundation to grow as the impact of increasing numbers of high-quality residents was beginning to address the anesthesiology workforce needs and return a sense of excitement to the specialty with an upturn in cumulative academic activity in teaching departments across the country. This turnaround has just begun, and the anesthesiology leadership realizes that the recovery is tenuous and must be fostered.

The Foundation Board gave approval to move ahead on a three-year plan to energize the specialty and take the Foundation activity through a step-function shift to a higher level of program funding and communication. We also agreed to invest in personnel to increase visibility within and outside the field through greater public awareness of what we know, do and contribute to solving the problems in health care for the millions of patients each year who undergo surgery and interventional procedures. Anesthesiologists work and provide care for all patients who pass through acute illnesses and the frightening perioperative experience associated with diagnosis and treatment both in hospital and outpatient surgical settings.

In reaching its decisions, the FAER Board reaffirmed these principles:

• The future of anesthesiology is dependent upon the generation of new knowledge;

• Discovering, growing and educating the new scientist is fundamental;

• Quality mentoring is essential;

• Grant proposals are subjected to a rigorous review process by the ASA Committee on Research utilizing defined, objective criteria mutually agreeable to the ASA Committee on Research and FAER;

• Awarding of grants is widely recognized for fairness, integrity and excellence;

• All FAER Board members and staff will adhere to the highest standard of professional ethics.

We are cognizant of the opportunities that lie ahead and welcome the challenges that will inevitably accompany them.