|
|
Douglas R. Bacon, M.D., Editor
|
|
Change
It has been said that change is inevitable.
No, the face at the right is not a clean-shaven Mark
Lema. There has been a change in the editorial staff
of the ASA NEWSLETTER. At the close of business
of the House of Delegates this past October, I became
the Chair of the Newsletter Committee, and with this
issue, the editor of the NEWSLETTER. So, our
journey together begins—for this is not my publication,
it is ours, and it belongs to every member of ASA.
The title of the column has changed, for “Ventilations”
will forever be linked with Dr. Lema. “From the
Crow’s Nest” is taken from the great seal
of our Society. Paul M. Wood, M.D., winner of the first
ASA Distinguished Service Award, described the ship
as representing the patient who sails through the troubled
waters of surgery.1 We,
as anesthesiologists, crew that ship. If we are not
in the crow’s nest looking out for our patients’
best interests, then we have failed both as physicians
and anesthesiologists. The Titanic sank through
a failure in leadership combined with information from
the crow’s nest that came just a little too late
to avoid an iceberg.
The 2003 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California,
last October was a sign of a healthy Society and specialty.
Lectures celebrated research and investigative work
was presented from all over the United States and the
world — it was exciting and new and demonstrated
that the frontiers of anesthesiology are continuing
to expand. Our specialty continues to evolve. The latest
anesthetic techniques were discussed in forums, panels,
lectures, workshops and refresher courses. Technical
exhibits demonstrated how cutting-edge technology could
be applied to anesthesiology. ASA members were honored
for their contributions to the specialty and the Society
by the various awards and named lectures that were presented.
Each attendee at the Annual Meeting had the opportunity
to gain more than 40 continuing medical education credits,
all within externally imposed guidelines.
ASA, even in its first incarnation as the Long Island
Society of Anesthetists in 1905, was created to promote
the art and science of anesthesiology.2
Essentially we are an educational organization, and
a considerable proportion of our dues goes to support
educational programs. Putting together the Annual Meeting
is a feat that should engender our highest respect and
admiration. Often we lose sight of the hours worked
by ASA staff and volunteer ASA members to create and
promote our educational efforts, as political issues
inflame our passions!
The Annual Meeting serves as the annual business meeting
of the Society. We elected a new president, Roger W.
Litwiller, M.D. We voted in a “new” slate
of officers, mostly returning incumbents. In some ways,
the election process this year was disappointing with
only one contested election. As an American who firmly
believes in our democratic institutions, not having
a choice always feels as if something is missing. Last
year the election for First Vice-President was thrilling.
Two solid candidates with differing visions for ASA
stood before the House of Delegates and laid forth their
agendas. It was left to the delegates, and by logical
democratic extension, the members of ASA, to decide
which person would do the better job for the Society
and the specialty of anesthesiology.
Contested elections have a price. The “losing”
side may feel slighted and not wish to cooperate with
the greater aims of the Society for a while. As Americans,
however, one of our strengths has always been the ability
to come together in support of the winner, putting our
differences aside. Having a choice is the sign of a
healthy Society, full of willing and able leaders who
passionately believe in our specialty. A choice reinforces
the belief that there is no select, secret group that
predetermines who will lead the Society. Americans continue
to believe that with hard work, dedication and the desire
to achieve, anyone can be president!
The 2003 Annual Meeting is over, and plans for 2004
in Las Vegas, Nevada, are already under way. Throughout
the year, the NEWSLETTER will focus on the
business of our Society. No doubt there will be calls
to let our federal, state and local elected officials
know the issues that affect our specialty and, more
importantly, our patients. Failure to be heard in time
is like the call from the Titanic’s crow’s
nest in 1912 that came too late to avoid disaster. Together
we can make anesthesiology the best and safest practice
of medicine for the group that matters most, our patients.
Finally, you will notice a few cosmetic changes in the
NEWSLETTER beginning with this issue. The ASA
editorial staff and Committee on Newsletter felt that
a new, more modern style would best represent this dynamic
and diverse publication and better compliment the hard
work and vision of Dr. Lema and the hundreds of ASA
members who make the NEWSLETTER a success.
– D.R.B.
References:
1. Letter from Paul Wood, M.D., to Withrop H. Hall,
M.D., June 5, 1961. The Collected Papers of Paul M.
Wood, M.D. Wood Library-Museum Collection, Park Ridge,
IL.
2. Bylaws of the Long Island Society of Anesthetists,
The Collected Papers of the Long Island, New York and
American Society of Anesthetists, 1905-1945, The Wood
Library-Museum of Anesthesiology Collection. Park Ridge,
IL.
Agent Provocateur:
Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D.
Douglas R. Bacon, M.D.
ASA NEWSLETTER Editor
For the past six years, 72 times, we have turned the
front cover of the ASA NEWSLETTER to read
“Ventilations,” the Editor’s column.
In countless operating rooms, lounges and locker rooms
across the country, Dr. Lema’s latest pearl
was discussed. Rarely has a column been written that
did not provoke some reaction. “The Emperor’s
New Clothes” (September 1998 “Ventilations”)
engendered considerable discussion concerning what
is the appropriate attire for an anesthesiologist.
Mark remained unafraid to take on the issues of the
day and offered up his take on the matter at hand.
Dr. Lema’s editorial interests harken back to
his undergraduate days at Canisius College, where
he majored in Political Science. After graduation,
he matriculated at the Roswell Park Division of the
University of Buffalo, obtaining a Ph.D. in physiology.
Dr. Lema then attended State University of New York
Health Science Center at Brooklyn and obtained an
M.D. degree. Interestingly his predecessor as editor,
Erwin Lear, M.D., also graduated from the same medical
school!1
Completing his training in anesthesiology at the Brigham
and Women’s program at Harvard, it was not long
before the call of western New York beckoned, and
Dr. Lema returned to Buffalo and the Roswell Park
Cancer Institute. With a hospital department to develop,
Mark became a mentor and in essence the best editor
the staff had ever seen. He was soon tapped to be
editor of the Sphere, the newsletter of the
New York State Society of Anesthesiologists. Serving
for five years, he helped create a newsletter that
enjoyed a circulation well beyond the confines of
New York. His columns, perhaps a bit more tame, invoked
less discussion among his colleagues.
Taking responsibility for the ASA NEWSLETTER
in 1998, Dr. Lema wrote, “In the upcoming issues,
topics will be reflective of the trends facing our
specialty, complete with controversial viewpoints
and counterpoint rebuttals. Your letters and comments,
even if negative, are the touchstone for where our
Society is, and where it is headed. Please consider
either loving or hating our specialty and be vocal
about potential changes; but please … do not
be indifferent lest we, as a Society and a medical
specialty, just fade away.”2
These words he lived by, and the NEWSLETTER and the
specialty are the better. Controversial and impassioned,
Dr. Lema always tried to provoke opinions about aspects
of anesthesiology we should deeply care about. He
also wrote, “If I can enjoy half the success
that Erwin experienced during his tenure, I will consider
my stewardship of this 60-year-old publication an
overwhelming success.”2
Congratulations on your success, Mark, and accept
the best wishes of all as you continue to serve our
specialty of anesthesiology.
References:
1. Lema MJ. The NEWSLETTER’s ironman.
ASA Newsl. 1998; 62(1):20-21.
2. Lema MJ. A changing of the guard. ASA Newsl.
1998; 62(1):1.i
return to top
|