Residents Find Their Niche on ASA Committees

E. Olita Layton, M.D., Chair
Resident Component Governing Council

ach year an increasing number of residents exhibit tremendous leadership at the Annual Meeting and Resident Component House of Delegates. Although residents are busy, we realize that it is vital to maintain this enthusiasm throughout the year. As we quickly encounter the prospect of new jobs, it is imperative that every resident take advantage of opportunities to learn about the influence of ASA through active involvement in ASA committees and to become exposed to the variety of opportunities that exist within the structure of ASA.

No resident can claim that this Society lacks a niche for him or her. With committees ranging from Electronic Media and Information Technology to Anesthesia Care Team to Transfusion Medicine, each anesthesiology resident could find an interest in the activities of at least one ASA committee. This is a win-win situation for ASA and the Resident Component. Residents have a unique perspective to bring to the table, and our input is important in shaping the future of our specialty. Serving as an adjunct member of an ASA committee provides residents with the opportunity to learn more about governance within ASA, to develop one’s leadership skills and to explore an issue in-depth.

Information about committees that residents currently serve on can be requested by e-mailing the current resident adjunct member or by performing a search on the ASA Web site. Resident contact information is on the ASA Resident Component Web site at <www.ASAhq.org/asarc/committees.html>. Depending on a committee’s workload, committee meetings occur up to three times per year; the minimum requirement is a yearly meeting held at the time of the Annual Meeting. Business between meetings is usually conducted via e-mail or conference calls. The positions now being filled will begin their terms after the 2005 Annual Meeting and will serve through the end of the 2006 Annual Meeting. Although terms may fall after the completion of residency, current CA-3s are encouraged to apply for committee appointments. If you are currently a CA-3, committee reports are still required to be sent to the Resident Component Governing Council after the completion of your residency.

During this one-year term, responsibilities would include actively participating in the committee meeting(s), then writing a brief report of the committees’ activities for your fellow residents. A complete list of ASA committees can be found at <www.ASAhq.org/aboutAsa/asaCommitteeListing.htm>.

Residents who would like to serve on a committee should submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of introduction specifying your preference of three committees with contact information and an e-mail address. Along with your reasons for applying, your cover letter should include a statement of your intent to fulfill your duty to attend meetings and write reports for the Resident Component after each meeting. Application materials should be sent directly to: E. Olita Layton, M.D., Chair, ASA Resident Component, 1123 English Bluffs Court, Brandon, FL 33511. Materials are due by Monday, January 3, 2005. The ASA President-Elect must approve all Resident Component appointments to ASA committees.

ASA has been proactive and committed to getting residents politically involved. With more than 60 standing committees and subcommittees, resident involvement in these committees not only gives us a voice in forging ASA policy, it also allows residents the opportunity to become familiar with committee procedures that will only strengthen our organization and allow residents to be better informed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me <littlewaav@aol.com> or any of the members of the Resident Component Governing Council. Our e-mail addresses can be found at: <www.ASAhq.org/asarc/officers.html>.

Please send any topic ideas, sample articles or questions to the editors of “Residents’ Review” at <residents.review@ ASAhq.org>.

E. Olita Layton, M.D., is a CA-3 resident at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.