ASA Annual Meeting — Elections, Resolutions, Research and Fun

ociety associates spring with rebirth, but for residency programs, July is a seminal time. Last month’s CA-3s have graduated and moved on to jobs or fellowship training. CA-1s and CA-2s have moved up a level of seniority and are busy welcoming the new CA-1s who themselves are experiencing a new set of demands and patient situations. Amid all of these goings-on, it is still worthwhile to pause to reflect on our roles as anesthesiologists in the broader community. We are responsible for educating lawmakers and working with other health care professionals to best serve our patients. We have to set policies and protocols within our specialty to make sure that we maintain the highest standards, pursue new knowledge and provide the best care. No anesthesiologist can take on such a task alone — we must work cooperatively. ASA, at the national and regional levels, is the way to do so.

Annual Meeting Opportunities
It is not too early for residents to start thinking about the next opportunity to get involved at the national level. During the ASA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, this October 21-23, several events are specifically geared toward residents (see schedule below). There also are meetings and seminars for the entire anesthesiology community extending through October 26. We will say thank-you for the great jobs done by our outgoing Resident Component Chair E. Olita Layton, M.D.; American Medical Association (AMA) Delegate Natalia I. Brown, M.D.; our Secretary Jennifer R. Dollar, M.D.; and our Residency Review Senior Co-editor Michael F. Aziz, M.D. As we say goodbye, we also will hold elections for Chair-Elect, AMA Alternate Delegate, Secretary and junior Co-editor of the “Residents’ Review” column. Please think about running. Note that Chair-elect, Alternate Delegate and co-editor are two-year positions that provide a year to work and learn about how the position functions before assuming full responsibilities. Only CA-1s and 2s or a 3 pursuing a fellowship will qualify.

You can find more details about the responsibilities of each position in the Governing Council Handbook available on the Resident Component Web site <www.ASAhq.org/asarc/index.html>. Also please feel free to contact any of the current members of the governing council with questions. If you are interested in seeking office, you should send a candidate statement and curriculum vitae to ASA, Attention: Denise M. Jones, Assistant Executive Director, 520 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068-2573. The “Residents’ Review” Co-editor also must submit a 500- to 700-word writing sample on a topic of his/her choice. These materials must be postmarked by September 1, 2005, for them to be included in the delegate handbook.

Other Ways to Get Involved
Elections not your thing? There are still ways you can get involved and affect policy at the national level. Write and submit a resolution about policy, Resident Component structure or other action that will be voted on by the Resident Component House of Delegates. These resolutions will have the same deadlines and details as the candidate information.

Also, if you want to be a delegate in the Resident Component House of Delegates, get in touch with your state anesthesiology society and program director for more details about your state’s appointment or selection process.

Success Building Upon Success
This year’s meeting will build on last year’s great successes. We will conduct our second annual Resident Research Forum and Resident Practice Management Seminar. New workshops on regional anesthesia and communications will be held on Sunday. Continue to get more details about the Annual Meeting as well as other activities within our Resident Component and ASA by signing up for the Resident Component e-mail listserve. Details can be found on our Web site noted above.

While our work in the ASA Resident Component is at times arduous, I find it immensely rewarding to work alongside future anesthetic colleagues toward common goals. I hope to share my positive experiences and exchange ideas with you all at the Annual Meeting welcome reception on Friday night and at our social event at a local club, which is slated for Saturday night in New Orleans.

Benjamin D. Unger, M.D., is a CA-3 resident at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.