FAER Activities at the 2005 ASA Annual Meeting

he Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) joins with our ASA colleagues and supporters in expressing our sincere condolences to those most affected by Hurricane Katrina. We continue to offer our support for their swift and complete recovery. As of this writing, FAER staff has been monitoring information from ASA regarding details of the Annual Meeting to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 22-26. We hope to have information soon that will assist us to plan for alternate space and time for the various FAER activities, where appropriate.

In deference to the educational needs of the Society, but even more so due to everyone’s more somber nature prompted by the recent devastation in the South, after conferring with the ASA Ad Hoc Committee on ASA’s 100th Anniversary, the Gala has been postponed and will be rescheduled for the 2006 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Based upon the overwhelming support received for this event in 2005, a larger venue will be sought for the Chicago event in 2006. Members with reservations for the 2005 celebration have expressed a desire to have their reservation held for the 2006 event.

The following list covers FAER’s planned events for the 2005 ASA Annual Meeting.

FAER Booth Activities at ASA — Visit Often!
The FAER Booth will contain descriptions of the various FAER programs and initiatives, including:

• Research and education grant programs

• Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship program

• FAER/Abbott Resident Scholars program

• Development activities, including FAER Research Councils

• Academy of Anesthesia Mentors

• Patient information and brochures.

Friday, October 21
Subject to last-minute program changes, on Friday morning, for the second year, one-third of the FAER Resident Scholars will arrive a day early to attend the Society for Education in Anesthesia (SEA) program.

Saturday, October 22
The FAER/Abbott Resident Scholar Program provides selected residents an opportunity to participate in activities at the Annual Meeting, including workshops, scientific sessions, exhibits and, on a space-available basis, refresher courses. Residents also have the opportunity to attend activities of the ASA Resident Component. On Saturday, the 7 a.m. FAER/Abbott Resident Scholar Orientation breakfast for Resident Scholars will be held. Speakers at the event will include James R. Zaidan, M.D., Chair, Resident Scholar Program; Eugene P. Sinclair, M.D., ASA President; Charles H. McLeskey, M.D., Global Medical Director/Global Marketing Director Anesthesia/Sedation, Abbott Laboratories; Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., Chair, FAER Board of Directors; and Benjamin D. Unger, M.D., Chair-Elect, Resident Component Governing Council. Lee A. Fleisher, M.D., will present “How the Resident Scholar Program and FAER Starter Grant Helped Me Return to the University of Pennsylvania” and Terese T. Horlocker, M.D., will present “Physician, Educate Thyself: The Feasibility of Virtual Regional Anesthesia.”

The Saturday noon Luncheon for Friends of the Foundation, FAER Award Recipients and Corporate Partners will be chaired by Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D. The discussion topic is “Raising Money From Industry: Beyond Clinical Trials and Within Ethical Guidelines.” The speakers are Bruce Gingles, Vice President, Cook Critical Care, who will discuss “Strategies for Seeking Funding from Device Companies,” and Dr. McLeskey from Abbott Laboratories will talk on “Garnering Industry Interest in Providing Financial Support.”

Sunday, October 23
FAER booth opens in the ASA Resource Center of the Georgia World Congress Center. Contributions will be accepted for both FAER and the ASA Centennial Fund Development Campaign.

Monday, October 24
2005 FAER Honorary Research Lecture: Alex S. Evers, M.D., “Understanding Anesthetic Steroids: Sites and Mechanisms of Action.”

2005 FAER Panel: “Clinical Research in Anesthesiology: Who Should Do It, How to Fund It and How to Publish It.” Ronald G. Pearl, M.D., Ph.D. (moderator); David O. Warner, M.D., David J. Clark, MD, Ph.D., Alison E. Cole, Ph.D., and Michael M. Todd, M.D.

Tuesday, October 25
The scholars program closes with a reception Tuesday night attended by ASA officers and FAER Board members. Sponsorship of the program is shared by Abbott Laboratories and FAER.

Moving the ASA Annual Meeting from New Orleans to Atlanta has been a monumental task, but it pales in comparison to the challenges ahead for our fellow citizens trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina. It is with their recovery in mind that we rededicate ourselves to our mission.

Explore the FAER activities at ASA meeting this year. Please stop by our booth in the ASA Resource Center.