he Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is the highest recognition ASA has traditionally bestowed upon outstanding members. The DSA was established in 1945 on the recommendation of the Committee on Awards and Honors for outstanding work in and service to anesthesiology. Following Paul M. Wood, M.D., as the first recipient, the 1946 Committee on Distinguished Service Award submitted the names of Ralph M. Waters, M.D., Ralph M. Tovell, M.D., and Stuart C. Cullen, M.D., to the Board of Directors (BOD). Dr. Waters was the winner. The BOD then requested the committee, thereafter, to submit three names to the BOD and provide an outline of the accomplishments of the three candidates.

Then, as now, the selection of the DSA is not an easy task. In September 1947, the committee submitted the names of Adolph F. Erdmann, M.D., John S. Lundy, M.D., and Dr. Cullen for consideration for the DSA. Emery A. Rovenstine, M.D., was to present plans for presentation of the award to Dr. Waters. Originally the award was decided by vote of the BOD. Urban H. Eversole, M.D., made an attempt in 1948 for the award to be by vote of the House of Delegates (HOD); John Adriani, M.D., supported this. The HOD became the body that selected the DSA recipient in 1948. The 1948 Committee on Awards and Honors also recommended that the award not be an annual one or at any set interval, but it should be made for meritorious service when such service was evident. The service could lie in the field of clinical anesthesia, experimental research or clinical teaching. The committee also felt it important to create some element of continuity to the committee by dropping only two members annually.

In 1949 the committee, chaired by Ralph T. Knight, M.D., submitted eight stellar candidates to the BOD almost all with equal weight. Dr. Adriani was recommended for his three excellent teaching textbooks and other significant contributions. Dr. Cullen was nominated for his textbook contribution, his excellent investigations of curare and other significant activities. The nomination of Harold H. Griffith, M.D., was for his introduction of curare into anesthesiology and his recognition as a teaching lecturer. The nomination for Charles F. McCuskey, M.D., was for his activities in the advancement of anesthesiology organization and his success as a Consultant in Anesthesiology for the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The name of Henry Ruth, M.D., was put forth for his establishment of Anesthesia Study Commissions and his able editorship of Anesthesiology. Meyer Saklad, M.D., was nominated for his development of improved methods of American board examinations and his development of punch-card reference records. The nomination for Brian Sword, M.D., was based on his advancement of lung surgery. Dr. Tovell was nominated for his advancement of the teaching of anesthesiology and his accomplishment as a Consultant in Anesthesiology for the European Theater of Operations and for the Veterans Administration. The selection of the candidate was obviously no easy task. The characteristics in common for recipients of the DSA are a history of service and the advancement of the specialty. Dr. Adriani ultimately received the DSA that year.

Dr. Lundy chaired the 1950 Committee on Awards and Honors. The committee recommended the DSA be given annually, and each component could nominate one of its members. The committee also was permitted to nominate individuals, but no less than three names would be submitted to the BOD. If more than three names were submitted, the BOD would select the three on the list to be submitted to the HOD.

Frederick P. Haugen, M.D., chaired the 1953 committee and suggested that the HOD be presented with detailed information on the finalists for the DSA before they vote and also that the committee’s membership should be more stable. The 1954 committee indicated that the custom had been for the committee to present the three nominees accompanied by an adequate curriculum vitae rather than expressing any preference on part of the committee.

In 1963 the HOD approved that each ASA component may submit the name of a living individual for the DSA, which must be received 60 days before the Annual Meeting. The component was required to forward a copy of the candidate’s curriculum vitae to the members of the BOD 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The BOD selected the three nominees to the HOD by secret ballot. If three names or less were submitted, all were forwarded to the HOD. The HOD voted by secret ballot for the DSA award.

The DSA was twice awarded posthumously; here, Albert M. Betcher, M.D., left, accepts the 1969 DSA for Forrest E. Leffingwell, M.D., from 1970 ASA President John E. Steinhaus, M.D., in New York, New York.

E.M. Papper, M.D., was chair of a 1966 ad hoc committee that reviewed present and past selection procedures for the DSA. The committee recommended that the DSA selection committee be a standing committee composed of three past presidents and three DSA recipients. Continued to this day, the term of each is set at three years, and the chair is appointed annually by the president. Qualifications shall be outstanding clinical, educational and scientific achievement or contributions that further the development of the society. Nominations by component or society members of ASA are on the forms to the chair of the DSA committee 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The committee is to review the nominations and make but ONE recommendation to the HOD. The HOD may make no additional nominations. No one holding office is eligible. The committee must agree on a nominee by two-thirds vote, and the HOD requires a two-thirds vote of approval.

The DSA is presented to the recipient at the next year’s annual meeting. The individuals honored by ASA have been prestigious and diverse. The list is composed of individuals who exemplify the many attributes of ASA and its members. The awardees exemplify the values and qualities esteemed by ASA. The truly distinguished physicians who have been awarded the DSA are listed on page 18 in chronological order.
These individuals represent physicians who excel in the specialty of anesthesiology. Each has an outstanding quality or qualities recognized by his/her peers. There is no finer tribute than to be so honored by your fellow anesthesiologists. Today, as it was yesterday, the awardees are selected as the best of the best; the list continues to grow. The additions give testimony to the continual striving to advance the specialty. Through their efforts, the awardees have provided an environment to foster the development of the safest care available for patients who require anesthesia.

The practice of anesthesiology is the practice of medicine, the basis of the specialty. The next 100 years will echo the past accomplishments of the DSA group. They are the future’s foundation. The specialty continues to advance to higher levels by standing on the shoulders of the accomplished members of ASA. While not all members are recipients of the DSA, many provide distinguished service for their patients and their Society. All members can be proud of the established tradition.

The author wishes to thank Karen Bieterman of the Wood Library-Museum and Roy A. Winkler of the Communications Department for their assistance.

Paul J. Schaner, M.D., is ASA District Director of Pennsylvania and President of XYZ Anesthesia Billing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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