he Overseas Teaching Program was created in 1990 at the request of Nicholas M. Greene, M.D. Dr. Greene's vision for theASA via OTP was to support and encourage anesthesia training in existing programs in developing countries. The OTP philosophy is "give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime." OTP stresses teaching of teachers of  anesthesia care as opposed to a service function.

With the aid of the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research, over 90 volunteers have provided teaching coverage to two African anesthesia training programs since 1991. It was through Dr. Greene's personal experience that OTP decided to concentrate on Africa initially. The original OTP site was in Lusaka, Zambia. The program there, which started in 1991, was suspended in 1996 owing to a lack of commitment on the part of the Zambians. OTP has since been active in Tanzania, Ghana, and now in Rwanda.

The ASA-OTP, in conjunction with the WFSA, has also participated in workshops and seminars in Central America in past years.