ASA Commemorates Doctors Day 2010
Recognizing the dedication and commitment of anesthesiologists to improve the field of anesthesiology and patient safety
Chicago —
(March 30, 2010)
CHICAGO – (March 30, 2010) The American Society of Anesthesiologists
joins communities across the United States today to recognize Doctors
Day 2010, a day with a special tie to anesthesiology.
While physicians in all specialties are
honored, Doctors Day was first observed in recognition of the efforts
of one physician whose endeavors relate specifically to the specialty
of anesthesiology.
Doctors Day marks the date that Crawford W.
Long, M.D., of Jefferson, GA, administered the first ether anesthetic
for surgery on March 30, 1842. On that day, Dr. Long administered ether
anesthesia to a patient and then operated to remove a tumor from the
man’s neck. Later, the patient would swear that he felt nothing during
the surgery and wasn’t aware the surgery was over until he awoke
Doctors Day celebrates Dr. Long’s historic
achievement and the continued efforts of physicians to alleviate human
suffering and improve patient safety.
“Without the efforts of Dr. Long, the
miracles of modern medicine and surgery as we know them would not
exist,” said ASA president Alexander Hannenberg, M.D.
“Anesthesiologists have continued to make medical and research advances,
creating a specialty comprised of highly trained physicians whose
track record in advancing patient safety is unparalleled.”
Today's anesthesiologists are innovators in
their field, continuing a long tradition of advancing the practice of
modern medicine. Even after residency training is completed, they
continue studying new medical advances and anesthetic techniques, so
that every patient experience can be safer than the next. Research and
training are conducted in subspecialty areas of anesthesia practice
including obstetrics, critical care, pediatrics, cardiac surgery and
pain medicine.
On Doctors Day, ASA encourages its members
educate to colleagues, patients and the public about Doctors Day and
the contributions of anesthesiologists to the safety and well-being of
patients.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Anesthesiologists: Physicians providing the Lifeline of Modern Medicine TM. Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association with more than 50,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.
For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists website at www.asahq.org.
For patient information, visit
LifeLineToModernMedicine.com
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