Voices of Leadership: A Current, Future, and Steady Perspective

Supporting Your Well-Being

Burnout is a growing concern for anesthesiologists and addressing this has been a priority for ASA. As ASA President Ronald L. Harter, MD, FASA, shared, “We launched the SafeHaven Program… for you and your family members to access confidential counseling, peer coaching, financial and legal resources, and concierge services.” This program has already helped more than 240 of our colleagues, and it continues to be a crucial resource for managing the demands of our profession. “The most rewarding aspect of my year as president has been hearing from you… and for giving me the tremendous honor of leading ASA,” said Dr. Harter, highlighting the importance of listening to and supporting the ASA community.

Advocating for Fairness and Physician-Led Care

ASA continues to fight for fair compensation and the preservation of physician-led care. Dr. Harter emphasized, “We successfully convinced Anthem to reverse that ill-conceived and irresponsible plan,” referring to ASA's success in pushing back against arbitrary insurance policies that would harm anesthesiologists. Incoming President Donald E. Arnold, MD, FACHE, FASA, shared his ongoing commitment to these efforts: “Together, we will continue to work for fair payment, fight the egregious behavior of big insurance companies, and preserve physician-led care that protects patient safety.” This collective effort is crucial in ensuring that anesthesiologists can provide the highest standard of care without unnecessary financial or regulatory barriers.

Building a Stronger Future Together

As we move forward, ASA remains focused on building a brighter future for all anesthesiologists. Dr. Arnold also reflected on ASA’s history of innovation and progress: “In each chapter of our ASA story, we have made progress and advanced our patient-serving and member-serving work… where challenges become catalysts for professional growth.” This focus on growth will be critical in addressing workforce issues and ensuring that future generations of anesthesiologists receive the resources and guidance they need. CEO Brian Reilly, MBA, CAE, emphasized ASA's commitment to ongoing relevance: “Looking ahead to the opportunities in front of us as a medical specialty society, they all ladder up to the concept of relevance—ensuring ASA remains relevant to its members every day.” This forward-thinking approach is what will keep ASA and our profession strong.

Learn More

For a deeper look into the thoughts and priorities of ASA's leadership, we encourage you to read the full messages from each of them:

• Message from the 2024 ASA President, Ronald L. Harter, MD, FASA
• Message from the Incoming ASA President, Donald E. Arnold, MD, FACHE, FASA
• Message from ASA CEO, Brian Reilly, MBA, CAE