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In recognition of exemplary services, Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D. today received the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Distinguished Service Award. The award, presented during the association’s Annual Meeting, is the highest honor bestowed on an individual for lifetime achievements and service in the specialty of anesthesiology.
“ASA is pleased to present Dr. Lema with the Distinguished Service Award,” said ASA President Mark A. Warner, M.D. “Dr. Lema is highly respected by his colleagues for his many contributions to advance the specialty of anesthesiology and the Society. We thank him for his outstanding achievements in both scientific research and organized medicine.”
Dr. Lema is currently Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. He also is Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, as well as a board member for the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER).
A member of ASA since 1985, Dr. Lema has served in numerous leadership positions. He was ASA President in 2007 and ASA NEWSLETTER Editor from 1997 to 2003. He also has been active in several ASA committees and task forces. In addition to ASA, Dr. Lema was President of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists in 2000 and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine in 2004.
With more than 175 papers published in both basic research (muscle physiology) and clinical practice (pain management), Dr. Lema is a recognized expert in palliative care. He has lectured at more than 225 institutions around the world and was selected as treasurer of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists in 2010.
Dr. Lema received a doctorate in physiology from the University at Buffalo and then earned a medical degree at the Downstate Medical Center/State University of New York. He completed his internship at Staten Island Hospital in New York, followed by his residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he was awarded the Parker B. Francis Research Fellowship in Anesthesiology.
Dr. Lema and his wife, Suzanne, live in East Amherst, N.Y. They have three adult children.
THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Nominations for the Distinguished Service Award may be submitted by any ASA member or component society and are reviewed by the Committee on Distinguished Service Award. The nominated candidate must receive a two-thirds vote of more than 366 delegates seated in the ASA House of Delegates who represent more than 45,000 ASA members.
