Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, M.D. Honored With Distinguished Service Award by the American Society of Anesthesiologists

In recognition of exemplary service, Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, M.D. today received the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Distinguished Service Award. The award, presented during the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2012 annual meeting, is the highest honor bestowed on an individual for lifetime achievement and service in the specialty of anesthesiology.

“On behalf of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, I am pleased to present Dr. Apfelbaum with the Distinguished Service Award,” said ASA President Jerry A. Cohen, M.D. “Dr. Apfelbaum has been a critical leader in anesthesiology. He was instrumental in the creation, modification and critical assessment of more than 50 percent of ASA’s standards, guidelines and policy statements related to patient care and safety.”

Dr. Apfelbaum was President of ASA in 2008 and currently serves as Chair of its Committee on Standards and Practice Parameters. He also was President of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists, the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia, the Society of Academic Anesthesiology Associations and the Association of Academic Anesthesiology Chairs. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities and is Vice Chair of the Illinois State Medical Licensing Board.

The author or co-author of more than 200 articles, abstracts and book chapters, Dr. Apfelbaum’s areas of interest include the use of short-acting, fast emergence anesthetics; practice standards, guidelines and parameters; postoperative pain management; and transfusion therapy. He has been a Visiting Professor at more than 80 international, national and regional conferences.

Dr. Apfelbaum received his medical training at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, followed by an internship at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Philadelphia. He then remained in Philadelphia and completed his residency and fellowship in ambulatory anesthesia and clinical research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

A strong advocate for patient safety, Dr. Apfelbaum is Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care, as well as Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Chicago Medical Center and the Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago.

Dr. Apfelbaum and his wife Carol, reside in Northbrook, Ill. and have two children.