American Society of Anesthesiologists Honors John M. Zerwas, M.D., FASA, with Distinguished Service Award

SAN ANTONIO — The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) today presented John M. Zerwas, M.D., FASA, with its 2024 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his enduring contributions to the specialty as an accomplished advocate, mentor and teacher, successfully blending a career in medicine with a career in politics for more than four decades. The award is the highest honor ASA bestows and is presented annually to a member who has transformed the specialty of anesthesiology.

Dr. Zerwas is chancellor of The University of Texas (UT) System in Austin, Texas, leading a system of public higher education, composed of 13 academic and health institutions, which serve more than 256,000 students, including premier research universities and nationally top-ranked hospitals.

During his time in clinical practice, he has been recognized for his work in trauma and emergency preparedness. Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Dr. Zerwas to the Supply Chain Strike Force to assist with hospital and health care preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He also served as co-chair on the governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas and the state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation panel, helping to lead the state’s response.

Dr. Zerwas held numerous positions within ASA where he made significant contributions. In addition to serving as ASA president from 2012-2013, he also served as ASA treasurer and assistant treasurer, as well as on several ASA committees. Dr. Zerwas was chair of the Committee on Quality Management and Departmental Administration. During his time as chair, the committee defined the different levels of anesthesia care. He also served on the Committee on Practice Management and the ASA Political Action Committee Board.

“Dr. Zerwas is deserving of the Distinguished Service Award for his long-time contributions to medicine. He is known for his commitment to education and mentoring. While serving in the Texas legislature, Dr. Zerwas worked to expand access to higher education and graduate medical education,” said ASA President Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA. “Many of our members are grateful for his mentorship, which has empowered colleagues throughout the Society to serve and lead. I congratulate Dr. Zerwas on receiving this award and thank him for his outstanding service to ASA, our specialty and our patients.”

In addition to his roles within ASA and in clinical practice, Dr. Zerwas pursued a career in politics. Prior to joining the UT System, he served for seven legislative terms in the Texas House of Representatives. He served 11 years on the Texas House Appropriations Committee — three as chairman and six as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. He also served as chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education from 2015-2016, where he advocated to increase access to higher education and grow opportunities for graduate medical education, and was a member of the House Committee on Public Health and the Legislative Budget Board.

He’s earned many accolades for his dedication to public service, including being twice named one of the "Ten Best Legislators" by Texas Monthly, a Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Houston's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and "BIO Legislator of the Year" by Biotechnology Industry Organization for writing key legislation that preserves patient access to innovative and cost-effective biologic medicines in Texas.

Dr. Zerwas received The Dr. Chuck Bauer Award from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (2022), recognizing his contributions to emergency management through health care and instructional preparedness. He received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society Action Network (2019), the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service (2020), and the CPRIT Texans Conquer Cancer Award (2023).

Dr. Zerwas graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his internship in general surgery and residency in anesthesiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He was certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in 1987.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually for outstanding clinical, educational or scientific achievement, contribution to the specialty and/or exemplary service to the Society. ASA’s House of Delegates establishes policies governing the selection of a recipient for the Distinguished Service Award.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 59,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future. ASA is committed to ensuring anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of all patients before, during, and after surgery. ASA members also lead the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units, as well as treat pain in both acute and chronic settings.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about how anesthesiologists help ensure patient safety, visit asahq.org/madeforthismoment. Join the #ANES25 conversation on social media. Follow ASA on Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky and LinkedIn.

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