Congratulations, Winners of the Excellence in Government Awards

ASA congratulates the winners of the 2015 Excellence in Government Awards: Jeff T. Mueller, M.D., immediate past chair of the ASAPAC Executive Board and ASA Director for the Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists, and Rep. Dan Benishek, M.D. (R-MI-01). Both were honored for their exemplary contributions to the medical specialty of anesthesiology, its practitioners and patients.
 
The Bertram W. Coffer, M.D. Excellence in Government Award is awarded each year to one physician anesthesiologist in recognition of his or her contributions to the specialty that go above and beyond the call of duty to advance our legislative, political and regulatory priorities. Similarly, the Excellence in Government Award is awarded to a lawmaker who has shown a commitment to patient safety during his or her tenure in office.
 
The Dr. Bertram "Bert" W. Coffer Excellence in Government Award is presented in memory of one of the most active and impressive leaders our Society has ever known.  ASA honored Bert by making him the inaugural recipient of the ASA Excellence in Government Award, which is now named after him and his outstanding legacy.  Dr. Coffer served as an ASA Director from North Carolina for close to two decades.  He chaired the Committee on Governmental Affairs for many years and served on the ASAPAC Executive Board. Dr. Coffer encouraged and nurtured future leadership among his colleagues and residents that has served our profession extraordinarily well over the years.
 
Congratulations to Dr. Mueller and Rep. Benishek.