Candidates for 2025-2026 Resident Scholar Program Selected

ASA is pleased to recognize and congratulate the upcoming participants in the Anesthesiology Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs, also known as the Resident Scholar program. Six exceptional anesthesiology residents have been chosen for the 2025-2026 Resident Scholar program, an ABA-approved rotation that enables CA-3 or fellowship year resident physicians to gain hands-on experience in Washington, DC with the political, legislative, and regulatory aspects influencing patient care.

The selected residents for the 2025-2026 cohort are Zachary Meade, MD, Alexander Meshel, MD, Shannon Paquette, MD, Abigail Schirmer, MD, Hank Spellman, MD, MBA, and Taylor Vega, MD, MCR. These residents were chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool based on their involvement in measurable advocacy activities, regional representation, program representation, and a personal interview. Brief biographies of our selected Resident Scholars are provided below:

Selected Residents:

Zachary Meade, MD

Currently serving in the US Navy, Dr. Meade is a CA-2 resident at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Dr. Meade previously worked as a bomb squad technician for eight years and is a member of the ASA Grassroots Network and an ASAPAC supporter. He is passionate about advancing equitable access to high-quality anesthesia services for all patients, both in military and civilian contexts.

Alexander Meshel, MD
Dr. Meshel is a CA-2 resident at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. He is the upcoming President of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists’ (NYSSA) Resident and Fellows Section and has attended ASA’s LEGCON. He is also an ASAPAC supporter. Dr. Meshel is passionate about increasing resident engagement with ASA advocacy initiatives and looks forward to taking what he learns in Washington, DC back to his home state and institution.

Shannon Paquette, MD
Dr. Paquette is a CA-2 resident at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is an active member of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists (TSA), currently serving as the Resident Component Chair and a Governmental Affairs Committee Advisory Member. Dr. Paquette has attended ASA’s LEGCON and TSA Days at the Capitol. She is a member of the ASA Grassroots Network and an ASAPAC supporter. She has a strong interest in learning how to develop key contact relationships with lawmakers and protecting patients’ insurance coverage of critical perioperative services.

Abigail Schirmer, MD
Dr. Schirmer is a CA-2 resident at the University of Florida. She is the President of the ASA Resident Component and previously served as President of the ASA Medical Student Component. She has attended Florida Society of Anesthesiologists’ (FSA) Legislative Days, ASA’s LEGCON, and is an ASAPAC supporter. Dr. Schirmer is passionate about Safe VA Care, increasing trainee engagement in advocacy, and will pursue fellowship training to specialize as a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist following her residency. 

Hank Spellman, MD, MBA

Dr. Spellman is a CA-2 resident at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He is an active member of the ASA Grassroots Network and an ASAPAC supporter. Dr. Spellman has served in leadership roles at various institutions, including the New Mexico Medical Society and the American Medical Association Medical Student Section. He is passionate about preserving physician-led anesthesia care and physician payment reform.

Taylor Vega, MD, MCR

Dr. Vega attended medical school at Oregon Health and Science University and is currently a CA-2 resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She is a member of the ASA Grassroots Network, an ASAPAC supporter, and has attended ASA’s LEGCON. Dr. Vega has a strong interest in health policy and is passionate about addressing substance use and physician payment reform.

Since 2010, the ASA Resident Scholar program has been instrumental in developing resident physician knowledge in advocacy and policy. The program currently has 71 alumni who have developed a comprehensive understanding of health care politics and policy and have remained involved in key ASA advocacy initiatives. Residents interested in gaining first-hand experience in a political environment are encouraged to apply. The application for the 2026-27 year will open in December 2025.