2025 ASA Excellence in Government Award Winners

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) would like to congratulate the winners of the annual Excellence in Government Award, presented at LEGCON 2025. The Excellence in Government award recognizes legislative leaders who have exhibited exemplary dedication and contribution to the medical specialty of anesthesiology, its practitioners, and its patients.

• Arizona House Representative Beverly Pingerelli
• Virginia State Senator Mamie E. Locke

The ASA also congratulates the winners of the annual Bertram W. Coffer, MD Excellence in Government Award. This award recognizes outstanding work by ASA members on behalf of the specialty in advocacy and professional citizenship.

• Dr. Antonio Hernandez Conte
  • Dr. Conte has shown tremendous leadership in advocacy and professional citizenship by serving on the Committee on Governmental Affairs and chairing its task force on Advocacy Education. In this role, he created the Resident Advocacy Champion program and worked to expand the Resident Scholar program to the state level both in his home state and around the country. Dr. Conte builds relationships with lawmakers and political organizations to deepen their understanding of the specialty and the needs of its patients. He is also a Past President of the California Society of Anesthesiologists.
• Dr. Robert Hsiung
  • Dr. Hsiung has built valued relationships with federal and state lawmakers in his home state of Washington and has used those relationships to effectively advocate for access to safe, high quality anesthesia care for patients. Dr. Hsiung serves as Director of the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists. 

The American Society of Anesthesiologists would like to congratulate and thank these leaders for their advocacy and work to advance the specialty and its patients.