A message from our President…
| As someone who tries to live life as an optimist, I can really appreciate the layers of meaning in this simple quote. The weather is beginning to change for the better in New York City and, in the flashes of warmth, one can sense that spring has finally arrived. At the NYSSA, work continues on many fronts in the service of our membership and, most importantly, our patients. Advocacy took center stage earlier this month as the NYSSA leadership participated in multiple efforts to advance our legislative agenda in the state Legislature. After a Zoom meeting with state Sen. Jim Gaughran from New York’s 5th District, Drs. Steven Schulman, Jonathan Gal, Stacey Watt, Dan Sajewski and I, along with Executive Director Stuart Hayman, Legislative Counsel Chuck Assini and lobbyist Bob Reid, all felt a renewed sense of confidence that Sen. Gaughran’s support and sponsorship of the “Safe Anesthesia for All” bill, our primary focus, would be forthcoming during this session. Along with the strong support of Brooklyn Democratic leader and 42nd District Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, we hope to use our upcoming “Virtual Legislative Day” to promote this codification of the anesthesia care team model and physician supervision in the operating room environment. The current turmoil in Albany surrounding the executive branch will continue to have an enormous impact on the political landscape. The state budget negotiations are beginning and our team at the Capitol is watching the developments with great interest. We will continue to monitor this process and all other legislation, determined to react immediately against any effort that seeks to negatively impact the outstanding care that New York anesthesiologists provide each day. MSSNY’s virtual Legislative Day was held on March 2 and was, by all accounts, a great success. I represented the NYSSA on a panel with other leaders of New York specialty societies, and there was significant attention paid to our position regarding scope of practice and the importance of physician-led anesthesia care in our state. The overarching theme of the day was to remind doctors in New York to work together to advocate for their profession and their patients, or else we risk much in the way of diminished professional autonomy and security. I will again encourage all NYSSA members to support the political action committees that serve your interests in Albany and Washington. ASAPAC and NYAPAC are the best options we have to unite our voices and serve as advocates for our patients and our profession in the corridors of power. The issues are critical and the battles are unceasing as we work to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the highest possible level of quality anesthesia care. Connecting with the membership has also been an important activity during the past weeks. The newly created Committee on Professional Diversity held a well-attended “Virtual Happy Hour,” with everyone having a splendid time. This committee also worked with the Committee on Women Physicians to disseminate an informational message recognizing International Women’s Day. By honoring past female anesthesiologists such as Gertie Marx, Virginia Apgar, and Sarah Joffe Glassman (the NYSSA’s first female president [1972]), this celebration served to remind everyone of the critical role played by women physician anesthesiologists in the growth of our specialty. Although it is still early in the year, the NYSSA’s physician leadership and executive staff are busy preparing for the diamond jubilee celebration of the PGA in December 2021. After the success of the virtual PGA last year, we continue to look for ways to expand our online offerings, and we are hopeful that we will be able to present an excellent in-person experience as well. Members of the Committee on Annual Sessions, under the leadership of Drs. Meg Rosenblatt and Linda Shore-Lesserson, are working closely with NYSSA leadership in this regard. Stay tuned for more detailed information to come. As the end of the month approaches, many of our members will be observing important religious holidays; I want to take a moment to wish all of you a joyous and blessed celebration filled with family and friends. May the optimist in each one of us, religious or not, be strengthened and eager to meet the challenges of the days ahead. Sincerely, Christopher Campese, M.D., M.A., M.S., FASA, CHCQM |
What is the NYSSA?
The New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA), is a community of approximately 3,600+ New York anesthesiologists. NYSSA actively advocates on behalf of both patients and physicians in formulating standards and guidelines, to advance the practice of anesthesiology. Together, NYSSA members provide a powerful and effective voice for our specialty in New York State.
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