A message from our President…
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine– and shadows will fall behind you.” ― Walt Whitman
| The sentiments expressed by Walt Whitman in the above quote are ones that could serve us well each day as we care for our patients and our profession. The challenges of practicing medicine today can be intimidating and the burdens, at times, overwhelming. While it is often difficult to retain a sense of optimism in the face of life’s daily trials, I think that the simple act of turning our faces to the sun symbolizes the hope and the strength that comes from the power of positive thinking. It is most important, especially during difficult days, to check in with our colleagues and co-workers to ensure that they are safely navigating the stresses of work and life. Be there to offer a helping hand or a kind ear and support one another so that no one ever feels they must walk their steps alone. On November 17, representatives of the NYSSA gave testimony at a combined hearing of the New York state Assembly standing committees on health, labor and higher education. This full-day hearing, with almost 25 speakers representing many stakeholders, was called to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery and on the healthcare workforce in New York state. Dr. Chantal Pyram-Vincent, chair of the NYSSA Committee on Professional Diversity, and I testified about the common themes we have heard since the beginning of the crisis. We spoke of the true heroism of our members and the critical nature of the work we do caring for the sickest patients every day. We noted the important efforts of our nurse anesthesia colleagues and reinforced our unwavering commitment to physician-led anesthesia practice in New York, supporting the benefits of the care team model as the gold standard for ensuring patient safety. Finally, we reminded the legislators of the significant emotional burden that the pandemic has placed on our physicians and requested that serious efforts be made to help ease those burdens in the days and months to come. Our primary goal was to urge the sunsetting of Gov. Hochul’s Executive Order No. 4, issued September 27 and renewed at the end of October, which once again gave independent practice rights to CRNAs in all New York facilities. We believe this executive order is not in the best interest of our patients, and we will continue to press our case with the argument that this provision is completely unnecessary in the current environment. I would like to take a moment to wish every NYSSA member a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. This is such a uniquely American holiday, rooted in the universal sentiment of gratitude, and is a time for each one of us to pause and reflect on how much we should be thankful for, even if we are amid life’s many challenges. May your holiday be filled with warmth and joy and a renewed sense of purpose for the future. This will be my last president’s message to the members of the NYSSA. I hope that you have found them to be informative and valuable. I have greatly enjoyed communicating with you via these letters and am very grateful for the opportunity to have led this organization, especially during these extraordinary times. During the House of Delegates meeting on December 12, Dr. Ted Kim from NYU will assume the role of NYSSA president, and I will join the distinguished group of past presidents. I know that I speak for all when I offer my best wishes for Dr. Kim’s success as he transitions into this new role, and I feel confident that a bright future is ahead under his very capable leadership. I want to leave you with this sensitive and beautiful verse by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature. While Tagore’s words may be culturally suggestive of a different era (I would be sure to bid goodbye to my brothers AND sisters!), his sentiments remain timeless and moving. As we move the NYSSA forward and work together to meet whatever new challenges will most certainly come in the days ahead, please know that I have been honored beyond measure to have served as your president. I thank each member of the society for all your support this past year and for all you do on behalf of our profession and our patients each day. 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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