Approximately 50 members of SOAP attended the Open Forum, which was held in Dallas on Sunday, October 10, during the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). For three hours we engaged in a cordial, collegial, and productive discussion regarding the recommendations of the SOAP Long-Range Planning Committee. The excellent attendance and enthusiastic participation - despite an inconvenient time and location - reflect the good health of SOAP. Would 50 members of any other anesthesia subspecialty society attend an 0700 meeting on a Sunday morning to discuss bylaws changes?
The Board of Directors subsequently met for almost five hours on Monday, October 11. The Board has revised its earlier recommendations regarding changes in the bylaws of our Society. The revised recommendations are clearly outlined and discussed by the Chair of the Bylaws Committee, Dr. Mark Norris, elsewhere in this Newsletter. Perhaps the most important revision is that the Board of Directors now recommends that we not change the name of SOAP. Accordingly, a revised name will not be presented at the annual business meeting in Montreal. However, we want to be certain that everyone has a voice in this discussion. Thus, we will ask the membership to vote as to whether the Board should continue discussion of a name change for our Society.
I should also like to report other business conducted by the Executive Committee (on Saturday, October 9) and the Board of Directors (on Monday, October 11). First - and most important - I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has recommended that SOAP give a Distinguished Service Award each year, beginning with the 2000 annual meeting in Montreal. I am especially pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has unanimously voted to give the first SOAP Distinguished Service Award to our beloved colleague and friend, Dr. Gertie Marx. This morning I informed Gertie of this awardf and I was moved by her response. I have asked Dr. Gerry Bassell to write a tribute to Gertie, which will be published in the Spring Newsletter. We will present the Distinguished Service Award to Gertie at the annual meeting banquet in Montreal and I encourage each member of SOAP to attend. It will be a special occasion.
Dr. Patsy Dailey, SOAP's delegate to the ASA House of Delegates, is also a member of the ASA Committee on Performance and Outcomes Measurement (formerly known as the Committee on Performance-Based Credentialing). At Patsy's suggestion, the Board of Directors has voted to appoint an ad hoc SOAP Committee on Performance and Outcomes Measurement. I have asked Dr. Eddie Molina-Lamas to chair this ad hoc committee. Assessment of competence and performance and maintenance of certification are critical issues that will receive increased attention from specialty societies and boards during the next decade. It is important that SOAP be "at the table" as these issues are discussed.
As President of SOAP, it was my privilege to moderate the SOAP-Sol Shnider Breakfast Panel on Wednesday morning during the ASA annual meeting. The theme of the panel was "New Techniques and Drugs in Obstetric Anesthesia." Drs. Val Arkoosh, Bob D'Angelo, Larry Reisner, and Ed Riley each made a superb presentation and represented SOAP well. Audience interest was high, as evidenced by the fact that the room was full and almost everyone remained for the duration of the discussion which continued for 20 minutes beyond the appointed time.
I should also like to call your attention to several elections that will be held at the annual business meeting in Montreal. Specifically, I should like to solicit your nominations for the offices of Second Vice-President, Secretary, ASA Alternate Delegate, and 2004 Meeting Host. Please remember that the Second Vice-President will serve as President of SOAP beginning at the end of the 2003 annual meeting.
In addition, I am sorry to announce that Dr. Gerry Burger, who has served as Newsletter Editor for the last three years, has submitted his resignation, effective May, 2000. Gerry has done an outstanding job as Newsletter Editor and I hope that you will join me in expressing heartfelt gratitude for his excellent work. I should like to solicit your nominations for his replacement. The Newsletter Editor is appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Finally, I hope that each of you will make plans now to attend the 32nd annual meeting in Montreal. It promises to be a great meeting. Let's fill the banquet hall for the presentation of the first SOAP Distinguished Service Award to Gertie Marx.
David H. Chestnut, M.D.