VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1

were held from 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM also at the Convention Center. Dr. Giam was the only member of the Texas Delegation to serve on a 2013 Reference Committee (on Finance).

On Monday, October 14th the ASA Distinguished Service Award for 2012 was presented to Dr. Jeffrey Cooper, PhD. for his work and long career at Harvard and MGH on quality and patient safety. Dr. K.A. Kelly McQueen presented the M. Greene, M.D. Outstanding Humanitarian Contribution Award to Dr. George Gregory for his work with Interplast, the international group providing plastic and reconstructive surgery in developing countries.

The 2013 Rovenstine Lecture was given by the above-mentioned Dr. John Neeld, Former ASA President and longtime Chair of the ASA Delegation to the AMA. The title of his talk was “Winning the War” and after recounting important ASA leaders who mentored him, he spoke about the need of the ASA and our members to vigorously confront the attacks by “nurse anesthetists” on physician led anesthesia care.

This “war” is being led by the lesser licensed, ill-informed politicians and misguided regulators who use conformation bias and pseudoscience to advance the agenda of substituting education and training for fiat. He finished his talk by recommending that the ASA commit $1 million to wage this “war” and insure the best care for our patients going forward.

The Texas Delegation met again on Tuesday, October 15th at 1:05 PM in Caucus to review the recommendations of the Reference Committees, the pending contested elections and to discuss the upcoming House of Delegates on Wednesday. The Texas Caucus adjourned at 2:25 PM.

Dr. Mark Singleton, Caucus Chair reconvened the Western Caucus at 3:05 PM. Dr. Charles Anderson, Chair of Caucus Candidates Committee went over the rules changes regarding the composition of the Committee. The Caucus formally endorsed Dr. Dan Cole for 2014 election to the office of President-Elect.

Dr. Singleton then introduced the two announced Western Caucus candidates for future elections to the ASA. Dr. Pat Giam began by announcing his intent to run for Assistant Speaker most likely in 2016 when the office comes vacant should Dr. Ron Harter move up to Speaker. Next, Dr. Linda Mason announced her intent to run for 1st Vice President also in 2016.

Lastly, the members reviewed the reports of the Reference Committee on the HOD Handbook with debate and discussion on those items that generated controversy on Sunday.

The Speaker, Dr. Steve Sween reconvened the House of Delegates at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, October 16th.

The Session began with balloting for the DSA. Dr. Neeld received the necessary 2/3 House of Delegates ballots for the Distinguished Service Award. This award will be presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Election results were as follows: