VOLUME 37, ISSUE 1

Amr Abouleish, M.D., FASA

TSA President
Professor
Chief, Pediatric Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX

TSA President’s Address
Reflections and Goals: TSA at the Start of the New Year

As we welcome a new year, it is an ideal moment to reflect on the achievements of the past year and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of the year to come. For TSA, this reflection is especially significant. Since our annual meeting in September, TSA members and staff have been diligently working to advance the interests of our specialty and the patients we serve, setting a strong foundation for success in 2025.

As a dedicated TSA member, I firmly believe our organization’s top priorities are:

    1. Advocacy in Texas
    2. Annual Meeting
    3. Member Professional Development Opportunities

Advocacy in Texas

Physicians must lead the development and implementation of health policies. To achieve this, we need to advocate effectively for our patients and our specialty—this is the essence of advocacy.

With the Texas legislative session beginning this month, the TSA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC), chaired by Dr. Lisa Weiss, and the TSA Political Action Committee (PAC), chaired by Dr. John Scott, have been proactively building relationships with legislators during the fall election season. These efforts position TSA members to provide informed input on health policy during the session.

We are excited to welcome new talent to our Governmental Affairs staff: Richard Evans as Director and Natalia Ovcharenko as Assistant. A key event for advocacy this year is the TSA Anesthesiologists Days at the Capitol, scheduled for February 23-24 (Sunday and Monday). This event provides an excellent opportunity to engage with legislators and their staff, share facts, and address misinformation.

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) remains a vital partner in advocating for patient safety and promoting physician-led care in Texas. With our own Dr. Ray Callas serving as TMA president, I encourage all TSA members to join TMA if they haven’t already.

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting continues to evolve, thanks to the efforts of member-led committees and the support of TSA staff, led by Chris Bacak, alongside Judy Garcia-Bigger, Jessica Shepherd, and Claire Foster. This year, the focus is on creating a more interactive, educational, and enjoyable experience for attendees.

Committees contributing to this effort include the TSA Meeting Oversight Committee (Dr. Anna Allred, chair), the Education Committee (Dr. Michael Hofkamp, new chair), the Resident and Medical Student Education Committee (Drs. Travis Markham and Aditee Ambardekar, co-chairs), the Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Committee (Dr. Xuan Langridge, chair), and Professional Development (Dr. Chris Miller, chair).

Stay tuned for updates on this year’s meeting!

Member Professional Development Opportunities

TSA membership provides significant value through advocacy, the annual meeting, and opportunities for professional growth. Members can also enhance their skills and leadership through involvement in committees, communications, and collaborative efforts with organizations like TMA.

Our Communications Committee, led by Dr. Jaime Ortiz, updates members via the TSA website, social media, and our newsletter, edited by Dr. Russell K. McAllister. TSA staff also maintains daily member engagement and communication.

TSA also facilitates engagement with Texas government bodies. We are proud to have members in leadership roles, including Drs. Sherif Zaafran (Texas Medical Board President), Zach Jones (Texas Medical Board), Jeremie Perry (Texas Medical Disclosure Panel), Ray Callas (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation), and Tom Oliverson (State Representative).

TSA members are also prominent leaders in the ASA, with Drs. Pat Giam (ASA President-Elect), Crystal Wright (ASA Treasurer), George Williams (Director on the Board), and Elizabeth Rebello (chair of the ASA Annual Meeting Oversight Committee) serving in key roles.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for a busy and impactful 2025, the dedication and collaboration of our members and staff remain the foundation of TSA’s success. If you’re interested in getting involved, reach out to me at President@tsa.org. Together, we can continue to advocate for our specialty and patients while fostering growth and development within our profession.

 

Amr
Amr Abouleish, MD, MBA
TSA President 2024-2025