VOLUME 37, ISSUE 2
Russell K. McAllister, M.D., FASA
TSA Secretary and Editor-in-Chief
Chair-Baylor Scott & White Health-Central Division
Professor of Anesthesiology-Baylor College of Medicine-Temple
Temple, TX
All Anesthesiology Roads Lead to Texas in 2025
As I discussed in our winter issue of the TSA Newsletter, this is a big year for anesthesiology in Texas. There is much to be celebrated this year that is the fruition of many years of hard work among our TSA leaders. The ASA meeting finally returns to Texas and will be in the great city of San Antonio. Leading the effort to plan the events of the annual meeting is our own TSA President-Elect, Dr. Elizabeth Rebello. To say she has had a busy year would be quite an understatement. Everyone is very excited to welcome the nation and the world to our home state so they can enjoy what we have to offer. The fact that Dr. Patrick Giam will be installed as the ASA President and Dr. John Zerwas will receive the ASA’s Distinguished Service Award are icing on the cake for this wonderful week in October. I hope that many Texans will make their way to the San Antonio Riverwalk to enjoy the ASA’s largest annual event. It should be a very special time for our TSA members.
Dr. Ray Callas accepting
the role of TMA President
On a sad note, the TSA recently announced the passing of James F. Arens, MD. Dr. Arens was one of the most influential leaders in the history of the TSA. He served our missions in so many different aspects. He was an educator, serving as academic chair at five different residency programs and served as the President of the American Board of Anesthesiology. He led in clinical care, having the American Board of Anesthesiologistscertificate number “one” for critical care board certification. He led organized medicine, serving as President for the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the American Board of Medical Specialties. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the TSA, ASA, ABMS, and the American Medical Association. A career of leadership as remarkable as his may never be seen again. More about Dr. Arens’ legacy can be found in an article written by Dr. Scott Kercheville that was part of our “On the Shoulders of Giants” history series. It can be found at the following link: https://tsa.org/newsletter/july-2020/page-3/
The TSA also reports the passing of other distinguished leaders from our society. World renowned pain physician Gábor B. Rácz, MD also passed this summer. Dr. Racz was well known for his innovative work in the field of pain medicine. He led the interventional pain program at the Texas Tech Pain Institute and, in 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Racz was also featured in our history series and you can read more about his accomplishments by following this link: newsletter/january-2020
Additionally, the TSA learned of the passing of another great leader from our past, Dr. Robert P. Viles. Dr. Viles practiced in the Houston area and was very active within the TSA, eventually rising to the role of TSA President. He would later receive the TSA Distinguished Service Award. The passing of these three great leaders in such a brief period is a huge loss for our society. They are all remembered fondly and will be greatly missed.
Later this year, our long time Executive Director of the TSA, Christina Bacak, will be retiring from that role. She has been an integral part of the TSA for over 24 years in this role. In this issue, you will find an article by Dr. Scott Kercheville honoring her service to our society. The TSA welcomes Kim Ross into the role as our new Executive Director. I hope that many can attend the TSA Annual Meeting in San Antonio in order to wish Chris Bacak well and to get to meet Kim Ross.
I am excited for you to read the summer edition of the TSA Newsletter. I believe that it has something of interest for all of our members. We continue our “On the Shoulders of Giants” history series by honoring Buddy Giesecke, Jr. M.D. His legacy is well told by Dr. Amy Woods in this 16th feature of the series. Dr. Kristyn Ingram has an article that outlines how the new TSA logo came about. Anna Allred and Adam Moore have put great efforts into organizing the TSA Annual Meeting and both have articles outlining some of the new features of the meeting.
Our inaugural TSA Resident Scholars have come together to give a summary of their experience with the TSA during the legislative session. I think you will all be impressed to hear about their experiences helping engage with our legislators on behalf of the TSA. Dr. Craig Lilie presents an update on the status of the Texas anesthesiology residency programs with regard to resident numbers and identifying the program leaders. In the clinical arena, we have an update from leaders within the sleep medicine subspecialty, Drs. Bhargavi Gali and Girish Joshi. Dr. Christian Horazeck gives some insight into the nomenclature changes that have occurred with regards to truncal blocks. This can be a very confusing topic and he does a great job of explaining the new nomenclature and the justification for the change. Dr. Joshua Cohen gives an in-depth look into the role of cerebral oximetry in our clinical practice. Teams led by Dr. Riley Hedin have two more additions to the “Vein to Vein” series on transfusion medicine that are very helpful. Finally, I take a lighthearted look at corporate buzzwords that have become popular and provide a tongue-in-cheek approach to interpreting their possible meanings. To round out the newsletter, a summary of actions by the TSA Board of Directors, proposed bylaws, and information on new members can also be found in this edition.
I thank you for taking the time to explore the diverse offerings found in this edition of the TSA Newsletter.
Dr. Tillmann Hein accepting the 2024 ASA Bertram
Coffer Award for excellence in advocacy from
ASA President Dr. Ron Harter
