TSA President's
Update
Dr. Kronberg's address to the TSA 2010 House of Delegates
One of the highlights of this position and my first act is to congratulate Dr. Patrick Giam on the outstanding job he did over the last year.
I want to thank the Delegates, Alternate Delegates, members, honored guests, TSA staff, friends and family. It is an honor to be here this afternoon. It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of the many great leaders of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
These are interesting times. As physicians and anesthesiologists, we are members of a trusted and respected profession. Unfortunately, the POLITICS of medicine intrudes on our primary focus, that of patient care.
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Medicine is under attack. Health care reform is now the law of the land. Over 2000 pages of legislation will be distilled into countless thousands of pages of rules and regulations…only to be followed by hundreds of thousands of pages of interpretation and explanation. The cost of this legislation at the federal and state level is almost beyond comprehension. I don’t think the water has ever been muddier. The ASA and TSA leadership will do all they can to clear the water.
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Our specialty is under attack. Recent articles and editorials from the Wall Street Journal and the NY Times reflect on a study sponsored by the AANA published in Health Affairs. This study describes the safety of “unsupervised” nurse anesthesia. Analysis by the ASA has pointed out many flaws in the study, yet this non-peer reviewed document has seen wide publicity. Will any more states opt out of supervision as a result?
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Our pharmaceuticals are under attack. We have been faced with shortages of drugs that are vital to our contemporary practice of anesthesiology. A recent editorial in the NEJM made mention of the shortages of propofol, succinylcholine and several other medications. The FDA has no authority over drug companies in the timing of the manufacture of a specific drug; however, in the case of propofol, the FDA through regulation allowed the import of Propoven. What drug will be shorted next?
We must respond to these challenges and leadership is the answer.
Leadership is influence…the ability to influence a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. John Quincy Adams said: “a leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.” In the health care arena, each of us is a leader, set the best example that you can. Some of you may aspire to leadership positions…some of you may just be placed in those positions. Knowledge of the issues is essential. Get involved.
Our patients listen to us; trust us and expect us to provide the best and safest care possible. Use this opportunity to educate the public. Our surgical and other professional colleagues value our opinion and expertise. Use this opportunity to inform them of our issues. Our elected legislators come from all walks of life. Help them understand OUR issues with educational discussions.
There is leadership opportunity in hospital medical staff membership. In a rapidly changing health care environment, this is essential. Hospitals are being placed under pressure to consolidate, purchase physician practices, and incorporate new entities such as Accountable Care Organizations. Staying abreast of these changes is vital to your practice. Bylaws modifications can have a profound effect on hospital privileges and practices. Stay tuned in. Committee involvement exposes other physicians to our specialty and our views on health care and hospital affairs.
Your presence here indicates your involvement with the TSA. Participation in your county medical society may open doors to other venues of leadership possibilities such as the Texas Medical Association.
The TSA, ASA, and TMA provide excellent resources to help you educate your colleagues on the issues.
Ralph Nader said: “the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”. We need you as the leaders to recruit the future leaders of our Society. New physicians in your group can be mentored into participating in all the activities of the TSA, TSA committees, ASA, TMA, medical staff, and community volunteerism.
I would like to challenge each of you to recruit a new member of our specialty. Help them understand the importance of involvement in organized medicine.
THESE ARE INTERESTING TIMES. GET INVOLVED. If YOU, if WE, do not get involved, if WE do not LEAD the politics of Anesthesiology, we become victims of somebody else's political agenda.
In closing, I would like to thank some folks who have provided support and guidance. My group, Capitol Anesthesiology Association; Jimmy McMichael, partner, mentor and dining guru on the DC trips; John Zerwas (appointed me to my first TSA committee as chair). Thanks to the great legislative team: Jaime Capelo, Dr. Kyle Janek, and Linda Adkins. A special thanks to Chris, Dawn, Selina and the TSA staff…they are truly the hidden engines that keep this meeting and our Society running. Finally, the most important person in my life, my wife, Sharon has been an inspiration to me and has supported my activities for all these years.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve. I will carry out my responsibilities to you and the TSA to the best of my ability. I am ready to face the challenges of the upcoming legislative year. Are YOU? Come and join us for Anesthesia Day at the Capitol… and First Tuesdays (TMA).GREGORY M. KRONBERG, MD
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