I can at least predict the weather and yes San Antonio was chilly and rainy and those of us without an umbrella or rain jacket got a soaking. I think the SPA and CCAS should host a meeting in drought ridden sub-saharan Africa, where we can become the legendary “rainmakers”.
The San Antonio CCAS meeting drew a record number of participants at 245. Drs Emad Mossad and Anshuman Sharma get all the credit for organizing and selecting the content. The anatomy and TEE session, introduced in the CCAS for the 1st time was a great success. I liked the convenience of the CCAS syllabus on a USB key and the logo looks good too!! In this newsletter, Courtney Hardy, editor has included the highlights for those members who were unable to attend the meeting. Drs Mark Twite and Stuart Hall as co-editors have great ideas on education and please check the website for new material. For the 2011 winter meeting in San Diego, Drs Anshuman Sharma and Suanne Daves will be the program directors. We look forward to another outstanding meeting and hope to see many of you in San Diego.
The ranks of the CCAS have increased substantially. In March of 2007 we had 292 members (no trainees); currently that number is at 810, of whom 200 are trainees. Providing residents and fellows, who are SPA members, complimentary membership to the CCAS will payoff in the long run.
The CCAS component of the STS database has finally been launched. This is a testimonial to Dr David Vener’s vision, tenacity and enthusiasm. As an acknowledgement of his efforts, the CCAS presented Dr Vener with a plaque. If your surgeons are a part of the STS database, make a case with them for adding the anesthesia component to it. Patient outcomes are influenced by what we do and the only way to look at it objectively is through a database. Information on how to join and the fee structure can be obtained from the office of the STS and David has written a nice piece for this newsletter on how to become involved.
There are three board positions that will be vacant this fall. There are several excellent nominees on the list, some of whom have contributed significantly to the CCAS. Please take the time to look at their bios on the web and cast your vote. The last date for the election is July 30. Like elected officials elsewhere, the Board of Directors play an important role in the success of an organization, please take this seriously and cast your vote.
It has been a pleasure serving as your President. Thanks for the continued support of the CCAS.