Vital Times 2019 - 5

billing legislation. This is an ongoing issue for both
California and indeed the entire country. There is a
lot more information to be found on the CSA website,
CSAOF, and in the report from LPAD Chair Antonio
Hernandez Conte, MD, MBA. There is a lot more
to do in the coming year. Please stayed tuned and be
ready to help.

One of the many efforts the CSA has undertaken
is the New CSA Timeline produced by the CSA
Committee on History. This is a treasure trove
of artifacts, essays, and articles on the history of
anesthesia in California, and unique among State
Anesthesia Societies. There is also information on
an essay contest for residents, based on California
history and supported by the new CSA Education
Foundation. Knowledge of the past is vital to
anticipate the future!
Another major undertaking was the revamping of the
Practice Management Section of the CSA website.
This valuable resource is clearly laid out, easy to
navigate, and full of useful information for members
at all stages of their careers.

Drs. Anjana Kundu, Rita Agarwal, and Stephen Hays at
the AAP National Convention

We have tackled a wide variety of topics in our
wonderful CSAOF Blog, from the activities of the
FDA to the environmental impact of anesthesia
in the OR and the PACU, opioids, pain management,
the past, the present, and the future. Several have
been featured in this issue of Vital Times, but most
are worth re-reading.
As a long time education addict, my favorite part
of Vital Times is the Residency Reports. Eleven
remarkable programs submitted their reports this year.
It is inspiring to read what each is doing to educate
and train better anesthesiologists, better physicians,
and better human beings. Despite all the problems
and difficulties we face in medicine and healthcare,
knowing that California is producing these bright
young physicians is very reassuring.

The ASA meeting this year was a great success,
with many of our members speaking, presenting,
or moderating educational lectures, workshops,
and special sessions. Linda Mason, MD, FASA,
completed her successful year as ASA President,
making all Californians proud, and handed over her
responsibilities to Mary Dale Peterson, MD. The
Annual meeting was privileged this year by the
presence of United States Surgeon-General, Vice
Admiral Jerome Adams, MD, MPH. As the first
anesthesiologist to hold the position, Dr. Adams has
a unique perspective on the health needs of the people
of our great nation. He is a believer in collaboration
and building partnerships to tackle some of the
greatest problems facing Americans today, including
the opioid crisis, high drug prices, healthcare reform
and value-based care. Dr. Adams has a personal but
painful connection to the opioid crisis. He and his
brother grew up poor in rural Maryland. While
Dr. Adams went on to be extremely successful, his
brother developed an opioid addiction and is now
serving a 10-year prison sentence connected to
this addiction. He gave an amazing and inspiring
Rovenstine lecture on many of his initiatives.4

4 Christine Doyle. The Rovenstine Lecture, CSAOF Nov 4 2019

Annual Publication 2019 | 5
Vital Times 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vital Times 2019
