Leadership, Learning & Legacy at the ASA Annual Meeting
The University of Minnesota Department of Anesthesiology had a strong and visible presence at this year’s American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas; one of the largest and most influential gatherings in our specialty. From landmark lectures and scholarly presentations to historical reflections and alumni celebrations, our faculty, trainees, and students played key roles throughout the meeting.
The highlight of the final day and one of the most prestigious honors of the entire conference was Dr. Joyce Wahr’s selection as the speaker for the John W. Severinghaus Lecture. Her talk, “It’s Not Your Fault! The Cognitive Basis of Error,” drew a large audience and tackled the critical topic of how human cognitive processes contribute to medical error. This keynote positioned Dr. Wahr at the center of national conversations about safety, systems thinking, and translational anesthesiology.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Melissa Coleman, President of the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology, served as moderator for the “History Panel Part 1: Old Tales Retold—Fresh Takes on Anesthesiology Pioneers,” a session that both honored our field’s rich legacy and examined it through a modern lens. Dr. Coleman’s leadership in highlighting the importance of our profession’s past continues to enrich our future.
Resident & Trainee Excellence on Display
The next generation of anesthesiology leaders made an impressive showing at the national conference, with several residents, medical students, and even an undergraduate researcher delivering high-impact presentations in medically challenging cases and research sessions.
- Dr. Francine Moriguchi presented a complex liver transplant case involving an aortic root and ascending aortic aneurysm.
- Dr. Alexia Gagliardi delivered a compelling case with practical lessons in intraoperative management.
- Dr. Sydney Tran shared a case involving an intracardiac thrombus during a liver transplant, a rare and high-stakes scenario.
- Dr. Hiro Kanazawa presented on an urgent pulmonary valve replacement after TPVR migration, showcasing quick thinking and interdisciplinary coordination.
Our medical students and undergraduate students also stood out for their professionalism, depth of knowledge, and engagement:
- Ahmad Zaro and Kylie Kraemer each presented medically challenging case reports, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the national dialogue on complex perioperative care.
- Isaac Viss shared unique and thoughtful insights on careful diagnostic reasoning and collaboration with clinical teams.
- Thomas Cameron shared a quality improvement initiative promoting eco-friendly and cost-effective Propofol use.
- Grace Wang, an undergraduate student affiliated with the department, presented her work on NIH career development awards in anesthesiology, a topic that speaks to future research funding, equity, and access in academic careers.
This level of participation from students at all stages of training is a testament to the department’s dedication to mentorship and scholarly growth. The ASA meeting offered them not just a stage, but a launching point.
In addition to formal lectures and research presentations, many of our faculty served as session moderators and discussion facilitators, contributing their expertise to key conversations on critical care, pain management, perioperative medicine, and more. This year’s meeting placed a strong emphasis on interactive learning and dialogue and our faculty rose to the occasion, helping shape the educational experience for thousands of attendees.
Celebrating Alumni & Past Colleagues
A signature moment of the weekend came on Saturday, October 11, when the department hosted the JJ Buckley Alumni Reception, a cherished tradition where alumni, current and former faculty, residents, and friends of the department gathered to reconnect. The festive evening was filled with meaningful conversations, shared memories, and celebration of the department’s legacy. The reception serves to continue our department’s close-knit community and commitment to lifelong relationships in academic medicine.
The ASA Annual Meeting once again proved to be an invaluable space for sharing ideas, advancing clinical practice, and celebrating the contributions of our department. We are proud of every student, resident, fellow, and faculty member who represented the University of Minnesota at the annual conference.
