SAMBA Celebrating 20 Years!
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A look at the past...

The following is an excerpt taken from A Vision of the Future Arriving: A History of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (Ambulatory Surgery 1993; 1: 77-79. Beverly K. Philip, M.D.)

In 1984, Dr. Bernard V.Wetchler raised the question, ''Do you feel the time is right to start an ambulatory anesthesia society?'' At the second annual Symposium on Anesthesia for Ambulatory Surgery sponsored by the Medical College of Virginia, Drs.Wetchler, Burton S. Epstein and Surinder K. Kallar prepared a list of anesthesiologists who were invited to a meeting to discuss the formation of a Society for Ambulatory Surgery Anesthesia.

This formative meeting was held during the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 29, 1984. Twenty anesthesiologists were present and provided input on the formation of the new society. A bylaws committee was formed chaired by the late Dr. Stanley Bresticker, as was a nominating committee chaired by Dr. Herbert D.Weintraub and an administrative assistance committee chaired by Dr. George Rector. Dr. Richard Keenan volunteered the Department of Anesthesia at the Medical College of Virginia to serve as the Society's office. Dr. Surinder Kallar was elected Secretary pro tem, and Dr. Bernard Wetchler was elected President pro tem.

In April 1985, a meeting of the fledgling society was held during the third annual symposium in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Stanley Bresticker proposed the name Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) and this was approved. Proposed bylaws and the formation of a newsletter were reviewed and accepted. The first slate of officers consisted of: President Dr. Bernard V. Wetchler; President-Elect Dr. Burton S. Epstein; First Vice President Dr. Beverly K. Philip; Second Vice President Dr. Paul F. White.; Secretary Dr. Surinder K. Kallar, M.D.; Treasurer Dr. Stanley Bresticker; At Large Members of the Board were Dr. Harry C.Wong, Dr. Randolph M. Jackson, Dr. Herbert D.Weintraub and Dr.Wallace A. Reed.

Charter membership was solicited in 1985; by July, SAMBA had 52 charter members and by October, 161 charter members. The Society's first educational meeting was held in conjunction with the Medical College of Virginia's program in April, 1986 and has been held annually since. The first edition of the Society newsletter 'Ambulatory Anesthesia' appeared in January, 1986, with Dr. Paul White as Editor. By October, 1986, there were 482 anesthesiologist members as well as four commercial benefactors.

...All in all, the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia has experienced strong growth and development. It has achieved major milestones towards its goals and missions. Through SAMBA's efforts, ambulatory anesthesia has gained acceptance as a recognized subspecialty. The Society has grown to over 2,000 members. This parallels the growth of ambulatory anesthesia and surgery, which have become the majority of procedures being done in the USA today.We look forward to continued growth, both national and international.

View the entire story written by Dr. Philip.

© SOCIETY FOR AMBULATORY ANESTHESIA
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E-mail: samba@asahq.org