Communications & Website Committee Report

by Shahzad Shaefi, MD, MPH
2024 | Summer Issue Newsletter
I am honored to provide the AUA Communications and Website Committee report for this newsletter at a pivotal time for the organization. First, I warmly welcome Dr. Dolores Njoku as the newly appointed President of the AUA. Dr. Njoku has long been an exemplary leader in our specialty, with a remarkable track record of contributions across key academic organizations. She succeeds Dr. George Mashour, and together they have shepherded important initiatives that reflect a deep cultural transformation within the AUA, focusing on increasing value for all members and positioning the Association within an independent, university-based framework once more. Dr. Njoku's leadership, alongside key Council members such as Drs. Mashour and Michael Avidan, was instrumental in the success of the 2024 AUA meeting held at Washington University, St. Louis.

In this issue, I invite you to read Dr. Njoku’s insightful President’s Message, alongside reports from the Board and an engaging article by Dr. Liz Duggan. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that the 2025 AUA Meeting will be hosted by Harvard’s Anesthesia Executive Committee in March, set in Boston’s prestigious Longwood Medical Area. This gathering promises to be a monumental event, featuring in-depth discussions, groundbreaking presentations, and collaboration opportunities for anesthesiologists across the globe. Boston, as a center of medical and academic excellence, will provide an ideal backdrop for this exchange of knowledge. We encourage members to submit their Abstracts, as we strive to create world-class sessions complemented by ample networking time for fostering new connections and scientific collaboration.

The Communications and Website Committee is proud to be supported by an impressive and diverse group of leaders. Notably, Dr. Christina Pabelick from Mayo Clinic chairs the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Dr. Arna Banerjeefrom Vanderbilt chairs the Educational Advisory Board (EAB), and Dr. Ted Sakai from UNC leads the Laboratory Advisory Board (LAB). Additionally, Dr. Valerie Armstread from Temple University and Dr. Michael Aziz from Oregon Health & Science University co-chair the Membership Engagement Board (MEB). Our team is further strengthened by respected members such as Dr. Ronald George from Mount Sinai, Toronto, Dr. Jaime Aaronson from Cornell, and Dr. Jingping Wang from Massachusetts General Hospital. Together, this dedicated group ensures AUA remains at the forefront of academic anesthesiology, fostering collaboration and excellence.

The committee is also adapting to a significant organizational transition. The ARC administration team now manages the AUA’s operations, marking a fresh chapter after our departure from the IARS. This new partnership with ARC is an exciting opportunity for streamlined operations, member engagement, and the advancement of strategic initiatives. 

With these transformative changes underway, the Communications and Website Committee remains committed to fostering a vibrant and connected AUA community. We eagerly look forward to sharing further updates as we approach the 2025 Boston meeting!

For more information, please visit the AUA website or learn more about the Communications and Website Committee.

Author

Shahzad Shaefi, MD, MPH
Chair, Communications & Website Committee
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, MA