Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) Report: The Launch and Progress of the Leadership Advisory Board (LAB)by Tetsuro Sakai, MD, PhD, MHA, FASA Inaugural LAB Leadership and its Contribution to Academic Anesthesiology The inaugural LAB chair, Maya Jalbout Hastie, MD, EdD, the Vice Chair for Education, and a Professor of Anesthesiology at Columbia University, has been at the forefront of significant LAB advancements. LAB prioritized Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) as the central theme. LAB’s advocacy for appropriate terminological usage in professional publications has set new standards. The efforts include initiating a letter to the editor in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2021, advocating for the use of “Black” over “African American” in scientific contexts, a change aimed at aligning with broader, more inclusive terminological standards.1 LAB’s commitment to addressing the gender disparities in anesthesiology has led to the performance of a national survey on sexual harassment in academic anesthesia. A recent AAMC report found that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men in anesthesiology have experienced a form of sexual harassment (gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, or sexual coercion), of which gender harassment is the most common.2 The LAB survey builds on those findings to explore sources of harassment in the workplace, its impact on the targets, and the influence of other demographic and professional factors. The article has currently been under review for publication. Additionally, recognizing the need for a structured mentorship program for the members of AUA, LAB subcommittee members were instrumental in creating the AUA Mentorship Program, which has attracted more than 100 AUA senior members willing to serve as mentors. This initiative, now led by the new leadership of the Membership Engagement Board (MEB), would ensure that the next generation of academic anesthesiologists receives the guidance and support necessary to thrive in their careers.3 The Future Direction of LAB As we progress, LAB will be strengthened by a dynamic and dedicated team of AUA members from leading academic institutions nationwide. Given the cumulated expertise of the LAB members, we will tackle two themes to advance the mission of AUA. These initiatives are as follows. First, the EDI initiative will be held up high as one of the core activities of LAB. Dr. Hastie, the Immediate Past Chair of LAB, continues her vital role in advancing the EDI efforts. Given the survey findings of the continuing existence of sexual harassment in academic anesthesia, we advocate education and explore mitigation systems to reduce and eliminate sexual harassment in our work environment. Empowering women and minorities in academic anesthesia is crucial for the sound growth of our specialty. As one of the efforts, LAB continues to organize the Women’s Breakfast at the AUA meetings. Second, recognizing the critical need for AUA members’ professional growth in academic anesthesiology, LAB is committed to expanding and enhancing faculty development initiatives. These programs are intricately designed to address the multifaceted roles that faculty members play, from educators and researchers to clinical practitioners and administrative leaders. To address the diverse needs and career stages of faculty members, LAB will implement tailored development tracks that focus on specific areas of professional growth:
LAB aims to cultivate a culture of excellence and continuous growth in academic anesthesiology through these expanded and enriched faculty development initiatives. By equipping faculty with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to excel in their multifaceted roles, LAB enhances individual careers and advances the field, ensuring it remains at the cutting edge of medical education and patient care. To achieve the above goals, LAB will embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, which have been applied in various human resource management industries. Possible applications of AI technologies in LAB-related initiatives could be included as follows:
The future direction of LAB is characterized by a forward-thinking approach that blends traditional academic values with innovative practices. LAB is setting the stage for a new era in academic anesthesiology by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation and empowering faculty through advanced leadership development programs. Our commitment to these initiatives will ensure that the field of anesthesiology not only adapts to the challenges of the 21st century but also thrives, producing leaders who are well-equipped to contribute to the evolution of healthcare and medical education. References
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