Alex Macario, M.D., M.B.A., with ASA’s Excellence in Education Award

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recently presented Alex Macario, M.D., M.B.A., with its 2018 Excellence in Education Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to resident and graduate education in anesthesiology. The award is presented annually to an ASA member who has made significant contributions to the specialty through excellence in teaching, development of new teaching methods, or the implementation of innovative educational programs in anesthesiology.

Dr. Macario is vice-chair for education and professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, California, where he is also professor by courtesy in the Department of Health Research and Policy. “Dr. Macario is an exceptional professor of anesthesiology who deserves this award for his outstanding contributions to graduate medical education,” said ASA President James D. Grant, M.D., M.B.A., FASA. “His drive and passion for teaching, mentoring and creating innovative educational programs for young physicians is not only essential, but unparalleled.”

A member of the faculty at Stanford for 23 years, Dr. Macario established early in his career an internationally recognized academic program in operating room (OR) management, including creating the Management of Perioperative Services Fellowship, before transitioning to an interest in medical education. In 2006, he assumed the position of director of the anesthesiology residency program at Stanford, where he transformed the program into a national leader in graduate medical education. Over the past 12 years, Dr. Macario has led the training of approximately 250 graduates who are now practicing physician anesthesiologists.

Dr. Macario has been instrumental in creating and leading innovative educational programs and tracks for residents at his institution, including the Stanford Fellowship in Anesthesia Research and Medicine track for anesthesia residents who want to pursue research-intensive careers, many of whom have gone on to obtain National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. He also serves as program director for the Combined Residency in Internal Medicine and Anesthesiology and is associate program director for the Combined Residency in Pediatrics and Anesthesiology. These and other programs offer individualized training and learning pathways for residents that allow for more informed career choices (e.g., investigator, specialty clinician, educator, etc.).

Additionally, Dr. Macario was founder and served as director of the Stanford Anesthesia Faculty Teaching Scholars Program, which launched a structure for department faculty to obtain education in teaching, curriculum development and assessment.

Dr. Macario is a member of ASA’s Committee on Research and serves as director at the American Board of Anesthesiology. In 2019, he will also begin a six-year term on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Review Committee for Anesthesiology.  Dr. Macario received his medical degree from the University of Rochester, New York, and completed his residency in anesthesia and a postgraduate fellowship in health services research at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

A champion for education throughout his career, Dr. Macario has received numerous awards, including being the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Graduate Medical Education as Program Director Award for Stanford University Medical Center in 2015. His research on the economics of health care, management of the OR suite, and medical education have been published in numerous publications and cited more than 8,000 times.