July 28, 2026 - Vol. 2, Issue 11

President's Message

Christina Menor, MD, MS, FASA

Leading from San Juan: the room where we show up for mothers


Why it matters: Every mother who doesn't come home from delivery is a failure we can trace, in part, to leadership — who's in the room, and what they choose to prioritize. This week, CSA was in that room.


Live from NMA. I'm writing this from San Juan, where the National Medical Association's Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly is underway. Today's Anesthesiology Section leadership session brought together ASA President Dr. Pat Giam, ACOG President Dr. Camille Clare, Columbia Chair Dr. Meghan Lane-Fall, and University of Puerto Rico Chair Dr. Elfren Colón — four leaders, four institutions, one shared urgency.


Why it stayed with me. We didn't just talk about maternal morbidity and mortality as a statistic. We talked about it as a leadership failure we have the power to fix — and that's personal for me. It's the same conversation California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos brought to our own panel during National Anesthesiologists Week. Two rooms, thousands of miles apart, wrestling with the same question: are we leading in a way that keeps mothers alive?


A charge, not just a lecture. Dr. Adam Milam delivered the distinguished LaRoche Lecture on equitable, inclusive care — for our patients, and for each other. It's the kind of talk that doesn't let you off the hook. I'm still sitting with it.


Full circle. Dr. Milam stood on our stage too, just two weeks ago at CSA's Summer Anesthesia Conference in Ko'Olina, chaired by Dr. Ed Mariano. Seeing the same voices show up for us and for our national colleagues is a reminder that this work is bigger than any one meeting. More on that program later in this issue.


Meanwhile, at home: Our legislative team hasn't paused. Work on SB 1302, the BRN Sunset Review, continues — because protecting our scope of practice is its own act of protecting patients.


Bottom line: I'm proud to represent California in rooms like this one. Whether it's Oahu, San Juan, or Sacramento, our specialty shows up — for each other, and for every patient counting on us to get it right.


Be well. Be kind. Stay vigilant.

Christina Menor, MD, MS, FASA

President, California Society of Anesthesiologists

ASA Delegate | North Hollywood, CA

 

Key Updates

Christine Doyle, MD with Assemblymember Ahrens at the Rose, White and Blue Parade

on July 4th, 2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the CSA 2026 Summer Anesthesia Conference at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko’Olina

The education, connections, and island energy made it truly special.


The CSA 2026 Summer Anesthesia Conference was a tremendous success, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of our outstanding industry partners: Ambu, AOP Health, Grifols, Karl Storz, Knack RCM, Masimo, Tradeline LLC, & Vertex Pharmaceuticals

View event photos here


Call for Resolutions for the CSA House of Delegates

Any CSA member may submit a resolution to the House of Delegates (your elected representatives) on any issue that they deem important to the membership.

A resolution is a proposal that the CSA undertake an activity related to a current issue of concern to anesthesiologists.

The Reference Committee meets prior to the House of Delegates to hear testimony on all matters to be considered by the House.

If you are interested in submitting a resolution for 2026 House of Delegates, the deadline for submissions is August 3, 2026. You can also find a basic template here.


ASAPAC “Celebrate Your Voice” Drive – August 4

Last year ASAPAC helped secure a 2.5% Medicare payment update, defeat nearly 20 state bills attacking physician-led anesthesia, preserve VA physician-led care, and block Anthem’s time-limit policy. On August 4 you can direct your gift to Democratic or Republican champions (or no preference). Gifts of $1,000+ enter you to win the Annual Meeting Package (value >$2,700). Give at asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/asapac.


Vital Times Ranked #6 Among Top Anesthesia Podcasts

We’re proud to share that Vital Times: The CSA Podcast has been ranked #6 on Million Podcasts’ Best Anesthesia Podcasts list.

Hosted by Dr. Ludwig Lin and Dr. Rita Agarwal, the podcast continues to deliver insightful conversations for anesthesiologists and the perioperative community.

Thank you to our listeners and members for your support. Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform.
Read more


2027 Call for Abstracts Now Open!

Showcase your work at CSA’s Annual Conference April 11, 2027, at the Disneyland Hotel. Share your expertise with colleagues from across California and beyond and contribute to the advancement of anesthesiology. Submit your abstract today! Deadline is February 8, 2027


Global Health Committee:

ReSurge Trip Schedule Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Click here for some amazing opportunities with ReSurg. Please fill out their volunteer form below or reach out to them directly if you are interested in volunteering.


CSA Harassment and Practice Management Survey:

📝If you’ve experienced it, witnessed it, or care about creating a better practice environment — your input is critical.

Take Survey

Latest Content and News

The external news content below does not reflect ASA’s views or policies.

🎙️Podcast:

Jobcrafting a new career arc: How to create a sustainable job, and love it too

Dr Beth Duggan, vice chair of faculty development at UAB, and Dr Daryl Oakes, Stanford Associate Dean of Post Graduate Medical Education, speak on ways anesthesiologists can escape being pigeonholed to instead craft a fulfilling and sustainable career.

Listen here

📝 Blog Post:

The CSA Committee on the History of Anesthesia Congratulates the 1st Place Winner of the CSA 2026 History of Anesthesia Essay Contest: Kun Leng, MD, PhD, Author of “A Story About the Discovery of Dexmedetomidine.”

Dr. Leng, a CA-2 research track resident at the University of California, San Francisco, is a budding physician-scientist and an avid surfer, tennis player, and utter amateur at golf.

A Story About the Discovery of Dexmedetomidine

By Kun Leng, MD, PhD

An interview with Mervyn Maze, MB, CHB

Read more

📰Media Articles:

7.7.26 - USC's Keck Hospital phases out nitrous oxide use for anesthesia

6.30.26 - ASA Announces Successful Resolution of its Opposition Against AANA’s ‘Nurse Anesthesiologist’ Trademark Applications

Upcoming Events

📅 Fall Anesthesia Conference: Nov 9-13, 2026 | Big Island, HI

📅 Winter Anesthesia Conference: Jan 18-22, 2027 | Lahaina, HI

📅 CSA’s Annual Conference: Apr 9-11, 2027 | Anaheim, CA

Job Board

💼 Recent Openings:

  • Cardiac Anesthesiologist – Santa Cruz – Full Time
  • Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiologist – Madera – Full Time
  • Pediatric Anesthesiologist – Madera – Full Time
  • Anesthesiologist & Cardiac Anesthesiologist – Chico – Full Time

View all job openings

Social Media Spotlight

Stay connected with the latest from the California Society of Anesthesiologists across our social channels (@CSAHQ on X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook). Here are some notable recent highlights:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the CSA Summer Conference in Oahu! From inspiring education and engaging discussions to reconnecting with colleagues and making new friends, thank you to everyone who joined us in Hawaii!

🌴 Save the Date: CSA 2026 Fall Anesthesia Conference

November 9–13 | Fairmont Orchid, Big Island, Hawaii

Exceptional speakers. Timely topics. Unforgettable location.

🎉 Huge shoutout to all our incredible 2026 CSA Conference Exhibitors & Supporters! 🙌

Follow us on social media for real-time updates, advocacy wins, Vital Times podcast highlights, and more. Tag @CSAHQ in your posts!

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