September 8, 2026 - Vol. 2, Issue 14

President's Message

Christina Menor, MD, MS, FASA

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Women in Medicine Month, and I don't think that's a coincidence worth glossing over.


Women in medicine carry a lot of weight the system was never built to account for — pay gaps, caregiving on top of clinical work, leadership paths that are harder to climb. 1001 Cuts, a new PBS documentary, lays out these hidden barriers and how they add up to burnout. To me, wellness and gender equity in medicine aren't separate observances that happen to share a date. They're the same conversation.


Worth remembering too: patients treated by female physicians have measurably better mortality outcomes. We should be protecting the people producing those numbers, not burning them out.

A few ways to mark it:

  • Watch 1001 Cuts on PBS/KQED
  • Join the AMWA lecture on Women in Medicine, September 24, 4pm Pacific — open to all
  • On the 17th, check on a colleague. Ask how they're really doing. Share resources if they need them.


Also representing CSA this month: I joined fellow CSA leaders Dr. Rita Agarwal and Dr. Ludwig Lin at the doximity AI Summit in San Francisco, and I represented CSA on an invited panel at the California Ambulatory Surgical Association's annual conference.


Be well, Be kind and Stay Vigilant.

Christina Menor, MD, MS, FASA

President, California Society of Anesthesiologists

ASA Delegate | North Hollywood, CA

 

Key Updates

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.


Are You Registered to Vote?

With many primary elections ahead this month, staying civically engaged is essential for the specialty. Casting your ballot is a direct, impactful way to advocate for your practice, defend patient care, and guide healthcare legislation at the state level.

 

Take action:


Medical board physician licensing fees to increase Jan. 1

What You Need to Know: Medical Board of California fees for initial physician licensure and biennial license renewal will increase from $1,151 to $1,255 beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Read more


Graduate Medical Education Alert

Applications are now open for the FY 2026–27 CalMedForce and CalMedForce+ grant cycle, with approximately $83.5 million available to support residency and fellowship programs across California. Programs submit one application and will be considered for all funding sources for which they are eligible. Applications are due October 6, 2026, at 7:00p.m. PT.

Read more


ASA Anesthesiology 2026 in San Diego, CA

 Secure Your Spot for ASAPAC at The Nat!

The ASAPAC Executive Board is excited to invite Fiscal Year 2026 ASAPAC donors who have contributed at least $350 ($35 for residents) to an exclusive evening reception at the historic San Diego Natural History Museum (“The Nat”) during ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2026. On Sunday, October 18 at 6pm, enjoy after-hours access to the Level 2 gallery exhibitions, catch up with colleagues, and celebrate your support for ASA advocacy efforts in a one-of-a-kind setting. Located in the heart of California’s renowned Balboa Park, this is an event you won’t want to miss! With only 300 spots available, be sure to reserve your place TODAY.

 

Once capacity is reached, no additional registrations can be accommodated.

 

If you have made your qualifying ASAPAC contribution, please RSVP here to secure your place. If you would like to attend but have not contributed at least $350 ($35 for residents), you can make your contribution here to become eligible.


Save the Date: ASAPAC Luncheon in San Diego

Save the date for the ASAPAC Appreciation Luncheon at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 in San Diego! The Luncheon will be held on Monday, October 19 at 11:30 am.

 

The ASAPAC Appreciation Luncheon is open to Fiscal Year 2027 ASAPAC Council Chair donors, Circle of Distinction donors, and Residency Programs who reached 100 percent PAC participation in Fiscal Year 2026. Note that this luncheon will be starting earlier than previous years to accommodate several state component and caucus meetings.


Latest Content and News

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

🎙️Podcast:

So You Wanna Be a Podcast Host?

CSA is launching its first Podcast Host Contest. We're looking for new voices for this show — and we're looking for it among you.

 

Who's eligible: Anesthesiology residents and fellows at California programs. Medical students at California medical schools with a demonstrated interest in the specialty. Any year. All subspecialty tracks.

 

No podcasting experience required. None. If you've never touched a microphone and you have something to say, we want to hear it.

Listen here


📝 Blog Post:

Widening the Path: Why Celebrating Women in Anesthesiology and Medicine Changes the Future of Healthcare

History is rarely made in a single, loud explosion. More often, it is forged quietly—one late night monitoring a critically ill patient under the glow of OR monitors, one courageous clinical breakthrough, and one mentor who decides that reaching the top means turning around to pull others up with them.

Read more


CSA’s own Rita Agarwal, MD, FAAP, FASA, is featured on The Podcast by KevinMD in “Health insurance mergers are why your doctor is leaving"
Drawing on her CSAOF and ASA-sponsored KevinMD article on insurance consolidation as a patient-safety problem. She discusses why anesthesiologists are leaving jobs even as the specialty remains highly competitive—and what that means for teams, rural and pediatric hospitals, and patients. 
Listen here


đź“°Media Articles:

8.28.26 - 15 numbers to know on the anesthesia workforce shortage

8.27.26 - Who’s pocketing the anesthesia stipend money?

8.27.26 - Rural anesthesia access is an economic problem, not a scope-of-practice problem

Upcoming Events

đź“… CSA Foundation Luncheon and HOD Meeting: Sep 26, 2026 | Sacramento

đź“… Fall Anesthesia Conference: Nov 9-13, 2026 | Big Island, HI

đź“… Winter Anesthesia Conference: Jan 18-22, 2027 | Lahaina, HI

đź“… CSA’s Annual Conference: Apr 9-11, 2027 | Anaheim, CA

đź“… Summer Anesthesia Conference: Jul 12-16, 2027 | Oahu, HI

Job Board

đź’Ľ Recent Openings:

  • Anesthesiologist Position with The Permanente Medical Group – Santa Rosa – Full Time
  • 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:

🎥 Hear from Dr. Alyssa Brzenski ahead of the CSA 2026 Fall Anesthesia Conference

CSA President Christina Menor, MD, MS, FASA invites you to the CSA 2027 Winter Anesthesia Conference.

 

CSAOF: The CSA Committee on the History of Anesthesia congratulates the 3rd-place winner of the CSA 2026 History of Anesthesia Essay Contest:

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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