​Advocacy

Advocacy: How and Why You Should Get Involved

“Healthcare decisions, which critically impact the practice and patients, are being discussed at both the state and federal levels every day. It is just as important for medical students to participate in these efforts as it is for hundreds of residents and physician anesthesiologists who have committed to advocating for patients and ensuring the continued success of the field of anesthesiology. Medical students are in a unique position as we are just beginning our journeys in this specialty, and it is our duty to educate, engage, and advocate for our future as physician anesthesiologists. Being informed and getting involved during medical school can help lay the groundwork for becoming a lifelong advocate.”

— ASA MSC Advocacy Crew

Medical Student State Component Liaison Program

The Medical Student State Component Liaison Program helps build and regulate medical school communication between State Component Societies, the ASA Medical Student Component Governing Council, and ASA Leaders. If you are interested in the program, take a look at the linked webpage for more information and to get in contact with your state liaison.

Meet the Members Involved in Advocacy

 Yujia "Zoe" Ge
ASA Medical Student Component Advocacy Crew Lead
Tufts University School of Medicine

Elena Metchikoff, MS, RD
ASA Medical Student Component Advocacy Crew Lead
California Health Sciences University

Program Leader Video Project:

Featured Program Faculty:
Dr. Mada Helou, MD, FASA (Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals)
Dr. Maurice “Frankie” Joyce, MD, EdM, FASA (Tufts Medical Center)
Dr. Aditee Ambardekar, MD, MSEd (UT Southwestern Medical Center)
Dr. Carlos Trombetta, MD, MEd (Cleveland Clinic)
Dr. Richard Banchs, MD (University of Illinois-Chicago)
Dr. Robert Gaiser, MD, FASA (Yale University)
Dr. Eugenia Ayrian, MD, FASA (University of Southern California-Keck)
Dr. Kimberly Hollander, MD (University of Maryland)
Dr. Stephanie Kahntroff, MD (University of Maryland)
Dr. Christine Martin, MD (Oregon Health & Science University)
Dr. Roneisha McLendon, MD, MS (Ochsner Health)

Student Contributors:
Michelle Wu (University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine)
Max Shteiman (University of Queensland)
Hejin Jeong (Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine)
Gabrielle Brizzi (University of Maryland School of Medicine)

Hear from the physician anesthesiologists involved in advocacy here.

How Do I Get Involved?

The ASA and its state components provide a wealth of resources to physicians wanting to take the next step. It begins with getting informed on both legislative processes as well as the topics being discussed.

• The ASA’s Advocacy Page is a great place to start, with links to Advocacy Tools, Current Legislative Issues, and the ASAPAC
• Read about the experiences of Resident Scholars during their rotation with the ASA Washington DC office
• The annual ASA Legislative Conference in Washington DC is a great introduction to national political advocacy, including meeting with US Senators and Congresspeople to discuss current topics relevant to our patients and our careers
• Get involved in your individual state component society is also a great way to learn about issues on the local level and advocate for your patients and fellow anesthesiologists
• Get involved in the ASA Medical Student Component House of Delegates or Governing Council
• Donate and raise funds for the ASAPAC

Advocacy Points of Interest

• The Advocacy Spotlight Series
  
  • The MSC Advocacy Crew is excited to introduce a new initiative: The Advocacy Spotlight Series. This monthly video series is planned and produced by medical students who are passionate about anesthesiology, advocacy, and empowering students through education and engagement.
    
    From now through October, we will release monthly episodes highlighting important topics in anesthesiology advocacy, featuring conversations with student leaders and physicians from across the field. Through these discussions, viewers will gain valuable insight into current issues impacting anesthesia and learn more about opportunities to become involved in advocacy efforts at every stage of training.
    
    We invite you to tune in each month to hear diverse perspectives, stay informed on key topics in anesthesiology, and connect with a growing community of future physician advocates.
  • May’s Advocacy Spotlight: Medicare, Payment and Why It Affects Your Future Specialty 
    How do payment decisions affect the care anesthesiologists can provide, and what happens when coverage limitations directly impact patients? In this episode of the Advocacy Spotlight Series, we explore the real-world connection between anesthesia reimbursement, patient access, and physician advocacy. 
    
    Join us for an insightful discussion between Dr. Eric Reilly and Madelle Ferrer on navigating policy challenges, advocating for quality patient care, and why understanding Medicare matters for every future anesthesiologist.
  • June's Advocacy Spotlight: How can one voice create change in medicine? Advocacy is often thought of as policy and legislation, but it can begin with a single patient, a classroom, or a conversation. In this month’s Advocacy Spotlight Series, Sarah Kadado speaks with Dr. Roy Soto, Program Director at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, about the many forms advocacy can take throughout a physician’s career. Together, they discuss the foundations of advocacy and how trainees can identify causes they are passionate about, get involved early, and use their voices to improve patient care and medical education.
  • July's Advocacy Spotlight: In this month's ASA Advocacy Spotlight Series, join Dr. Matthew Casey and Brady Anderson as they discuss the physician-led Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model and its role in modern perioperative care. Dr. Casey shares how physician anesthesiologists and anesthetists work together to care for patients, the importance of physician expertise during complex cases, and why advocacy surrounding the ACT model continues to shape the future of anesthesiology. Whether you're new to the specialty or already involved in advocacy, this conversation offers a practical look at one of the most important topics in anesthesiology today.
  • August's Advocacy Spotlight: For this month, Chinwe Chidume talks with Anusha Samant, ASA MSC President, and Mrinmoyee Kalasikam, ASA MSC President Elect about the advocacy work the ASA Medical Student Component is doing this year.
  • September's Advocacy Spotlight: In this month’s episode of the ASA Advocacy Spotlight Series, we are joined by the four founders of the Kansas Medical Student Component. This past year, they’ve successfully formed a bridge between the medical students of Kansas and their ASA state component society, creating an opportunity for trainees to better understand and contribute to advocacy issues within anesthesia. We explore their motivations for starting this initiative, the process for gaining approval, and the excellent work they have done so far.
• No Surprises Act Video Series
• Advocacy Video Series by Nick Davies, 2023 Medical Student Component President

What is ASAPAC?

ASAPAC is the political voice for the ASA, and is America’s largest physician PAC (Political Action Committee). With the support of ASA members, it works to help advance the specific interests of the specialty and patients by allowing the anesthesiology community to participate directly and tangibly in the elections of legislators who understand our specialty and the important medical care anesthesiologists provide. ASAPAC participates in over 300 political events each election cycle and provides physicians with resources to initiate and maintain critical relationships with legislators. Contributions go to pro-anesthesiology and pro-physician candidates as well as Congressional healthcare committee leaders, at both a national and state level.

How Do I Contribute?

Giving to ASAPAC is now easier than ever! Simply scan the QR code below on your phone, click the link to the ASAPAC contribution page, enter your last name and ASA member ID and you're in!