Newswise — SAN FRANCISCO – Linda J. Mason, M.D., FASA, director of pediatric anesthesiology at Loma Linda University Medical Center and professor of anesthesiology and pediatrics at Loma Linda University, California, was today named president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the nation’s largest organization of physician anesthesiologists. Dr. Mason assumed office at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2018 annual meeting in San Francisco and will serve for one year.

“Physician anesthesiologists are facing unprecedented obstacles in the current health care climate, from legislation that could negatively impact physician-led care, to drug shortages and the devastating opioid crisis affecting our nation,” said Dr. Mason. “I am truly honored to lead ASA and its members over the next year as we strive to continuously provide high-quality care to patients before, during and after surgery amidst these challenges. And, as pioneers in patient safety, I will continue to ensure ASA’s leadership role in tackling these issues around the country.”

Dr. Mason has held numerous positions in the Society. She has served as secretary and a member of the ASA Administrative Council. Additionally, she chaired ASA’s Committee on Membership and both the Section on Administration and Section on Board Administrative Affairs. Dr. Mason has been on the ASA Board of Directors since 2006.

In addition to being a past president of the California Society of Anesthesiologists (2004-2005), Dr. Mason served as president of the Association of Anesthesiology Subspecialty Program Directors (2008-2009) and was a member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Review Committee for Anesthesiology from 2010-2016.

“During her service to ASA, Dr. Mason has proved she is committed to each and every one of our 52,000 members, patients, colleagues and collaborators,” said ASA Immediate Past President James D. Grant, M.D., M.B.A., FASA. “This year promises to be another transformative year, and I fully trust Dr. Mason to lead us beyond the challenges within our specialty to immeasurable success that will impact future physicians and the health care system as a whole for years to come.”

Dr. Mason received her Doctor of Medicine and completed her anesthesiology residency at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She is board-certified in pediatric anesthesiology and is an editor for the American Board of Anesthesiology Pediatric Anesthesiology Exam. 

Dr. Mason has presented over 570 lectures and visiting professorships during her career. Dr. Mason and her husband, Traian Cojocaru, M.D., reside in Redlands, California

 

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS

Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 52,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology. ASA is committed to ensuring physician anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of patients before, during and after surgery to provide the highest quality and safest care every patient deserves.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about the role physician anesthesiologists play in ensuring patient safety, visit asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount. Join the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2018 social conversation today. Like ASA on Facebook, follow ASALifeline on Twitter and use the hashtag #ANES18.

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Meeting Link: ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2018