Anesthesiologists occupy a unique position to address the opioid epidemic, and ASA’s Committee on Trauma and Emergency Preparedness (COTEP) is initiating a project to help them do just that. In addition to the Monitor article, listen to the accompanying podcast.

Recently, researchers have discovered that “biased” ligands could selectively engage some signaling pathways while avoiding, or even inactivating, other signaling pathways mediated by the same receptor.

Against the backdrop of consolidation in the anesthesia market, the unilateral reduction by some employers of agreed-upon compensation for physician anesthesiologists during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, and termination by some hospitals of their relationships with their longstanding anesthesia groups, a longstanding debate about the pros and cons of noncompetes has reemerged.

Gratitude needs to be expressed. I pray regularly, with no idea if my prayers are heard, simply to express gratitude. I also give regularly, not to assuage guilt for not doing so, but because I am grateful. This year I am particularly grateful to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. ASA supports five worthy non-profit foundations.