In January 2023, with a team comprising 25 medical professionals, including three anesthesiologists, four pediatric surgeons, two plastic surgeons, and 18 other clinical professionals, conjoined twins JamieLynn and AmieLynn were successfully separated after 11 hours of surgery. Anesthesiologist Chandra Reynolds, MD, Medical Director of Perioperative Services at Cook Children’s Medical Center, shared in an interview the extensive planning and challenges faced for this rare surgical event.

Bernard Banks, MBA, PhD, a noted expert on leadership and organizational change, provided two compelling lectures during ASA® ADVANCE 2023. From his perspectives as a retired Army Brigadier General, Associate Dean for Leadership Development and Inclusion and Clinical Professor of Management at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and an active consultant, Banks provided four key observations on organizational culture and success.

Nearly every anesthesiologist will relate with the reporter of this case – having been suddenly faced with doing a purely elective but complex case on the weekend or at night. While most hospitals have policies that define types of surgery (“emergent,” “urgent,” “elective”), how many rooms will be running after 3:30 p.m., etc., few have a clear policy about when and how nonemergent cases should be done during “off hours.”

A July 2022 AAMC report revealed that, of 27 clinical and basic science disciplines, the field of anesthesiology was #1 for percentage of women (52.6%) and men (21.3%) experiencing gender-based harassment in the 12 months prior to survey administration. Harassment has a negative impact on well-being, professional development, and career satisfaction. This is shocking – and this is not acceptable.