The core goal of leadership is to develop an inspired culture that changes a job into a calling. Several physician anesthesiologists have been instrumental in accomplishing this goal. In a TED Talk, Simon Sinek (www.youtube.com/watch?v=sioZd3AxmnE) refers to starting with “why.” Why do we train extended years, work long hours and sacrifice family and friends? We do it because we are privileged to keep patients safe, alive and pain-free. I say safe before pain-free because we are known as the medical specialty that pioneered safety, beginning with the leadership of Dr. Ellison “Jeep” Pierce, Jr., M.D.
At a time when the safety of anesthesia and surgery came under public attack, Dr. Pierce had the option as an ASA leader to fight for tort reform and decrease malpractice insurance costs or make anesthesia safer. The ABC network aired a “20/20” episode in April 1982 called, “The Deep Sleep: 6,000 Will...
