I (Dr. Pesola) was awarded a grant from ASA, through the Committee on Professional Diversity, to evaluate the impact of implementing a telemedicine project for preanesthetic assessments in an underserved population of an urban area.
Being a grant awardee, I will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these populations. With Dr. Ellinas as my mentor, a leader in education and perioperative care and an advocate for diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion, I strive to become a leader in perioperative care and patient safety and improve outcomes through the implementation of a successful telemedicine program, especially for populations in most need.
Background: Telemedicine has been utilized in the U.S. for more than a decade (Anesthesiology 2004;100:1605-7). However, its role became more evident with the onset of the pandemic. Beyond prevention of viral transmission, telemedicine has allowed us to reach patient populations that historically...