PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
New Initiatives and New Opportunities at SNACC
Jeffrey J. Pasternak, MD
SNACC President
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Jeffrey J. Pasternak, MD |
SNACC is excited about numerous new initiatives that have started within our society. I wanted to share this information as this is an opportunity for SNACC members to get involved with activities and ultimately play a role in the future of perioperative neuroscience. The SNACC committees are a cornerstone of our society and play a pivotal role in developing and implementing strategies that not only drive SNACC but shape the progress of the perioperative neuroscience community overall. We have five new committees and subcommittees that are just getting started and I would like to tell you a little about each.
Clinical Affairs Committee: To provide a service for its members and the perioperative neuroscience community overall, SNACC has published multiple guidelines and consensus statements. These include guidelines for the management of patients with external ventricular drains and consensus statements for perioperative care of both patients having endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke and patients who are at high risk for stroke. These guidelines are currently available to anyone and can be accessed under the Education tab on the SNACC home page. Under the direction of Dr. Michael “Luke” James, the Clinical Affairs Committee will maintain and update current SNACC guidelines and consensus statements as well as direct the development of new guidelines and consensus statements to support the international perioperative neuroscience community.
Committee on Diversity and Inclusion: As an international society, SNACC’s membership spans the entire globe and consists of a diverse group of clinical neuroanesthesiologists, basic scientists, intensivists, trainees, and students. Led by Linda Aglio, with Angele Theard serving as vice-chair, the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion will institute efforts to encourage and foster a welcoming atmosphere for all at SNACC. The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion will also serve as a consulting body to the SNACC leadership on issues related to diversity and inclusiveness.
Trainee Engagement Subcommittee: Led by Angele Theard and Shobana Rajan, the Trainee Engagement Subcommittee will work to develop innovative initiatives to raise awareness about perioperative neuroscience among residents, graduate students, and medical students. The group will reach out to students and residents by providing educational material specific to these groups, as well foster interest and involvement by trainees in our society and our subspecialty. This group will also work to develop internet-based content of interest to trainees, such as the fellowship blog, and also to develop content that will be used during the SNACC annual meeting that would be of specific interest to trainees, such as a special lunch session for residents, fellows, and students.
William Young Fund Subcommittee: William L. Young was a productive clinical and basic science researcher, mentor to countless perioperative neuroscientists, and friend to all. He was a long-standing SNACC member and served as the SNACC president in 1996-1997. Following his untimely death in 2013, SNACC established the William L. Young Neuroscience Research Award in his honor. This award provides financial support to young perioperative neuroscientists derived from generous contributions. As of February 5, 2018, the William Young Fund contains a total of $103,063 as a result of individual gifts, proceeds from the William Young Memorial Dinners held after the last two Annual Meetings, and direct funds from SNACC. So far, SNACC has awarded two individuals each a $5000 award on behalf of the William L. Young Fund. Dhanesh Gupta will lead this new subcommittee to identify opportunities to encourage further donations so that the William Young Fund can be used to support future generations of perioperative neuroscientists.
International Council on Perioperative Neuroscience Training (ICPNT): Following the meeting of neuroanesthesiology fellowship program directors and division chairs in Washington, DC in the spring of 2017, efforts have begun to create a group that will be responsible for providing accreditation of neuroanesthesiology fellowship training programs around the world. Under the direction of W. Andrew Kofke and Lara Ferrario, serving as the chair and secretary/treasurer, the ICPNT was born. Although there is significant work left to do, the ICPNT will serve as a body that will strive to assure quality training of neuroanesthesiology fellows in the near future. I invite you to read the article that describes the early stages of the development of the ICPNT in this newsletter.
In addition to these new groups, SNACC has multiple long-standing committees that include the Scientific Affairs Committee (chair, Alana Flexman), the Education Committee (chair, John Bebawy), the Communications Committee (chair, Laurel Moore), the Research Committee (chair, William Armstead), and the Membership Committee (chair, Lauren Berkow). All of SNACC’s committees work integratively to develop educational material, maintain the website and SNACC’s social media sites, organize the SNACC newsletter, organize the SNACC poster session, and develop efforts to encourage potential new members to join and retain current members.
Serving on a committee is a great way to get involved with SNACC, serve the perioperative neuroscience community, and make new friends. This is a great opportunity for people getting started in their careers as it provides you with mentorship and is a wonderful way to make long lasting connections in our subspecialty. SNACC is especially interested in medical students, graduate students, residents and fellows as potential committee members. It is never too early to get involved in SNACC. You can access a list of current committees, their leaders, and members at www.snacc.org under the “About” tab. Some committees are seeking new members, whereas others currently have adequate membership but may be seeking new members in the future.
I would invite anyone with questions about a committee or an interest in joining a committee to either contact the committee chairs, anyone on the SNACC Board of Directors, or me at pasternak.jeffrey@mayo.edu.
