By Fritz-Jose Chandler, MD, MSHM, MBA, FASA
Physician Anesthesiologists Week, held from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, is a week of advocacy and public outreach to educate the community on the importance of patient-centered, physician-led anesthesia care. Over the past two years in particular, anesthesiologists have faced many challenges from the unforeseen trials of the COVID-19 pandemic to effective collaboration with surgical teams and everything in between, and so this week is set aside to celebrate anesthesiologists for the work they do behind the scenes.
Prior to my current role as Facility Medical Director at Advocate Sherman Hospital, my career included private, military, and academic positions. I received my medical degree and completed a general surgery residency in Haiti before immigrating to the United States to pursue further medical training. For me, the decision to serve in the military was very natural. I wanted to give back to my chosen country and I was happy to do so in the United States Air Force.
I served four years in active duty, including a seven-month tour in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Following this service, I received a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University while in the United States Navy Reserve.
My decision to join TeamHealth Anesthesia came from a desire for growth, and from knowing that the organization could offer me resources, safe practice parameters, and a strong partnership to deliver quality healthcare.
Anesthesiologists are a special breed of physicians, mostly working behind the scenes, but still playing an integral role in patient care. At Advocate Sherman, I, along with my team of physicians and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), provide patients with high-quality care while also helping the facility achieve its goals in the surgery suite and its overall ambitions. We have a united focus on building a strong partnership between anesthesia and surgical teams, while promoting consistency in care, which is something that I believe all anesthesiologists hold within them. In anesthesia, nothing is more foundational to successful delivery of care than collaborating with clinical teams, facility staff, and hospital leadership.
Thank you, anesthesiologists
This Physician Anesthesiologist Week, I want to thank my team and anesthesiologists everywhere for their efforts in providing compassionate care to communities nationwide.
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