The practice of medicine has always been fraught with controversy across all specialties. Examples include end of life care, childhood vaccinations, circumcisions, and genetic engineering, just to name a few.
As anesthesiologists, we face controversial surgeries everyday such as organ transplantation, bariatric surgery, and abortions. Our goal, above all else, is to provide … [Read more...] about Common Goals Don’t Eliminate Controversy
By Marie Sankaran-Raval, MD
President, VSA
Leadership Messages
Common Goals Don’t Eliminate Controversy
You’re Getting on My Nerves… But Isn’t That the Point?
Brooke Trainer, MD, FASA
Editor, VSA UPDATE Newsletter

Do I have your attention? Being triple - specialized in Anesthesiology, Acute Pain, and Intensive Care, I sometimes find myself thinking about patient problems in unique ways.
For example, in October 2019 when a young patient in his 20s presented to the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit at UVA with Guillain Barre Syndrome, paralyzed and intubated on mechanical ventilation, in severe … [Read more...] about You’re Getting on My Nerves… But Isn’t That the Point?
Brooke Trainer, MD, FASA
Editor, VSA UPDATE Newsletter
Promoting A Positive Safety Culture in Healthcare Organizations
By Brooke Trainer, MD, FASA
Editor, VSA Newsletter
VSA Secretary
CVHCS, Richmond, VA

Disagreements regarding medical management of patients between medical professionals will exist at every institution and in all types of situations. What is important, however, is the ability of each provider to feel comfortable in voicing those differing professional opinions. When the ability to communicate is limited or suppressed, patients can suffer.
Medicine is not … [Read more...] about Promoting A Positive Safety Culture in Healthcare Organizations
By Brooke Trainer, MD, FASA
Editor, VSA Newsletter
VSA Secretary
CVHCS, Richmond, VA
Patient Safety at the Forefront of Anesthesiology
By Marie Sankaran Raval, MD
VSA President
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology
VCU Health System, Richmond, VA

Since moving to Richmond in 2012, the VSA has played an integral role in my professional career and I am so excited to serve as your next VSA President.
As a pediatric anesthesiologist at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, I have seen firsthand the incredible power of working together and advocating for issues that affect our specialty and the practice of medicine. I have g … [Read more...] about Patient Safety at the Forefront of Anesthesiology
By Marie Sankaran Raval, MD
VSA President
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology
VCU Health System, Richmond, VA
Physician Anesthesiologists and the Quadruple Aim
By Jeffrey Green, MD, FASA
VSA Immediate Past President
Boyan-Keenan Professor of Anesthesia Safety
VCU Health System, Richmond, VA

At the VSA membership meeting on February 2, I had the pleasure of handing over the gavel to the new VSA President, Dr. Marie Sankaran Raval and presiding over the election of your new officers, directors, delegates and alternates.
I couldn’t be more excited for the future of the VSA with this new group of outstanding leaders. I can’t help but think about some of the former p … [Read more...] about Physician Anesthesiologists and the Quadruple Aim
By Jeffrey Green, MD, FASA
VSA Immediate Past President
Boyan-Keenan Professor of Anesthesia Safety
VCU Health System, Richmond, VA