“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
Over the last two decades, physicians have increasingly become aware of the problems associated with the perioperative care of patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Once identified as a risk factor for adverse events, the need to spring into action and take our natural role as patient safety advocates became obvious.
Under Dr. Frances Chung’s leadership, a small group of individuals from different specialties, including physician anesthesiologists, surgeons, pulmonologists and sleep medicine specialists, came together and formed the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine (SASM) in 2011. Engaging researchers and clinicians from around the world, this small group rapidly took its place as the thought leader and educator in the field of perioperative sleep medicine. Having expanded its membership to over 1,000 in only nine years,...
