January 30, 2022: Physician Anesthesiologists Week

WHEREAS, physician anesthesiologists are guardians of patient safety in health care - in the operating room, in the delivery room, in the intensive care unit, in pain management clinics, at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic; and,

WHEREAS, the 12 to 14 years of education and 12,000 to 16,000 hours of training physician anesthesiologists receive prepare them to navigate life-and-death moments and help ensure patients receive the highest quality care; physician anesthesiologists were made for this moment, playing a critical role in keeping patients safe in this state and community, whether caring for COVID-19 patients, managing a crisis during surgery or labor and delivery, or providing pain management; and,

WHEREAS, the Anesthesia Care Team model, led by physician anesthesiologists, is widely recognized as the gold standard of care used in all of the nation's top hospitals and in VA to protect patients and the nine million Veterans who have served our country; and,

WHEREAS, physician anesthesiologists are recognized leaders who are committed to high quality and safe patient care, educating patients on anesthesia safety and reducing risks of complications before, during, and after surgery;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 30 - February 5, 2022, as Physician Anesthesiologists Week in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to join us in recognizing physician anesthesiologists, who serve as critical care specialists work to greatly improve the safety of anesthesia and the well-being of surgical patients, Veterans, and chronic pain patients each day