Today we are all part of a great moment of TSAT history. We are embarking on a great journey to make the impossible dream come true for all of us. This year our state society (TSAT) is very proud to announce that we are observing our 17th year anniversary of continued growth in anesthesia education. With God’s help everything is possible. The best is yet to come.

First, I would like to acknowledge the excellent state wide attendance at the Anesthesia Seminar held at Wilford Hall Medical Center on 29 March 2008 which was sponsored by the San Antonio Society (SASAT). All of the topics presented were very informative and educational.

Both Dr. James Johnson and Dr. Elvin Cruz, Major, USAF, MC, staff anesthesiologists at Wilford Hall Medical Center made outstanding presentations on the anesthesia machine, CVP, C-Pap and the very large and extensive groups of€ medications administered for anesthesia. Congratulations and keep up the great work.

I would also like to take this opportunity to inform our members of all the educational efforts being made locally and at the state level. During the past year, 2007, and early this year, 2008, we have organized two new state societies: one in the city of Edinburg, in the magic Rio Grande Valley, in August 2007 and the second one this year in the city of El Paso, in the west region of Texas.

Plans are also on the front burner to organize a new society in the panhandle area Texas. Plans are also being made to reactivate the societies in Dallas and Austin, Texas. We will soon have anesthesia technician societies throughout the state of Texas.

I would also like to report on the progress of the pending state legislative bill our state society (TSAT) is submitting to Austin, Texas, later this year. Once the bill is voted on and passed, we can phase in a state mandatory requirement that will require all anesthesia technicians in Texas to be nationally certified by our National Society of Anesthesia Technicians (ASATT).

Our national society has administered this National Certification Program for the past 10 years with excellent results. Presently, we have 300 anesthesia technicians nationally certified here in Texas and 1500 anesthesia technicians nationally certified nationwide in 50 states. It is our goal and dream that within the next 3 years when we observe our 20th year anniversary, Texas will have the most nationally certified anesthesia technicians nationwide and our state society will be the leader nationwide in offering a comprehensive continuing education program.

Our state society (TSAT) also shares the commitment to excellence through obtaining ASATT national certification and supports the utilization of anesthesia technicians who dedicate themselves to a lifetime benefit of continued education in our every changing surgical environment.

I would like to inform you that TSAT will be working closely with Dr. Catherine Scholl, TSA president, and Mr. Emery Capt, CRNA TANA president of Austin, Texas, to draft the legislative bill to establish a professional entity for anesthesia technicians here in Texas.

TSAT would also like to acknowledge the strong support provided by our anesthesiologists, residents, nurse, anesthetists, medical equipment and supply vendors and representatives who support us throughout the state of Texas. Their service and dedication over and beyond the line of duty truly reflects their commitment to our local and state society.

During the past 3 years, our state society has been awarded national awards in recognition of our continuing education programs here in Texas. We have also received city and state of Texas Proclamations from the Governor’s office.

In closing, I ask for your continued support in all of our progress and hard work that is being accomplished.

Respectfully,
RAUL SANCHEZ
TSAT President
Anesthesia Department
Wilford Hall Medical Center