Senate Resolution No. 1495

BY: Senator GOUNARDES

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
January 25-31, 2026, as Physician Anesthesiologists
Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks designated to raising awareness of the vital role and
value of physician anesthesiologists in delivering anesthesia care
within the United States healthcare system, now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 25-31, 2026, as
Physician Anesthesiologists Week in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Physician Anesthesiologist
Week; and

WHEREAS, Physician anesthesiologists have advanced patient care
throughout the history of modern medicine; instrumental in the pivotal
milestones of medical history, physician anesthesiologists' innovations
have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, and
critical care; and

WHEREAS, The innovation and advancement of airway management and
intubation techniques and devices by physician anesthesiologists ensures
that every breath patients take during surgery is protected; and

WHEREAS, The innovation of the Apgar Score-a test created by
anesthesiologist Dr. Virginia Apgar which ensures a baby's health is
assessed immediately following birth-significantly transformed obstetric
care; and

WHEREAS, The Anesthesia Care Team model, led by physician
anesthesiologists, is widely recognized as the gold standard of care
practiced in all hospitals in New York State to protect patients and
provide the highest standard of care; and

WHEREAS, Physician anesthesiologists' innovation of patient safety
science and safety monitoring, including pulse oximetry, have changed
how patients' heart and lung function and blood oxygenation levels are
monitored in the operating room; standards on basic anesthetic
monitoring have heralded the largest sustained reduction in
perioperative mortality of any specialty; and

WHEREAS, The innovation of regional anesthesia, such as nerve
blocks, spinal anesthesia, and epidurals, by physician anesthesiologists
has transformed pain management options, reducing opioid use and
combatting the opioid epidemic; and

WHEREAS, The innovation of cardiothoracic, transplant, and trauma
anesthesia by physician anesthesiologists makes once-impossible,
high-risk surgeries, such as open-heart and transplant surgery,
possible; and

WHEREAS, Every person in New York is entitled to and should have
universal access to the highest level of anesthesia care, every patient
regardless of socioeconomic status deserves a physician anesthesiologist
leading their care, advocating for them, and safeguarding them when they
are under anesthesia and unable to advocate for themselves; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 25-31, 2026, as
Physician Anesthesiologists Week in the State of New York, in
recognition of its appreciation for physician anesthesiologists who
serve as the leaders of the Anesthesia Care Team, and for critical care
specialists who ensure the safety and health of surgical and chronic
pain patients every day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and Board Members of the New York State Society of
Anesthesiologists.