Assembly Resolution No. 870

BY: M. of A. Bichotte Hermelyn

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 an
official week that is set aside to inform key audiences about the role
and value of physician anesthesiologists in delivering anesthesia care
in today's and tomorrow's United States healthcare system; 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 ensure
every breath which patients take during surgery is protected; and

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

WHEREAS, The Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) 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 OR, and standards for 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 the State of New York is entitled to and
should have universal access to the highest level of anesthesia care;
all patients, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserve physician
anesthesiologists 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, in
the State of New York, the 12th Annual National Physician
Anesthesiologist Week, in recognition of its appreciation for physician
anesthesiologists, who serve as the leaders of the Anesthesia Care Team,
and critical care specialists who ensure the safety and health of
surgical patients 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.