The roots of interest in geriatric anesthesiology extend back eight decades, marked by Emery Rovenstine’s review article in the inaugural edition of the journal Geriatrics in 1955. The pioneering spirit continued with the publication of the first textbook on geriatric anesthesia in the same year, signifying early recognition of the field’s importance. Despite these early milestones, a significant gap in continuing medical education on geriatric anesthesia persisted.
Charles McLeskey, MD
Stanley Muravchick, MD
C. Ronald Stephen, MD, FFARCS
In the 1980s, Drs Charles McLeskey and Stanley Muravchick delivered refresher course lectures at major meetings, and a pivotal event occurred in 1985 with a panel organized by Dr McLeskey. Notably, the annual Geriatric Anesthesia Symposium at Washington University, initiated in 1974 by Dr C. Ronald Stephen, aimed to address the underappreciation of geriatric anesthesia. Despite its initial success, declining attendance led to its conclusion in 1994.
Susan W Krechel, MD
Joseph “Jerry” Reves, MD
Sheila Ryan Barnett, MD, CPHQ, FASA
The resurgence of interest in geriatric anesthesia in the early 1990s saw the establishment of the Committee on Geriatric Anesthesia by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in 1992. Dr Susan Krechel, the founding chair, organized the ASA Workshop on the Care of the Geriatric Patient in 1995, highlighting the field’s significance. The Committee, under the leadership of Dr J. G. Reves in 1996 and later Dr. Sheila Barnett, played a crucial role in promoting education through initiatives like the Geriatric Curriculum in 2007 and Frequently Asked Questions in 2009.
George A. Rooke MD, PhD
Jeffrey H. Silverstein, MD
Terri G Monk, MD
Amidst these advancements, the Society for the Advancement of Geriatric Anesthesia (SAGA) emerged in 2001, fueled by the increasing interest in geriatric anesthesia within the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Acknowledging the constraints of the ASA Committee on Geriatric Anesthesia, a group of 20 individuals convened during the ASA meeting in October 2000, aiming to establish a society exclusively dedicated to geriatric anesthesia. Under the leadership of Dr. Alec Rooke, assisted by Gary Hoorman, an ASA employee, proposed bylaws were formulated in advance. Deliberations encompassed defining the society’s representation, with debates on whether non-anesthesiologists and non-physicians should have full membership. Ultimately, consensus was reached, allowing only physician or doctoral members to hold voting and office privileges. The inaugural officers elected included Alec Rooke as President, Jeff Silverstein as President-Elect, Terri Monk as Secretary, and Sheila Barnett as Treasurer. Over the subsequent year, these officers worked diligently to finalize the Bylaws and solidify the society’s structure. In June 2001, SAGA was established as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Washington, and its status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization was confirmed by the Internal Revenue Service in 2005.
The relationship between SAGA and the ASA Committee on Geriatric Anesthesia rapidly became intertwined, with over 80% of Committee members having been SAGA members at some point. This collaboration proved mutually beneficial, leveraging the larger and more stable membership base of SAGA. SAGA played a crucial role in providing speakers and expertise for geriatric programs at ASA meetings.
Acknowledging the limited success of the ASA workshop and the discontinuation of the Geriatric Anesthesia Symposium, SAGA adopted a strategy of providing educational programs at meetings of other established societies. This approach attracted interest from several large societies, including the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, in addition to the ASA. SAGA also engaged in partnerships, such as cosponsoring meetings with the Orthopedic Anesthesia Pain and Rehabilitation Society, focusing on aging-related topics.
SAGA’s commitment to research materialized through an annual donation to the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research since 2007. SAGA members actively engaged in original
The society’s annual meetings have evolved into a platform for scientific presentations, fostering a sense of community among members. Over the years, SAGA has proven to be a dynamic force, propelling advancements in education, research, and collaboration within the anesthesiology community, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of care for older patients.
George A. Rooke MD, PhD
Marek Brzezinski MD, PhD