Week honors physician-led Anesthesia Care Team model that protects patient safety across Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed Jan. 25–31, 2026, as Physician Anesthesiologists Week, recognizing Michigan’s physician anesthesiologists for their essential role in protecting patients before, during and after surgery and other medical procedures.
In her proclamation, Whitmer highlighted the physician-led Anesthesia Care Team model, which is widely recognized in Michigan and nationally as the gold standard for anesthesia care. This team-based approach, led by anesthesiologists, helps ensure patients receive the highest level of medical expertise, oversight and safety throughout their care.
The Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA), which represents nearly 1,000 physician anesthesiologists across the state, applauded the governor for recognizing the profession and the life-saving role anesthesiologists play in Michigan’s health care system.
“Physician anesthesiologists do far more than ‘put patients to sleep,’” MSA President Dr. Matt Dellaquila said. “We are responsible for managing pain, vital functions and life-threatening complications before, during and after surgery. That level of responsibility demands trust, and trust is built on honest communication and informed consent. At the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA), which represents nearly 1,000 anesthesiologists statewide, these principles guide everything we do.”
MSA also emphasized that physician anesthesiologists are leaders in advancing transparency and informed consent in health care. Throughout the past year, the society has advocated for legislation to prohibit pelvic, prostate and other intimate exams on patients under anesthesia without their explicit, informed consent, except in emergencies. MSA has also supported medical title transparency so patients clearly understand who is providing their care and what training their provider has received.
Beyond the operating room, physician anesthesiologists play a critical role in public education and patient safety. MSA has taken action to inform patients about the importance of disclosing recreational marijuana or psychedelic mushroom use prior to surgery, raised concerns when hospitals replace anesthesiologists with other clinicians without clearly communicating those changes, and supported efforts to curb the recreational misuse of nitrous oxide while preserving appropriate medical use. MSA has also helped educate the public on recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest and learning CPR.
“As this proclamation makes clear, anesthesiologists are more than essential members of the health care team — they are trusted advocates for patients,” Dellaquila said. “Physician Anesthesiologists Week is an opportunity to highlight the physicians who care for patients at their most vulnerable moments. From managing pain and vital functions during surgery to responding to life-threatening emergencies, anesthesiologists are focused on one thing above all else: patient safety.”
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