Newswise — The International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) announces Edward Nemergut, MD, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia Health System, as its 2010 Teaching Recognition Award Recipient for Innovation in Education. In recognition of Dr. Nemergut’s commitment and contributions to medical education, the IARS awarded $10,000 to the University of Virginia Health System. In addition, all anesthesia residents at the university will receive complimentary memberships to the IARS, including full-year subscriptions to the society’s acclaimed journal, Anesthesia & Analgesia.
Dr. Nemergut, who also serves as the Program Director of Anesthesiology Residency, is the co-creator of OpenAnesthesia.org. The OpenAnesthesia website is a wiki that allows users to instantly author and edit medical content related to anesthesiology. The educational platform creates a unique opportunity for resident physicians to take an active role in their own education, serving as the website’s primary contributors.
“Open Anesthesia has allowed me to extend my ideas regarding education and learning beyond the University of Virginia to a worldwide academic community,” said Dr. Nemergut. “My ultimate goal is for OpenAnesthesia to advance the knowledge of anesthesiologists around the world.”
Today, less than 18 months after the launch of OpenAnesthesia.org, the website is an established educational platform with over 90,000 visitors a month. The site boasts more than 1,300 registered users, who are allowed to edit the wiki portion of the site. Dr. Nemergut serves as OpenAnesthesia’s primary moderator.
“Dr. Nemergut has made significant contributions to the evolution of anesthesia education,” says James Ramsay, MD, Chair of the IARS Board of Trustees. “OpenAnesthesia.org is truly an innovative and unique educational tool.”
About the IARSThe International Anesthesia Research Society is a nonpolitical, not-for-profit medical society founded in 1922 to advance and support scientific research and education related to anesthesia, and to improve patient care through basic research. The IARS contributes nearly $1 million annually to fund anesthesia research; sponsors an annual forum for anesthesiology leaders to share information and ideas; maintains a worldwide membership of more than 15,000 health professionals in anesthesia-related practice; sponsors the SmartTots initiative in conjunction with the FDA; and publishes the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. Additional information about the society may be found at www.iars.org, www.anesthesia-analgesia.org, and www.openanesthesia.org.
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