Newswise — SCHAUMBURG, IL – August 18, 2014 – The American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA) was honored by the attendance of U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (IL-8) who congratulated ASA in a speech to attendees at its ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, August 16. The grand-opening event welcomed approximately 175 attendees, including ASA leaders, members, staff and guests to the building for the first time.

Other event speakers included ASA President Jane C.K. Fitch, M.D., Chair of the ASA Ad Hoc Committee on Headquarters Building Construction Steven L. Sween, M.D. and Chief Executive Officer Paul Pomerantz.

“Your participation in this event is an important step in the history of ASA’s journey to promote a deeper public understanding of the importance of safe, physician-led care. Today’s event signifies the growth of our specialty and our commitment to memorializing its history, research and contributions as well as moving powerfully into the future,” said Dr. Fitch.

Attendees had the chance to explore the building during a reception immediately following the ribbon-cutting, featuring entertainment, dinner and building tours. The three-story, 71,635 square foot building was created to meet the growing needs of its 52,000 members, whose aim, as leaders in patient safety, to ensure patients receive the highest quality care. The new facility serves as a cutting edge workspace for ASA employees and the new home of the expanded Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology.

“To all members and friends of ASA, this is your building,” said Dr. Sween. “Let it unite us in our cause to advance the practice and secure the future for this great medical specialty.”

Download photos of the ribbon-cutting event.

Learn more about the architecture and design of ASA’s new headquarters building.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 52,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology. ASA is committed to ensuring that physician anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of patients before, during, and after surgery to provide the highest quality and safest care that every patient deserves.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about the role physician anesthesiologists play in ensuring patient safety, visit asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount. Join the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2014 social conversation today. Like ASA on Facebook, follow ASALifeline on Twitter and use the hashtag #ANES2014.

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