James Wamsley
Riverside Community Hospital
From enjoying our nation’s beautiful capital to vital political advocacy and lectures on public policy and the inner workings of Congress, LegCon was an exciting, engaging, and exceptional event.
The conference was a great opportunity to learn about political advocacy, the impact of public policy, and professional development. Some of my personal highlights included meeting with congressional staff for Scott Peters (CA-50), Sarah Jacobs (CA-51), and Mark Takano (CA-39); attending a resident-specific panel featuring our own Antonio Hernandez Conte, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.S.A., and ASA President Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA; and visiting the U.S. Capitol Building, where several members of the House of Representatives spoke to ASA members during a reception. The conference was complemented by all that Washington, D.C., has to offer, including wonderful spring weather, superb dining, museums, and memorials. Following a busy day of meetings on Capitol Hill, I joined residents from Pennsylvania and Connecticut to walk down the National Mall, ending at the Lincoln Memorial.
I now have a deeper understanding of the importance of anesthesiologists advocating for our field. Thanks to the CSA scholarship, residents and attendings worked side by side in meetings with policymakers to advance our policy objectives and explain our vital role in the OR, providing critical care while advancing patient safety.
This was a wonderful experience, and I am so grateful to CSA for the opportunities it provides to its members.
Yalda Toofan
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
With a foundation in global health advocacy, attending the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., was a pivotal experience in my journey toward becoming a nationally engaged physician advocate. My previous work in Uganda and underserved U.S. communities taught me the importance of equity and access. However, as I progressed through residency, I began to understand the equally urgent need for advocacy within our national health systems—particularly in the evolving and often uncertain political landscape surrounding anesthesiology and patient safety.
At the ASA Legislative Conference, I engaged directly with policymakers, representing the state of California and amplifying the voices of my colleagues and patients. It was eye-opening to see how clinical expertise can be translated into meaningful policy discussions—especially around issues like perioperative care access, provider scope of practice, and reimbursement reform. It was also empowering to connect with like-minded anesthesiologists who believe that our duty to patients extends beyond the operating room.
This experience solidified my commitment to advocacy on both global and national levels. As I continue my training, including an upcoming fellowship in obstetric anesthesiology, I remain deeply motivated to use my clinical insights to push for policies that ensure equitable, safe, and patient-centered care. Advocacy is no longer a parallel interest—it’s a core component of the physician I strive to become.
Carol Girgiss
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
With a longstanding interest in health policy and prior internships with multiple lawmakers, I was eager to participate in federal-level discussions at the ASA Legislative Conference with the California delegation, organized by the California Society of Anesthesiologists (CSA). What I gained, however, went far beyond policy knowledge—it was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of what truly makes advocacy in medicine effective.
I learned how important it is to tailor your message based on the background, district, and priorities of each congressperson. Our advocacy for physician-led, team-based anesthesia care in the VA, timely insurance reimbursement, and Medicare payment reform had to be framed differently depending on the audience. Some were highly receptive, while others were less engaged. Informing congressional offices about our work and building strong relationships are vital to advancing our goals and collaborating with policymakers—ultimately united by a shared commitment to the health of our patients, their constituents. I also learned the power of storytelling. While we rely on statistics in medicine, personal anecdotes had a greater impact in political discussions. At the same time, I saw the value of presenting as a unified, prepared team—distributing talking points, reading the room, and strategically choosing who would speak when. Another key insight was understanding that legislators operate with both political and legislative goals. Framing our issues in a way that aligned with their constituents’ needs helped build common ground, regardless of political party.
Overall, this experience taught me that effective advocacy goes far beyond understanding policy—it requires clear communication, interpersonal insight, and adaptability. It reinforced my commitment to continue advocating for anesthesiologists and our patients throughout my career, working to ensure high-quality, physician-led care, fair compensation, and essential workplace protections. These are not just policy goals—they are foundational to the future of our specialty and the well-being of those we serve.