The CSA Committee on the History of Anesthesia congratulates the second-place winner of the 2025 CSA History of Anesthesia Essay Contest: Carol Girgiss, MD, author of “Collegiality and Friendship: The Cornerstone of Morgan and Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology.”
Dr. Girgiss, a CA-2 resident at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, was born in Egypt and raised in San Diego. She enjoys cooking dishes from around the world and running along the California coast.
By Carol Girgiss, MD
Few textbooks have shaped the education of anesthesiologists quite like Morgan and Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology. Since its publication in 1992,1 the book has been translated into ten languages and has earned a reputation as a trusted resource, making it a bestselling anesthesia textbook.2 Yet, behind its global impact lies the story of two colleagues and friends whose collaboration brought the book to life. Brought together by a shared purpose and complementary strengths, George Edward Morgan, Jr., MD, and Maged S. Mikhail, MD, created something greater than either could have achieved alone. Their partnership, rooted in mutual trust and a deep dedication to teaching, has left a lasting mark on the field of anesthesiology.
Growing up in Pasadena, California, Dr. Morgan was deeply influenced by his father, an ophthalmologist who envisioned a similar future for his son. While naturally interested in business, Morgan ultimately chose medicine, majoring in biology at the University of Southern California (USC). His journey, however, was not without its challenges. Despite his ambitions, he was accepted into only two medical schools, one of which was USC. He later discovered that a mistake on his transcript—a misreported physics grade—had limited his options. Reflecting on this setback, Morgan saw it as a twist of fate, noting that without it, he may had never met Mikhail or co-authored the textbook that would come to shape anesthesia education for generations. Although a career in ophthalmology was expected, Morgan was drawn instead to anesthesiology, captivated by its blend of technology, pharmacology, and the immediacy of critical care.3
Dr. Mikhail’s path to anesthesiology was similarly guided by curiosity and a quest for intellectual fulfillment, shaped by his immersion in a family steeped in academic excellence. Enveloped by the influence of an orthopedic surgeon father, an ophthalmologist grandfather, and a geologist grandfather who authored a textbook in his field, Mikhail’s early environment fostered a deep passion for knowledge. However, it was during medical school at the University of Florida that he developed a keen interest in critical care. Initially, Mikhail trained in internal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), but found the work less stimulating than he had envisioned. After much reflection, he transitioned to anesthesiology at UCLA—a choice that transformed the trajectory of his career.4
Residency often brings together individuals with diverse strengths and personalities, fostering an environment in which collaboration is essential. Morgan and Mikhail could not have been more different—Morgan, an extrovert with a charismatic personality, and Mikhail, introverted and reserved. Yet, they quickly found support in each other amidst the pressures of training, bonding over late-night mango sorbet runs, tennis matches on off days, and eventually, family vacations. What could have been an isolating and stressful experience became the foundation for a lifelong friendship that grew deeper with time, intertwining their personal and professional lives.3,4
After residency, Mikhail returned to Florida to pursue a critical care fellowship, while Morgan accepted a faculty position at the University of Miami. Morgan later returned to USC, where he became the director of medical education for the anesthesia residency program and managed the anesthesia division at the Doheny Eye Institute while pursuing an MBA. Initially, Mikhail considered a private practice career, but his passion for education ultimately led him to accept a faculty position at USC. He was recruited by Morgan and his mentor, Duraiyah Thangathurai, MD. At USC, Mikhail combined his critical care expertise with his love for teaching, setting the stage for the pivotal partnership with Morgan that would define their careers and contributions to anesthesiology.3,4
While serving in leadership roles at USC, Morgan was approached by Alexander Kugushev of Lange Medical Books with an intriguing proposal: writing an anesthesia textbook. Lange had published textbooks for nearly every specialty—except anesthesia. Morgan saw this gap as reflective of how anesthesia was often perceived as a hidden and overlooked specialty. He also felt the opportunity was a stroke of fate. Years earlier, while applying to medical school, a family friend named Daniel Vaughan had gifted him a copy of the Lange Ophthalmology textbook he had authored. Coincidentally, his wife had also won the Lange Award at her medical school graduation. The name “Lange” had become a recurring theme in Morgan’s life. Without hesitation, he turned to Mikhail for help. “I knew I could rely on him, because right is right [for Mikhail],” Morgan recalled, emphasizing Mikhail’s diligence and unwavering integrity.3,4
Their vision for the textbook was clear: to be concise, comprehensive, compact, affordable, and accessible. Though their writing styles initially diverged, they read and revised each other’s work until their voices blended seamlessly. Morgan, fueled by energy and efficiency, completed his sections within a year, while Mikhail, ever the perfectionist, spent five years carefully crafting his chapters to ensure every detail was precise and every concept crystal clear. Their dedication to excellence extended beyond their own expertise. They consulted specialists in pharmacology and other subspecialties to guarantee accuracy and relevance.
Their contrasting personalities proved instrumental to the project’s success. Morgan, the compelling negotiator, effectively promoted the book; Mikhail’s meticulous attention to detail ensured its intellectual rigor. The result was a textbook unlike any other. Where other works were dense and fragmented, Clinical Anesthesiology stood out for its clarity, coherence, and practicality. It bridged the gap between overly simplistic guides and dense, academic texts, creating a resource that resonated with readers worldwide.3,4
The goal of academic training extends beyond enhancing one’s clinical knowledge and skills—it also fosters lifelong friendships that form the foundation for collegiality and collaboration, driving medical education and innovation. Morgan and Mikhail’s friendship, built during residency, became the cornerstone of a textbook that has impacted anesthesiologists and medical professionals around the world. Their story offers inspiration. Great achievements are often born not from individual brilliance alone, but from the collective effort of those who work together, united by a shared vision and mutual respect.
References:
- Morgan GE, Mikhail MS. Clinical Anesthesiology. 1st ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1992.
- Foreword. In: Butterworth IV JF, Mackey DC, Wasnick JD. eds. Morgan & Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology, 7e. McGraw-Hill Education; 2022. Accessed January 3, 2025. https://accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=3194§ionid=266517069
- G, E, Morgan, personal communication, December 20th, 2024
- M, S, Mikhail, personal communication, December 13th, 2024