Spring Is Here — And So Are We
It is Spring 🌷 — and conference season is in full swing. For CSA, that means we’re coming off
our biggest annual meeting yet, watching California leaders shine on the world stage, and
staying focused on what we’re here to do: show up for you.
🎉 CSA Annual Conference: A Record Year
Our Annual Conference, held April 10–12 at the Disneyland Hotel, exceeded every expectation — with
over 350 registrants, a new record. Committee meetings kicked off on April 9th, followed by focused
workshops, a reception to remember, and our Board of Directors meeting.
Saturday evening we presented the President’s Impact Awards at our Annual Networking Reception,
recognizing outstanding CSA members across five categories:
- Educator of the Year — Rita Agarwal, MD, FAAP, FASA
- Physician Advocate of the Year — Antonio Hernandez Conte, MD, MBA, FASA. In recognition
- of his extraordinary contributions to advocacy on behalf of CSA, this award will now bear his
- name going forward.
- Clinical Innovator of the Year — Carole Lin, MD
- Rising Star of the Year — Tuan Mai, MD
- In-Training Physician of the Year — Aaron Alokozai, MD
The evening also included a special visit from California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes (SD-31)
and her sister, Clarissa Cervantes, Riverside City Council Member and Assembly candidate. Senator
Cervantes chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and has been a strong voice for women’s health
and maternal care — priorities that resonate deeply with our membership. Our legislative advocacy team
hosted both guests as part of our ongoing relationship-building with elected officials who are critical
partners in protecting patients and physician-led care in California.
We were also honored to welcome Dr. Stacey Watt, President of the New York State Society of
Anesthesiologists (NYSSA), and Dr. Elizabeth Rebello, President of the Texas Society of
Anesthesiologists (TSA). This marked a historic first — the three largest component state societies of the
ASA are all led by women presidents at the same time. It was a moment worth celebrating, and one I will
not forget.
We were also pleased to welcome Dr. Kraig de Lanzac, MD, MBA, FASA, First Vice President of the
American Society of Anesthesiologists, who joined us to deliver the ASA Update. Dr. de Lanzac’s
presence underscored the strong and active partnership between CSA and ASA.
Our Leffingwell Lecture was delivered by Dr. Narendra Trivedi, MD, FASA — CSA Past President and
Innovations Champion at Kaiser Permanente — on the topic “My Journey to Leadership: From a Small
Village in India to the USA.” His story resonated deeply with everyone in the room.
🌎California on the World Stage
The past week has been a remarkable one for our specialty. The ASRA Annual Regional Anesthesia
and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting brought colleagues to Phoenix, while the World Congress of
Anesthesiologists (WCA) convened in Marrakech, Morocco — with California members and leaders
prominent at both.
Spotlight
Dr. Adrian Gelb delivered the prestigious Harold Griffith Lecture at the WCA on April 17 — titled “Can
Anaesthesiologists Lead on Patient Safety Again?” A past president of the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA), Dr. Gelb is also chair of our upcoming Fall CSA Conference in November, with a speaker lineup already worth the trip. We hope to see you there.
🤝CSA Is Here for You
Life and medicine feel uncertain right now. Many of us are navigating real unknowns — in our practices,
our institutions, our profession. CSA is not standing still.
Our divisions are actively at work on your behalf. The Educational Programs Division will be
conducting a strategic assessment and planning meeting in the coming months to ensure our education
offerings continue to meet your needs. Our Communications Division is actively strengthening our
website and social media presence and working to ensure member benefits are squarely aligned with
what you actually need. More to come.
Spring is a good reminder that things grow, even in uncertain conditions. I am grateful to be growing
alongside each of you.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your CSA President.
Christina Menor, MD, MS, FASA
President, California Society of Anesthesiologists
ASA Delegate | North Hollywood, CA