From the Chair's Desk--Spring Changes

By Doug Bacon

Spring has arrived in Jackson. The grass has become green, the leaves are out and the magnolias are about to bloom. For the Department of Anesthesiology, this is a time of celebration. Our senior residents and fellows are almost fully trained and are looking forward to the next steps in their careers. Dr. Claude Brunson’s Teaching Day and graduation took place June 1. This is a very special graduation, for 30 years ago, Dr. William Gusa, the Chair for Pain Medicine and I, graduated from our training program.

On Teaching Day, our graduating residents and fellows will present the results of their intellectual projects.  Hard work does not do justice to the efforts they have put forth in creating and finishing these projects.  Each presentation will be judged half on the written manuscript and half on the oral presentation in front of a panel of judges.  First place is a prize of five hundred, second is three hundred, and third is one hundred dollars. Winners are announced at during the graduation ceremony.

Graduation this year will be held at the new Civil Rights Museum.  An impressive place, it chronicles the story of the struggle for equal rights that brought Mississippi national attention as a birthplace of the civil rights movements.  It is a moving place, and a fitting site as our residents’ transition in their professional life.  An additional unique feature for this graudation is that Dr. John Lauria, who as chair handed me my certificate of residency completion, will help hand out the diplomas to the graduating residents.

Another large transition has occurs this spring.  Dr. Raouf Daoud retired after twenty-five years serving the UMMC family as an anesthesiologist.  His kind and gentle manner is missed daily, and the department wishes him a well-deserved, long and happy retirement.

Likewise, Dr. Claude Brunson retired after serving UMMC, the department and the anesthesiologists of Mississippi for over thirty years.  Claude spent his entire career at UMMC, starting as an anesthesiology resident, serving as a faculty member in the Department of Anesthesiology, and most recently as the senior advisor to the Vice Chancellor for External Affairs.  His knowledge of the local political community, the national political scene and his untiring efforts as the American Society of Anesthesiologists Director for Mississippi cannot be surpassed.  At his retirement in March, he was awarded Emeritus Professor status, a first for the department.  In tribute to his many contributions, a fund has been set up to honor Claude.  Contributions can be made at:  https://secureforms.umc.edu/forms/BrunsonRetirement.aspx.

Spring has many challenges and many joys.  I personally am very proud of all of our residents, and hope that this spring is indeed joyful and full of anticipation.  For Raouf, I wish him a very happy retirement.  For Claude, as he has become the Executive Director of the Mississippi Medical Association, a joyous and fulfilling second career!  

I would also like to welcome our new CRNAs that have recently joined the department—Mary Heard, Joseph Sudderth, Alex Bradley, Kristen Cox, Madison Sistrunk, Abby Peppers, Emma To, and Myeshia Dixon!