American Society of Anesthesiologists Names Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA, New President

PHILADELPHIA — Donald E. Arnold, M.D., FACHE, FASA, chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Mercy Hospital in St. Louis and member of the board of directors of Western Anesthesiology Associates, Inc., in Ballwin, Missouri, was today named president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the nation’s largest organization of anesthesiologists. Dr. Arnold assumed office at the ANESTHESIOLOGY^® 2024 annual meeting and will serve for one year.

“I’m honored to be named president of ASA and committed to serving our members, supporting the Society’s mission to advance the specialty, preserving physician-led anesthesia care, and above all, providing safe, high-quality patient care,” said Dr. Arnold. “I look forward to addressing the challenges facing our specialty and working alongside our members with proactive advocacy that tackles the issues affecting our practices, such as the broken Medicare physician payment system, holding insurers accountable in payment disputes and workforce imbalances. I am also dedicated to continuing ASA’s long tradition of providing quality education, supporting scientific research and offering valuable programs that help our diverse membership thrive at every stage of their careers.”

Dr. Arnold is a member of ASA’s Executive Committee and Administrative Council. He has served ASA in numerous roles, including treasurer and assistant treasurer. He is chair of the Budget Committee and vice chair of the Committee on Representation to the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists. He has also chaired ASA’s Section on Fiscal Affairs, Committee on Quality Management and Departmental Administration, Ad Hoc Committee on Deep Sedation and Education, and Ad Hoc Committee on Payment and Care Delivery Models. Dr. Arnold was also a director and officer of the Anesthesia Quality Institute and a director and officer of the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research.

In addition to his commitments to ASA, Dr. Arnold has served as a full examiner and senior editor for the Standardized Oral Exam for the American Board of Anesthesiology, guest reviewer for Anesthesia & Analgesia and ASA liaison to The Joint Commission. He served as president of the Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) and St. Louis Society of Anesthesiologists. Dr. Arnold serves on the board of directors for the Mercy East Communities. He has been recognized by the MSA with its Distinguished Service Award and by Mercy with the Charles E. Thoele Physician Leadership Award.

“Dr. Arnold’s wisdom, expertise and vision will ensure the Society’s success in the coming year, and for years to come,” said ASA Immediate Past President Ronald L. Harter, M.D., FASA. “His knowledge of the many important issues facing our specialty is unparalleled. His perspective and thoughtful analysis of our members’ needs amid the rapidly changing health care environment are positioning ASA and our members to flourish, while keeping patient safety at the center of all that we do.” 

Dr. Arnold received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison. He completed his transitional internship at Hartford Hospital, Connecticut, and his residency in anesthesiology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, New Hampshire. He is board-certified in anesthesiology. Dr. Arnold resides in St. Louis with his wife, Tamara K. Ehlert, M.D.; they have three adult children.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 58,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future. ASA is committed to ensuring anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of all patients before, during and after surgery. ASA members also lead the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units, as well as treat pain in both acute and chronic settings.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about how anesthesiologists help ensure patient safety, visit asahq.org/madeforthismoment. Join the ANESTHESIOLOGY^® 2024 social conversation today. Like ASA on Facebook, follow ASALifeline on X and use the hashtag #ANES24.

# # #