Department of Anesthesiology History 1850-2001

1913
John Evans, M.D. given the first academic appointment – Instructor in Anesthestics-at the University of Buffalo.

1923-41
Dr. Evans appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS)

1936
The first reference to the “Department of Anesthesia, U.B.” appeared in a University publication; Dr. Evans appointed the first department chairman.

1938
The University’s anesthesia residency program founded; Rose Lenahan, M.D. named the first resident of the new program.

1939
Paul W. Searles, M.D. arriving from Mayo Clinic, became the first residency trained anesthesiologist in Buffalo.

1941
Dr. Searles appointed Chairman of the department.

1948
Dr. Searles elected the first president of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA).

1954
Richard N. Terry, M.D, chosen as President, NYSSA.

1955
Clarence Durshordwe, M.D. representing the IARS, attended the First World Congress of the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA).

1967
Richard Ament, M.D. selected President of the NYSSA.

1977
Dr. Ament designated President of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

1982
Buffalo General Hospital, Erie County Medical Center and The Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo joined together to form a single UB residency training program.

1985
Dr. Ament received the Distinguished Service Award from the ASA.

1987
All residency training programs in Buffalo integrated into the UB residency training program.

1989
Jared C. Barlow, M.D., named President of NYSSA.

1992
Paul R. Knight, III, M.D. Ph.D., University of Michigan, appointed Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology, University at Buffalo.

1993
UB Anesthesiology chartered by the Residency Review Committee of Anesthesiology to provide a one-year, CA-IV program in pain management and critical care medicine.

1995
James Burdick, M.D. named President of NYSSA.

1997
Mark J. Lema, M.D. PhD. Chair of Anesthesiology at Roswell Park becomes Scientific Program Chair of PGA Annual Meeting.

1999
Mark J. Lema, M.D. SUNY-HSC at Brooklyn and Harvard Medical School is appointed interim Chair of Anesthesiology, University at Buffalo.

2001
Dr. Lema accepts Chair of Anesthesiology. Dr. Lema also serves as President of the NYSSA and General Chair of the PGA Annual Meeting.