HISTORY WORLD FEDERATION of ANESTHESIOLOGISTS

Origins of the International Anesthesia Research Society, Anesthesia & Analgesia, and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists: Lasting Legacies of Francis McMechan, MD

“…In Paris, the physicians voted to establish an organizing committee chaired by Dr Griffith of IARS, in the hopes of creating a new international anesthesia society by 1955. 16 IARS proved to be the most significant and influential supporter of the up-and-coming WFSA. Over the ensuing years, IARS provided secretarial assistance and funded travel for organizing committee members to meet regularly.…”

“…In 1951, the IARS board of trustees collaborated with the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland to hold their annual Congress of Anesthetists in London. 16 Not only was the meeting a success, with several hundred anesthesiologists from North America and Europe in attendance, it was also followed 2 weeks later by a second equally exciting international anesthesia conference in Paris. Sponsored by the Société Francaise d’Anesthésiologie, an organization led by French surgeons interested in anesthesia, the meeting allowed North American and European anesthesiologists to gather twice within a brief period of time.…”

“…In Paris, the physicians voted to establish an organizing committee chaired by Dr Griffith of IARS, in the hopes of creating a new international anesthesia society by 1955. 16…”

“…16 As Dr Griffith, WFSA founding president and IARS Board of Trustees chair, would later reflect, "A spirit which could be described as almost a religious fervor seemed to animate many of the delegates, not just scientific calm." 16…”

International Connections: The Surprising Outreach of Anesthesia & Analgesia and the International Anesthesia Research Society Over the Past 100 Years

“…3 Under the direction of Harry Seldon, IARS had translated, edited, and published the proceedings of that meeting, at a cost of $10,000. 21 d…”