January 2026
A New Year of Momentum Following SAM’s 30th Anniversary
Dear SAM Members,
As we begin a new year, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to each of you. It is a privilege to serve as President of the Society for Airway Management, and I am grateful for the remarkable engagement, collegiality, and leadership our members continue to demonstrate.
Building on a Landmark Year
2025 marked the 30-year anniversary of SAM, a milestone reflecting three decades of sustained commitment to advancing airway management through education, collaboration, and patient safety. This anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate how far the society has come, but also to reaffirm our mission and set the stage for continued growth.
World Airway Management Meeting (WAMM): A Major Success
SAM had a strong and highly visible presence at the World Airway Management Meeting, which was a clear success. Numerous SAM Board members and society members participated as invited speakers, panelists, workshop leaders, moderators, and abstract reviewers. The breadth and depth of SAM representation across the program highlighted the expertise within our society and reinforced SAM’s leadership role in international, multidisciplinary airway education. The quality of scientific exchange and collaboration at WAMM was a direct reflection of our members’ contributions.
Expanding Multidisciplinary and Global Engagement
Our collaboration with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) community continues to move forward meaningfully. As part of this effort, Drs. Lorraine Foley, Daniel Perin, and Patrick Olomu will lead a SAM-supported CME airway course in Texas this January, further extending SAM’s educational reach.
Looking ahead, SAM will also be represented at the COPA meeting in Brazil in April, with Drs. Mona Sarkiss and Fabricio Zasso participating on behalf of the society. These international engagements underscore SAM’s commitment to global collaboration and multidisciplinary partnership.
Meetings on the Horizon
Planning is well underway for SAM 2026 in Boston, chaired by Drs. Rick Galgon and Eric You-Ten. The program is coming together exceptionally well, with a strong emphasis on clinical relevance, innovation, and multidisciplinary participation. In parallel, early planning has begun for SAM 2027 in Toronto, continuing to build on the momentum established over the past year.
Affiliations and Academic Visibility
SAM’s continued affiliation with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and our growing academic presence through Anesthesia & Analgesia further strengthen the society’s visibility and impact. These relationships enhance opportunities for collaboration, scholarship, and engagement across the broader perioperative and airway communities.
With Gratitude
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the SAM Board of Directors—Drs. Abdelmalak, Baker, Foley, Galgon, Malito, Mosier, Parotto, Perin, Sarkiss, Siddiqui, Straker, and Zasso—as well as our ad hoc members Drs. Berkow, Hagberg, Seltz Kristensen, and Urdaneta for generously dedicating their time, expertise, and counsel to SAM meetings and initiatives throughout a highly productive and impactful 2025. Their leadership and thoughtful stewardship have been central to the society’s continued success. I am also deeply grateful to our committee leaders, faculty, volunteers, and to Anne-Marie Prince for her unwavering support and dedication.
As we move forward from our 30-year milestone, I encourage all members to remain engaged, share ideas, and continue shaping the future of airway management together.
With best wishes for a healthy and successful year ahead,
Narasimhan Jagannathan, MD, MBA
President, Society for Airway Management