September 2026
A New Chapter of Service, Global Collaboration, and Educational Growth
Dear SAM Members,
It is a distinct honor to serve as president of this esteemed organization for the next two years. My journey with SAM started 18 years ago in Boston, and I am proof that our society is open and supportive to anyone willing to get involved. I approach this role with deep dedication and a clear purpose: to serve all our members. I am grateful for your trust and support, which have made my progress possible. I pledge to work diligently to ensure that our society remains a leader on the global stage and, most importantly, stays dedicated to providing excellent patient care—the reason we continually strive to improve. As a student of Dr. Ovassapian and many distinguished leaders before me, I will honor their legacy and commit myself to advancing our organization. I also want to thank our Immediate Past President, Dr. Sim Jagannathan. His wisdom and leadership over the past two years have been invaluable, especially during challenging times. Thank you!
Get Involved: Committee Enrollment Now Open!
What truly sets SAM apart is the energy, dedication, and creativity of our members. Whether you’re just starting out or have been with us for years, now is the perfect time to jump in and make your mark. We’re thrilled to announce that committee enrollment is officially open! Our committees—spanning education, research, advocacy, community outreach, and more—are the heartbeat of SAM, and we want you to be part of our momentum.
Serving on a committee isn’t just rewarding; it’s fun and inspiring. You’ll build lasting friendships, grow professionally, and help shape the future of airway management. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, this is your moment. Join our vibrant community, share your ideas, and help make SAM even stronger—together!
In this spirit of service, I am pleased to share important updates about our recent achievements, growing partnerships, and an important decision regarding membership dues.
1. SAM 2026 in Boston: A Resounding Success
Our annual meeting in Boston was a tremendous success, bringing members together in a spirit of scientific excellence and collegiality. We were honored to host representatives from the Difficult Airway Society and the European Airway Management Society, further strengthening the international bonds that define SAM. The scientific program was outstanding, and Professor Orlando Hung’s Ovassapian Lecture was a highlight of the meeting.
We also had the privilege of recognizing three outstanding members of our community: Professor Marshall Kaplan, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award; Dr. Tracey Straker, also honored with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication and contributions to the Society; and Professor Carin Hagberg, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. These honors reflect decades of remarkable contributions to airway management, and we extend our warmest congratulations.
2. Our International Chapters Are Growing
We were especially proud of the strong participation from our international chapters in Boston. The American Chapter, represented by Professor Richard Levitan; the Peruvian Chapter, represented by Dr. Giselle Rivera Sin Joc; and the Indian Chapter, represented by Dr. Tanmay Tiwari, all delivered outstanding presentations during the white paper session. Their involvement demonstrates the vitality and increasing influence of our chapters within the Society.
3. A Deepening Partnership with the ASA
SAM continues to grow, and our relationship with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is stronger than ever. For the first time, we welcomed Dr. Patrick Giam, ASA President, to our annual meeting, where he shared insights and outlined the next steps in our collaboration. His presence marked an important milestone in our partnership.
At the upcoming ASA meeting in San Diego, our former president, Dr. Felipe Urdaneta, will present a lecture, “Laryngoscopy: The Next Ten Years,” moderated by Immediate Past President Dr. Sim Jagannathan. I encourage everyone to attend and show your support.
4. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Partnership Remains Active
Our collaboration with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) community remains strong. In January, we will again participate in their annual meeting in Florida, led by Professor Sim Jagannathan, Professor Lauren Berkow, and myself. This ongoing engagement highlights the enduring value of multidisciplinary partnerships in airway management.
5. Expanding Our Reach into Latin America
Our partnership with the Paulista Society of Anesthesia (Brazil) continues to flourish. For the second consecutive year, the society attended our annual meeting, represented by President Dr. Claudia Simões and CEO Mr. André Maciel. This partnership embodies the international spirit that has defined SAM since its founding in 1995.
We are also expanding our collaboration with Entrenamiento en Vías Aéreas – EVA-LA/CLASA. At their recent meeting in Mexico City, SAM was represented by Dr. Felipe Urdaneta, Dr. Maurício Malito, and Dr. Tracey Straker, who contributed lectures and workshops. This engagement further strengthens our connections with the Latin American airway community.
Building on this momentum, we are excited to announce two major initiatives: a SAM event at the COPA meeting in São Paulo in 2027, and SAM in Brazil in 2028—the first time our annual meeting will be held outside the United States and Canada. None of this would be possible without the steadfast support of our Brazilian colleagues, whose friendship, collaboration, and generosity have accompanied SAM over the years. As we plan for SAM 2028, we are deeply grateful for their partnership, which will be essential in making this historic milestone a reality. We are confident these steps will deepen our engagement with Latin America and further enrich our society.
6. Looking Ahead: SAM 2027 in Toronto
Planning is already well underway for SAM 2027 in Toronto, under the leadership of Dr. Eric You-Ten, Meeting Chair, and Dr. Fabricio Zasso, Meeting Co-Chair. I want to acknowledge their outstanding work in shaping a program that promises to continue the tradition of scientific excellence and collegiality that defines our annual meetings. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.
7. Growing Our Educational Reach: Webinars
Our webinar program has made great strides, becoming a valued source of continuing education for our members around the world. These sessions have brought expert voices on airway management directly to our community, expanding access to high-quality content regardless of geography. Building on this success, members can look forward to an even richer calendar ahead, with new topics, distinguished international faculty, and interactive formats designed to foster discussion and learning.
8. New Partnerships on the Horizon
We are actively working to establish new partnerships with the International Airway Management Society and the Department of Anesthesia at the Hospital of Guangzhou – University of Chinese Medicine. These initiatives reinforce our commitment to global collaboration and reflect the international character that has shaped SAM since its inception.
9. A Necessary Adjustment: Membership Dues
Finally, I want to share an important update: For the first time in twenty years, the Society will increase annual membership dues. This modest change is needed to help offset two decades of inflation, as dues have remained the same since the society’s early years. This increase will allow SAM to sustain and expand its educational programs, international initiatives, and member services while continuing to provide the value you expect. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, which makes all our work possible.
A Personal Reflection
If I may add a personal note: what fills me with the most pride when I look at SAM’s recent work is seeing how our society has grown into a truly global community—where members from different countries, specialties, and career stages learn from one another and work side by side to improve patient care. Watching young members take their first steps in Boston, just as I did 18 years ago, and seeing them now lead sessions, chapters, and initiatives is, to me, the greatest measure of what SAM has become.
With sincere gratitude and best wishes,
Dr. Daniel Perin, MD, PhD
President, Society for Airway Management
