On Thursday, October 24th, the Boston Global Anesthesia Initiative (BGAI) meeting brought together physicians, researchers, and trainees from Boston-area anesthesia programs to discuss global health and promote collaborative efforts. Initially created as a forum within Harvard’s anesthesia departments to exchange global health experiences, opportunities, and research, the BGAI has since grown to welcome participants from all anesthesia programs in the Boston area. 

The evening was hosted by Drs. Annette Schure and Charles J. Coté at their residence, “The Elephant House.” Dr. Coté, Director of Clinical Pediatric Research at Mass General Hospital for Children and a Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, is a recognized expert in pediatric anesthesia and has published extensively, including A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children. Dr. Schure, a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, also has a strong commitment to advancing pediatric anesthesia care. 

Around 20 attendees represented prominent institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Boston Children’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). BIDMC was represented by Shweta Golhar, Hyun Kee Chung, residents Rory McCaughan and Eli Michel, and Huma Hussain. 

Throughout the evening, everyone discussed diverse global health projects and collaborations with healthcare teams from countries such as Uganda, Brazil, Thailand, India, and Botswana. A highlight of the event was an introduction by Dr. Faye Evans, a pediatric anesthesiologist from Boston Children’s, to the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA), emphasizing its role in promoting safe anesthesia practices worldwide. 

The BGAI meeting highlighted the dedication of Boston’s anesthesia community to advancing global health and establishing meaningful cross-continental partnerships in healthcare.