The Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors (AACD) Perioperative Leadership Summit, titled “Positive Disruption: Harnessing the Cadence of ORganizational Life,” brought perioperative leaders from around the world together in Austin, Texas. As an ASA-affiliated society, the AACD curated a multidisciplinary program focused on current priorities and challenges in perioperative care, including artificial intelligence (AI), perioperative medicine, OR leadership, generational workforce dynamics, staffing shortages, and evolving practice models.

In March 2025, the Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors (AACD) hosted its annual Perioperative Leadership Summit in Tampa, FL, bringing together anesthesia professionals to engage in critical discussions at the intersection of clinical care and business operations.

This year’s summit, titled “Social Circuitry: Wiring the OR-ganization,” focused on the essential themes of organizational culture and development, offering insightful perspectives on topics such as operating room design, the balance between efficiency and empathy, and the complex micro- and macro-environments surrounding perioperative services.

The AACD Perioperative Leadership Summit is an annual event that provides a unique forum for anesthesiologists to hear from renowned experts on the most pressing issues in the field. In addition to expert presentations, the summit also features the highly regarded Scientific Abstract Competition, showcasing innovative ideas and inspiring advancements in the field of anesthesia.

A highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Dr. David Etzioni, Chair of Surgery at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, who emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by anesthesia providers, surgeons, nurses, and technicians. Dr. Etzioni’s address served as a reminder of the collective efforts still needed to advance care and improve patient outcomes.