[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 126 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. ROGER W. LITWILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 6, 2004

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a leader 
in the field of medicine and an outstanding citizen of the Commonwealth 
of Virginia, Roger W. Litwiller, M.D.
  Dr. Litwiller soon will complete his term as national president of 
the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). It is my pleasure to 
recognize one of the Roanoke Valley's own as the 2003-2004 president of 
this prestigious national organization that is recognized world-wide 
for its outstanding work in improving patient safety.
  Founded in 1905, ASA is the predominant professional organization 
representing more than 39,000 anesthesiologists. Since its founding, 
ASA has been the leader in the development of patient safety standards 
and guidelines for the delivery of safe patient care before, during and 
after surgery. Efforts on the part of the organization and its members 
are recognized throughout the scientific and medical communities. The 
Institute of Medicine, in its 1999 report on medical errors, recognized 
the successes of organized anesthesiology in improving patient 
outcomes.
  Anesthesiologists either directly administer or supervise 90 percent 
of all anesthetics performed throughout this country, in hospitals and 
outpatient surgical centers, and in urban and rural areas. Besides the 
operating room, anesthesiologists are often found treating patients' 
pain and delivering critical medical care to patients in hospital 
intensive care units, emergency rooms and diagnostic facilities.
  Dr. Litwiller received his medical degree from the University of 
Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida, and completed his 
anesthesiology residency at Case Western Reserve University in 
Cleveland, Ohio, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, 
Virginia.
  He is currently a staff anesthesiologist for Carilion Roanoke 
Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia; Montgomery Regional Hospital, 
Blacksburg, Virginia; and Carilion Brambleton Ambulatory Surgery 
Center. He has worked in the private practice of anesthesiology in 
Roanoke, Virginia for more than 30 years.
  Dr. Litwiller has served the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists as 
president, newsletter editor and member of the Board of Directors.
  For ASA, Dr. Litwiller has served as president-elect, first vice 
president, delegate, director, and chair of the committees on Finance, 
Governmental Affairs and Physician Resources. During his tenure as ASA 
president, Dr. Litwiller has made unparalleled strides in bringing 
together the various practitioners in medicine--from the operating room 
to the critical care suite and beyond--who share patient safety as 
their common  goal. He has worked tirelessly with other organizations 
representing those who care for patients, and has involved ASA in 
numerous campaigns to improve surgical care.

  Through the ASA Expert Witness Review process, he has also worked to 
ensure the accuracy of testimony given in malpractice suits, thereby 
helping to address the medical liability crisis.
  He has spoken to countless groups all over the country to promote 
ASA's work, to ensure the future of academic programs in 
anesthesiology, and to tackle any threat to the continued development 
of science and research held so dear by this specialty.
  Over the last year he united the professional associations providing 
the vast majority of anesthesia care in this country by identifying 
common goals. This cooperation between anesthesiologists and certified 
registered nurse anesthetists resulted in efforts such as joint 
statements on clinical issues, visits to regulatory officials in 
Washington, D.C., and work with the Joint Commission on Accreditation 
of Healthcare Organizations on patient safety matters.
  He has been guided by a vision of compassion, science, and political 
involvement as the cornerstones of the practice of anesthesiology, and 
in so doing has set an enduring example and created a legacy for his 
colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
Roger W. Litwiller, M.D., for his notable career achievements, his 
exemplary leadership, his dedication to patient safety, and his legacy 
which will benefit the patients of today as well as tomorrow.

                          ____________________