National leadership roles assumed by two Loma Linda medical faculty members

Two faculty members from Loma Linda University School of Medicine were recently elected national leaders in their respective medical specialties.

Professor of anesthesiology Linda Mason, MD, was elected in October as first vice president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, which has more than 52,000 members. As part of the executive committee, she helps expedite, execute and administer the society’s policies.

“I am honored to be elected first vice president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists,” says Mason, who is also an alumna of LLU School of Medicine and a practitioner at LLU Medical Center.

“This is a critical time for the specialty of anesthesiology,” she says, “and I am committed to preserving patient safety, patient rights and the role of physician anesthesiologists as leaders in these important issues.”  The society serves to advocate for the highest standards in anesthesiology practice and patient care.

Daniel Mills, MD, associate clinical professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, is now president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, an organization devoted to patient safety, education and the advancement of the profession, with more than 2,600 members.

Mills says, “It is a privilege to be at the helm of one of the most prestigious and important organizations in our specialty, especially during the organization’s 50th anniversary.

“As a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Medicine class of 1982, I am dually honored to be a representative of Loma Linda University as a leader in plastic surgery,” concludes Mills, who also has a private practice in Laguna Beach, California.

Mason’s and Mills’ careers have demonstrated their longstanding commitment to enhance their specialties through activities such as lecturing, publication editing, volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership in professional societies.

Roger Hadley, MD, dean of the School of Medicine, notes that Mason and Mills exemplify the commitment of the medical faculty to improve patient care.

“Our professors not only bring up the next generation of outstanding physicians, but they also work to ensure the continual advancement of the healing arts in the United States,” Hadley says.