


For the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), the in early May served as a forum for regional anesthesia and pain medicine specialists worldwide to celebrate the organization’s half-century milestone. At an event marking 50 years of progress in “honoring our legacy and building our future” in regional anesthesia and pain medicine, several Anesthesiology faculty in the field were recognized for their contributions to the specialty:
- Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Daniel McMillan, MD, and Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Sandeep Dhanjal, MD, were chosen as recipients of the 2025. This annual award honors physician educators who have demonstrated innovation, impact, and sustained excellence in teaching regional anesthesia and/or pain medicine and who exemplify outstanding commitment to education through innovation and effectiveness in knowledge delivery. Anesthesiology Chair Ted Sakai, MD, PhD, MHA, FASA, noted: “Drs. McMillan and Dhanjal have each shown unwavering dedication to education and mentorship, and this recognition highlights their influential contributions to shaping the next generation of anesthesiologists.”
Professor of Anesthesiology and Regional Anesthesia Division Chief Stuart Grant, MB ChB, had two major honors at the spring .- ASRA‘s Board of Directors named Dr. Grant to the organization’s executive track. In this role, Dr. Grant will serve first as Treasurer, followed by President-Elect, and ultimately as President of ASRAPain Medicine.
- Dr. Grant abstract overviewing a 20-day sensory radiofrequency (RF) nerve block developed under his leadership was named one of the ASRA meeting’s three “Best of Meeting” abstracts. Dr. Grant’s innovative, first-of-kind nerve block was developed as a proof‑of‑concept series demonstrating that targeted RF at >20 kHz can silence nociceptive pathways for three weeks, with no measurable motor weakness or proprioceptive drift (intact motor function). This groundbreaking development paves the way for long‑duration, post‑op pain patient relief without crutches, falls, or bulky braces.Dr. Sakai noted: “Dr. Grant’s involvement with ASRA aligns with the organization’s commitment to high-quality education, exemplified by its flagship journal, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and its prestigious research grants. This is a momentous achievement for both Dr. Grant and Anesthesiology. We are immensely proud of his selection to the ASRA’s executive track and look forward to Dr. Grant representing our department with distinction, further enhancing our already outstanding national reputation.”
Regarding Dr. Grant’s nerve block breakthrough, Dr. Nanda stated, “It’s rare that our field sees a technique developed with this kind of upside and such a clean safety profile. This is a big win for research clinical regional anesthesia researchers and for our reputation as a breeding ground for disruptive regional anesthesia ideas that are groundbreaking innovations.”
#ASRASPRING25