News

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. WFSA Election 2020 results

WFSA Election 2020 results

WFSA members have elected two new Presidents, and a new Board and Council.

With 115 member societies taking part and over 300 votes cast, the 2020 election was the largest election in terms of participation and turnout in WFSA’s history.

The elections are traditionally held once every 4 years during the World Congress of Anaesthesiologists but due to the congress’s postponement the 2020 elections were held entirely online for the first time.

WFSA Board

The Board is responsible for the management of the Federation providing daily leadership, guidance and stewardship, taking account of the recommendations of the Council.

The newly elected WFSA Board is as follows:

  • Professor Adrian Gelb – President (USA)
  • Dr Wayne Morriss – President (New Zealand)
  • Professor Davy Cheng – Treasurer (Canada)
  • Professor Daniela Filipescu – Secretary (Romania)
  • Professor Walid Habre – Director Of Partnerships (Switzerland)
  • Dr Carolina Haylock-Loor – Director of Programmes (Honduras)

The Board will assume office as from the 1st October 2020. Professor Gelb and Dr Morriss have mutually agreed that Professor Gelb will serve as President for the first two years (with Dr Morriss as President Elect). After two years Dr Morriss will become President and Professor Gelb will serve as Immediate Past President.

WFSA President Prof Adrian Gelb

Following his election to President, Professor Gelb said, “I’m delighted, humbled and honoured to be elected by my fellow professionals to the Presidency of WFSA at such a pivotal moment. The challenges facing health care systems have never been more pressing and WFSA has a vitally important role to play in supporting clinicians, policy makers, and service providers the world over. “

Professor Gelb continued, “I am fortunate to take over the presidency following the outstanding leadership of Dr Jannicke Mellin-Olsen and Dr Gonzalo Barreiro. I am looking forward to working closely with WFSA’s member societies to continue to improve patient outcomes and strengthen anaesthesia globally through access to safe anesthesia.”

WFSA President Elect, Dr Wayne Morris

Dr Morriss, the new President Elect, who will take over the presidency in 2022 highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities that WFSA will face over the next four years, “The COVID-19 pandemic has helped to shine a spotlight on anaesthesiology worldwide. We have amazing skills inside and outside the operating room and it is vital that these skills are recognized and appropriately resourced.

The next 4 years will be challenging but there will also be many opportunities. The WFSA will be working hard to advocate for our specialty and protect the wellbeing of anaesthesiologists. I am looking forward to working with a great WFSA team and you all to strengthen our specialty and improve patient care worldwide.

WFSA Council

With representatives from all the Federation’s components (National Societies, Regions, Committees, WCA COC Chair), the WFSA Council provides advice and recommendations on policy and subjects of common interest to the Federation.

The newly elected WFSA Council is as follows:

Africa and the Middle East

  • Dr Philippe Mavoungou – Congo
  • Dr Bisola Onajin-Obembe – Nigeria
  • Professor Patricia Yazbeck – Lebanon

Asia

  • Professor Yuguang Huang – China
  • Professor Il-Ok Lee – Korea
  • Professor Shigeru Saito – Japan

Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

  • Dr David Pescod – Australia

Europe

  • Dr Anna Spacek – Austria
  • Professor Stefan De Hert – Belgium
  • Dr Emilia Guasch – Spain

Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands

  • Dr Luiz Fernando dos Reis Falcão – Brazil
  • Dr Pedro Ibarra – Colombia

North Americas

  • Dr Dylan Bould – Canada
  • Dr Elizabeth Drum – USA

WFSA would like to thank all those nominees, member societies and secretariat for participating in the elections.

Top