Department of Anesthesiology celebrates 75 years

The University of Michigan Medical School Department of Anesthesiology recognized its 75th anniversary last month during a celebration at Michigan Stadium. Nearly 400 guests attended the event on Friday, November 8, to mark the milestone.

Established in 1949-1950, the department is one of the oldest academic anesthesiology departments in the country. Today, Michigan Anesthesiology is home to nearly 1,000 members and is nationally recognized for excellence in patient care and safety, education, and innovation and research.

Paul Picton, M.B., Ch.B., MRCP, FRCA, expressed appreciation to department members during his welcome remarks.

“I feel personally heartfelt thanks to each and every person in this room,” said Picton, the David W. Learned Collegiate Professor of Anesthesiology and interim department chair. “For your dedication, your expertise, your caring, your compassion, everything you do for patients, everything you do for research, for education, it's really helped to shape the department for many, many years.”

Picton also recognized Kevin Tremper, MD, who served as chair of the department from 1991-2019.

“You’ve been a mentor — a role model — for me and so many others, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for this department,” he said. “You’ve been a faculty member in the department for nearly half of our entire history…You have built that strong foundation, which I think is going to ensure our continued success as a department."

The evening included an opportunity for attendees to tour the Michigan Football locker room and field. A slide presentation ran throughout the event, highlighting department milestones and recognizing the nearly 90 department members who have been with the Department of Anesthesiology for at least 20 years. 

Looking for more?

• View more photos from the event

• View the milestones slide show

• Submit your department photos and memories.