Commentary

American Society of Anesthesiologists Grills Members on Support for DEI

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • June 27, 2025

It appears the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is numb to the real interests of its members.

The ASA sent out a survey, obtained by Do No Harm, asking its members to share their opinions on a series of prompts related to DEI and DEI trainings.

It’s not clear how this information is relevant or helpful to an organization representing anesthesiologists, but according to the survey, the ASA plans to use it to inform its DEI trainings and educational offerings.

First, the survey prompts readers with misleading and favorable definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

In particular, the survey states that “equity” ensures “that everyone has access to similar opportunities,” and that “inclusion” ensures that all individuals “have equal access to opportunities, resources, and participation in all aspects of society, organizations, or communities.”

Figure 1. A screenshot from the ASA survey,

In practice, however, DEI does the exact opposite: it restricts access to opportunities on the basis of race, doing so in the name of achieving “equity” and “diversity.”

Later in the survey, the ASA asks members to answer how important it is for health professionals to receive DEI competency training.

Figure 2. A screenshot from the ASA survey.

Next, the ASA asks members specifically how much training they have received on DEI at various stages of their educational journey.

Figure 3. A screenshot from the ASA survey.

And finally, the ASA asks its members to answer whether they believe they’ve received “enough” DEI training.

Figure 4. A screenshot from the ASA survey.

The ASA’s DEI-related activities provide some clues on how the organization plans to use this information; on its website, the ASA lists a host of diversity resources and statements in support of DEI.

For instance, the ASA maintains a graphic on its website explaining how each “Strategic Pillar” upholds the organization’s DEI principles.

“ASA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are not mere window-dressing. We are committed to integrating DEI efforts into each of our seven strategic pillars,” an ASA statement accompanying the graphic reads. “We support and empower committees and staff to produce work product that drives meaningful change. And we are developing and tracking objective measures of success, attaching metrics to established DEI goals to ensure we are on track to a more equitably and inclusive future.”

Figure 5. A screenshot of the ASA’s “Strategic Pillars” demonstrating the organization’s commitment to DEI.

The ASA’s DEI page also links to a lecture titled “Anesthesiology must lead in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

In other areas of the website, the ASA’s commitment to DEI is also on full display.

For instance, the organization advertises its DEI principles on its web page promoting careers within ASA.

“We are committed to increasing the representation of individuals from groups underrepresented in anesthesiology and ensuring that future Anesthesiologists have the tools to care for patients from diverse backgrounds,” the ASA Medical Student Component’s diversity statement reads.

The website also contains a DEI lecture series, including an interview with an anesthesiologist at the University of Chicago who discussed “the importance of the social determinants of health and his efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.”

The ASA, like many other medical associations, appears more concerned with imposing a divisive and discriminatory ideology onto its members than furthering the interests of the medical field.