Lewis H. Wright Memorial Lecture: Roger Eltringham, M.B.Ch.B., F.R.C.A., to Present ‘Anaesthesia for All’

Abstract

*Lewis H. Wright Memorial Lecture: Roger Eltringham M.B.Ch.B., F.R.C.A., to Present ‘Anaesthesia for All’ is reprinted with permission of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 520 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-2573. The Lewis H. Wright Memorial Lecture is sponsored annually by the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology (WLM) and honors its namesake who was a pioneer in American anesthesiology. Dr. Wright was committed to enhancing the stature of anesthesiology as a clinical science and as an advanced medical specialty. He was a founding member of the WLM Board of Trustees and later served as its president emeritus. In 1973, the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists endowed this lectureship to honor Dr. Wright, who died the following year. This year’s distinguished guest is Roger Eltringham, M.B.Ch.B., F.R.C.A., Consultant Anaesthestist at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom. Dr. Eltringham was born in Hampstead, London; shortly thereafter, the German bomb blitz of 1940 prompted his family to move to Kent in southeast England. He planned to become a physical education instructor but changed to a medicine major rather late in the curriculum. Dr. Eltringham received a medical degree from St. Andrews University in Scotland in 1964 and completed anaesthesia training at Bristol and the University of Colorado in Denver. In 1971, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (F.R.C.A.). Dr. Eltringham was appointed to two significant positions in 1974: Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Medical Advisor to the Gloucester Rugby Football Club. He assumed responsibility for teaching programs and exchange rotations in overseas universities. His medicine and sport careers continued for decades in Gloucester, and this is the city that anchored his travels around the world. Dr. Eltringham was elected to the Council of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland in 1980. He joined the International Relations Committee and served as Chairman from 198286. In this role, he responded to requests for help in creating curricula for anesthesia education in overseas departments. He also provided guidance on selection and maintenance of anesthesia equipment. Eventually, Dr. Eltringham “took to the road” and visited departments and hospitals to assess the challenges faced by developing countries. He gave lectures, tutorials and gentle advice to our colleagues who had limited resources. For his years of dedication and generous service, Dr. Eltringham received the Pask Certificate of Honor Award in 1995. The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland bestow this honor to recognize outstanding contributions.