UNC Department of Anesthesiology is pleased to announce the election of Professor of Anesthesiology Robert Isaak, DO, FASA, to the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) Board of Directors (BOD). Dr. Isaak officially begins his term as diplomate director following the Fall 2024 BOD Meeting, succeeding Robert Gaiser, MD. Significantly, Dr. Isaak is the first ABA Director from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 
UNC Anesthesiology Interim Chair Dr. Anthony Passannante noted: “Dr. Isaak’s selection as a [ABA Board] Director makes him one of 12 clinically active anesthesiologists in the nation so entrusted. He is committing to 12 years of service to the specialty and will be directly involved in setting standards and leading innovation as the practice of anesthesiology continues to advance. This is a significant honor and privilege.”
Within the department, Dr. Isaak oversees multiple initiatives in education, patient care and research. He has served in multiple leadership roles, including Vice Chair of Education, Director of Anesthesiology Simulation, Section Chief of Liver Transplant and Vascular Anesthesiology. Dr. Isaak has been a long-time volunteer for the ABA, working to help advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology. He has volunteered as an examiner for the APPLIED Exam since 2016. Dr. Isaak is also a past chair, vice-chair, skill group leader and team skills task force leader for the ABA Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Committee and served as a member of the ABA Space Planning Task Force.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Isaak to our Board of Directors,” says ABA Secretary Alex Macario, MD, MBA. “He is an accomplished clinician and educator who will bring valuable expertise to the ABA and the Board of Directors as we plan to further innovate and augment our initial certification and continuing certification programs.”
Dr. Isaak stated: “The ABA consistently strives to help anesthesiologists improve the health of their patients by setting the standards for the practice of anesthesiology. Given the long tradition of steadfast leadership at the ABA, it is a great honor for me to serve our specialty of anesthesiology as a diplomate director. I am excited to begin listening and engaging with our board-certified anesthesiologists, volunteers and ABA staff to find ways to innovate, broaden certification and provide value to practicing anesthesiologists.”
Click here to read the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)’s news announcement on Dr. Isaak’s election to the Board of Directors.