Leading the Way

“Board-certified anesthesiologists are set apart by their willingness to keep learning. Certification encourages that continuous learning and ensures you are keeping up with the current standards in anesthesia practice.”

Meet ABA Director Stephanie B. Jones, M.D.
Dr. Jones is chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. She previously served in the department of anesthesiology at Albany Medical College as chair and professor. Past experience also includes serving as residency program director and vice-chair for education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Learn more about Dr. Jones here.

Tell us why you are passionate about anesthesiology.
I initially did not think I would go with anesthesiology as my specialty choice. I often joke that sometimes other people know you better than you know yourself. My husband, a surgery resident at the time, encouraged me to try anesthesiology, and he was right.

I enjoy being in a position where I am taking care of people in some of their most vulnerable moments and ensuring their safety. Anesthesiology is such a broad specialty, with a variety of different ways to practice and an array of non-clinical leadership opportunities.

What is the biggest misconception surrounding anesthesiology?
The biggest misconception surrounding anesthesiology is that we don’t need to relate to patients. It’s the opposite. We must communicate effectively in a short window of time with people we have most likely just met and who are going through an incredibly stressful experience.

When you look at some of the things that we test in our ABA certification exams, that’s exactly why. It’s not just knowing the book knowledge, it’s knowing how to relate to people and make them feel safe and stay safe.

What qualities set board-certified anesthesiologists apart?
Board-certified anesthesiologists are set apart by their willingness to keep learning. I trained at a time when many new medications and approaches were introduced. If I continued to practice the way I was initially taught, very few of the things I learned would exist anymore. Certification encourages that continuous learning and ensures you are keeping up with the current standards in anesthesia practice.

How have your continuing certification activities translated to your practice?
I have learned about developments in certain areas of anesthesiology because of MOCA Minute. For example, I do not often practice in obstetric anesthesia, but I have been able to learn about advancements because I happened to get a MOCA Minute question pertaining to that area, leading me to read and discover more. MOCA Minute presents knowledge that I may not actively seek on my own.

What does the future of continuing certification look like?
Our goal is to make continuing certification as seamless and personalized as possible. I envision walking into any anesthesia meeting in the country and having ABA GO tell me what sessions I should attend based on how I answered my MOCA Minutes questions. Having more interactivity when it comes to continuing certification will make the process increasingly fun, interesting and targeted.

Why did you want to become a member of the ABA Board of Directors?
Becoming a member of the ABA Board of Directors felt like a natural evolution of the work I was already doing. I have always had a passion for anesthesia education, and being a Board Director has given me the opportunity to continue that by focusing on how we teach our peers and continuing to do the best we can for our patients.

What do you do when you’re not practicing anesthesia?
My husband and I spend a lot of time with theater, sports and concerts. In the summer, we spend a lot of time doing outdoor activities or on our boat.