<P> As of 2014, the organization included more than 52,000 national and international members and has more than 100 full - time employees . </P> <P> Anesthesiology's roots date back to the mid-19th century . On March 30, 1842, Crawford Long, M.D. administered the first ether anesthetic for surgery and operated to remove a tumor from a patient's neck . After the surgery, the patient revealed that he felt nothing and was not aware the surgery was over until he awoke . This was the start of a specialty critical to modern medicine, anesthesiology . </P> <P> In 1905, nine physicians (from Long Island, N.Y.) organized the first professional anesthesia society . In 1911, the Society expanded to 23 members and became the New York Society of Anesthetists . Over the next 25 years, involvement in anesthesia - related issues grew and attracted other interested physicians nationwide . In 1936, the Society changed its name to the American Society of Anesthetists . In 1945, the organization moved to become the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). In 1960, the ASA established an Executive Office in Park Ridge, Illinois to meet growing membership and patient - care demands . In 2014, the ASA opened new headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois . </P> <P> Membership is open to holders of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees who are licensed practitioners and have successfully completed a training program in anesthesiology approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA). </P>

When was the american society of anesthesiologists founded