The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has awarded John M. Zerwas, MD, Chancellor of The University of Texas System, its Distinguished Service Award. This is the highest honor given by the ASA to members who have made significant contributions to anesthesiology.
“Dr. Zerwas is deserving of the Distinguished Service Award for his long-time contributions to medicine. He is known for his commitment to education and mentoring,” said ASA President Donald E. Arnold, MD, FACHE, FASA. “Many of our members are grateful for his mentorship, which has empowered colleagues throughout the Society to serve and lead.”
The award was presented on Saturday and acknowledges Dr. Zerwas’ work in anesthesiology, public service as an elected official, and leadership in higher education. The ASA highlighted his legislative efforts to improve access to higher education and expand graduate medical education opportunities. The organization also recognized his role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a member of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Supply Chain Strike Force. Dr. Zerwas has held several leadership roles within ASA, including serving as president from 2012-2013 and holding positions such as treasurer and assistant treasurer.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by my fellow anesthesiologists,” said Dr. Zerwas. “I’m blessed to have found my calling in healthcare and education—two noble professions that are profoundly intertwined. As chancellor of Texas’ largest university system, which graduates more than half of the state’s medical doctors each year, I’m grateful that I can continue serving both professions with the shared goal of expanding access to first-class healthcare for all Americans.”
Dr. Zerwas is a native Texan who graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his internship and residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He was certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in 1987. In 1996, he co-founded a Houston-area group practice that later became part of U.S. Anesthesia Partners in 2012. He remained involved with the practice until joining the UT System in 2019 as executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs and was appointed chancellor on August 20, 2025.
The Distinguished Service Award is given annually for outstanding clinical, educational, or scientific achievement and service to the specialty and the Society. Dr. Zerwas has previously received other honors such as the Dr. Chuck Bauer Award from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (2022), the American Cancer Society Action Network’s National Distinguished Advocacy Award (2019), the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service (2020), and the CPRIT Texans Conquer Cancer Award (2023).
The ASA was founded in 1905 and represents over 59,000 members focused on advancing anesthesiology and maintaining high standards in patient care before, during, and after surgery.
