New Monograph Launch

Celebrating 20 Years of Progress and Growth

In 2025, ESAIC proudly marks its 20th anniversary—a milestone that represents not only the passage of time, but the extraordinary evolution of the Society and the field it serves. To commemorate this occasion, ESAIC is delighted to announce the release of a special monograph, Celebrating 20 Years of Progress and Growth, written by past president Prof. Dr. Stefan De Hert.

This monograph offers more than a retrospective. It is a rich, accessible, and engaging reflection on ESAIC’s origins, its journey through key structural and strategic changes, and its growth into the leading European authority on anaesthesiology and intensive care. With clarity and insight, Prof. De Hert brings to light the people, decisions, and moments that shaped the Society’s identity—and its future.

From Fragmentation to Foundation

The story of ESAIC begins in an era marked by fragmentation. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, several European societies coexisted—each with different strengths, members, and missions, but often working in parallel rather than together. CENSA, the EAA, and the ESA all served the anaesthesia and intensive care communities across Europe, yet their competition for influence and resources limited collective progress.

The monograph traces how these groups came together, through years of negotiation, to form a single, unified organisation. The turning point came in 2005, with the signing of a Royal Decree that formalised the creation of a new entity: the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA). This event marked a new chapter, giving rise to a shared identity, common goals, and a much stronger platform for representing the profession in Europe and beyond.

Later, in 2020, ESA became ESAIC—acknowledging the increasing importance of intensive care within the speciality and affirming the Society’s broader scope and ambition.

A Society Built on Collaboration, Excellence, and Impact

Since its formation, ESAIC has grown into a dynamic, future-facing organisation focused on high standards in clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy. The monograph details this transformation, highlighting key pillars that define the Society’s work:

• Education and Certification: ESAIC has become a trusted provider of professional development through initiatives like the ESAIC Academy, simulation-based learning, and the respected EDAIC examination. The Society’s educational offerings continue to expand in both format and reach. Guidelines?
• Scientific Research and Trials: Through the Clinical Trial Network (CTN) and Academic Clinical Research Organisation (A-CRO), ESAIC supports large-scale, high-quality research across Europe, addressing practical challenges in anaesthesiology and perioperative care.
• Patient Safety: The monograph recalls the landmark signing of the Helsinki Declaration in 2010 and ESAIC’s ongoing leadership in promoting safe, evidence-based clinical practice.
• Sustainability and Ethics: In recent years, ESAIC has taken a pioneering role in embedding environmental awareness and sustainability into anaesthesia and intensive care, most notably through the 2023 Glasgow Declaration.

The monograph also pays attention to the evolution of Euroanaesthesia, ESAIC’s flagship annual congress, and its transformation into one of the world’s most prominent forums for scientific exchange in the specialty.

Preserving Our Past, Preparing for the Future

One of the most valuable aspects of the monograph is its honest exploration of ESAIC’s internal development—its governance models, cultural challenges, and learning curves. Prof. De Hert writes not only as a scholar and leader but as someone who has been deeply involved in the Society’s daily operations over the past two decades. His personal reflections, drawn from archived records and interviews with key figures, add authenticity and insight to the story.

Importantly, the monograph is not just about what ESAIC has done—it’s also about how and why it did it. It reminds us that progress in any organisation depends on shared purpose, a willingness to adapt, and open collaboration. It is a resource for anyone seeking to understand how professional communities can grow stronger together.

Celebrating Together

As ESAIC looks to the next decade, it renews its commitment to its core mission: supporting professionals and improving patient outcomes. This monograph celebrates our progress and provides a foundation for the future.

📘 Download the monograph and explore ESAIC’s story

With Gratitude

ESAIC would like to express its sincere thanks to Prof. Dr. Stefan De Hert for the immense work, time, and dedication invested in researching and writing this monograph. His deep knowledge of the Society’s history, combined with his thoughtful narrative and personal commitment, has resulted in a publication of lasting value for our members today and for generations to come.

About the Author

Prof. Dr. Stefan De Hert, MD, PhD, FESAIC
Prof. De Hert is an Emeritus Professor of Anaesthesiology and served as ESAIC President from 2018 to 2019. With a longstanding commitment to education, research, and governance, he has played a central role in the Society’s development and vision. His leadership and historical insight make him uniquely positioned to tell the story of ESAIC’s first 20 years.