Special article: Laurette McMechan (1878-1970): "mother of anesthetists".

Abstract

Laurette van Varseveld McMechan (1878-1970) was married to Francis Hoeffer McMechan (1879-1939), who organized the International Anesthesia Research Society and was the editor of the first journal for physician and dentist anesthetists. Although she was not a physician, she made vital contributions to the development of worldwide organized anesthesia and its journals. These were most evident after her husband became severely disabled in 1911, when Laurette McMechan worked closely with him on his efforts to organize the practice of anesthesiology and create a scholarly journal for the specialty. After his death, she continued to serve our profession for another 17 years, serving as assistant executive secretary-editor of the International Anesthesia Research Society and its journal, Current Researches in Anesthesia and Analgesia. Her life was dedicated to the profession of anesthesia. A memorial tribute labeled her "the mother of anesthetists," a title she deserved.