Dr. Charles Gibbs (Photo provided)

SARANAC LAKE — Following more than two decades of active involvement in the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, Dr. Charles Gibbs recently announced his retirement as the organization’s Speaker of the House of Delegates.  

NYSSA, the state’s representative body of anesthesia practitioners, convenes annually in New York City to host the Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesiology, a five-day meeting that attracts more than 4,000 anesthesiologists from around the world. 

Dr. Gibbs’ colleagues at NYSSA first elected him as speaker of the house of delegates four years ago, after he moved up through the ranks of the organization. He has served in the position each year since then, and was responsible for conducting meetings, following parliamentary procedure and keeping discussion on track among his colleagues. 

“For more than 70 years, the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists has been offering continuing medical education to the practicing anesthesiologist,” Dr. Gibbs said. “I have been proud to serve on the Reference Committees, as Delegate to the House of Delegates, as Vice-Speaker of the House of Delegates and to end my career as Speaker of the House of Delegates.”

Dr. Gibbs officially retired from the position at the annual assembly in December 2016, where he was presented with a plaque honoring his service to the organization, plus the gavel he used to call the assembly to order during his time as speaker. 

The popular Saranac Lake anesthesiologist has been involved in the organization for several decades. His participation in NYSSA activities helped give voice to physician practice issues from the rural North Country, which often vary widely from those in more populated areas. 

“As the current president, and a longtime leader of NYSSA, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Chuck Gibbs for many years. He has been instrumental in streamlining our organization’s meeting processes, while at the same time being a mentor to many current and future NYSSA leaders. His calming presence, patience and leadership will be missed,” said NYSSA President Rose Berkun, M.D.

Dr. Gibbs retired from practicing anesthesiology in 2011. He has served as a respected member of the Adirondack Health Foundation Board of Directors since 2010. 

Originally from Liverpool, New York, Dr. Gibbs graduated from Upstate Medical Center in 1977 then performed his residency there, achieving the role of Chief Resident by the time he completed the program in 1980. He also gained experience as a Pain Management Fellow with the Syracuse VA Medical Center. 

After moving to Saranac Lake in 1985, Dr. Gibbs established Adirondack Anesthesia Services with Dr. David Rowell. It was the first all-physician anesthesia practice in the area, and it remained the only one until 2009.

“I am proud of the legacy my group left behind. We provided physician anesthesiologists for 25 years, ran an acute and chronic pain service and introduced patient controlled analgesia to the hospital,” Dr. Gibbs said. “I have enjoyed living and working in the Adirondacks. It is a great place to raise a family.”

With his loving wife Rene, senior clinical system analyst in Adirondack Health’s Information Systems department, the couple raised two daughters: Emily Gibbs-Davis, 34, now a resident of Falls Church, Virginia, and Shannon Gibbs, 36, who lives in Telluride, Colorado.

Dr. Gibbs and his wife are looking forward to years of good health, enjoying time with family and traveling. 

Dr. Gibbs was an honoree at the 2009 Adirondack Health Foundation Gala. He has also been a member of the New York State Board for Medicine, the Franklin County Medical Society, and the Medical Society of New York State.