John J. Bonica, M.D.*
JOHN J. BONICA, M.D.
Dr. John J. Bonica of Seattle, Washington was installed as President of the American Society of
Anesthesiologists at the close of the Society’s annual meeting in Denver. He succeeds Dr. Perry
P. Volpitto of Augusta, Georgia.
Dr. Bonica, who is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at the
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, has served the ASA in many important
posts. In 1958 he was elected Second Vice President and served in that capacity for one year. In
1963 he was elected First Vice President and in 1964 the Society selected him as its President Elect.
Dr. Bonica has made many scientific contributions to his specialty. He is particularly well known
for his studies in the management of pain, regional anesthesia, and obstetric anesthesia.
A graduate of New York University (B.A.), Dr. Bonica earned his M.D. at Marquette University
in 1942. He interned and took his residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York. Dr. Bonica
served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946 and the following year entered private
practice in Tacoma, Washington. He was appointed to his present post in 1960.
Dr. Bonica is an Honorary President of the Argentine, Italian, Venezuelan, and other foreign
anesthesia societies. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of
Societies of Anaesthesiologists.
ASA Newsletter. 1965;29(11).