The American Society of Anesthesiologists appointed Paul Pomerantz, currently the worldwide executive director of the Drug Information Association, as CEO, effective March 4, 2013.

Pomerantz, 60, succeeds Barbara Fossum, who has served as the Park Ridge, Ill.-based ASA's interim CEO since June, according to a news release. Fossum will continue in her role until March and then plans to retire and continue her volunteer work, according to an ASA spokeswoman.

As leader of the 18,000-member DIA, Pomerantz helped the organization expand and build relationships worldwide with health organizations, patients and students, according to the release. Pomerantz also has held senior roles with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Society of Interventional Radiology, among other groups.