Surgical site infections (SSI) affect roughly 3% of all surgical patients, can lead to severe morbidity and mortality, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars per occurrence. Many variables affect the incidence of SSIs, such as surgical checklists, antibiotic prophylaxis, hand hygiene, body temperature, inspired gas concentrations, glycemic state, fluid management, blood transfusions, and even opioid administration. As the orchestrators of such variables and perioperative leaders—anesthesiologists are uniquely equipped to reduce SSIs through their clinical judgment as well as leadership skills. Despite numerous barriers, anesthesiologists continue to make great contributions to SSI reduction at both institutional and global levels.