Dr. DeutschWelcome From the Annual Meeting Program Chair

Welcome to the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia.  We have an outstanding program planned for you, and we are thrilled that you are joining us!

We face an ever-changing world, and the practice of anesthesiology can be a risky business!  This year’s program will focus on some of the more challenging patients that we care for in our clinical practice and the disease processes that they face.  We are extremely fortunate to have outstanding national faculty from several specialties providing us with the latest information and research available on a wide range of topics.  Plus, as an added bonus, 4 credits can be earned towards your American Board of Anesthesiology MOCA Part II Patient Safety requirements through several sessions.

We will start early with Problem Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs) and breakfast.  A wide array of topics from diverse and knowledgable society members promise to get you talking about challenging cases and unique scenarios.  The general session will then begin with Dr. Phillip Spinella, a renowned pediatric critical care physician-scientist, who will discuss the latest research on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic hemorrhagic shock from the war and how this translates to children. Dr. Nina Guzzetta, a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist and researcher, will then talk about the latest in diagnosis and management of coagulopathy.  Our next session will address the management of trauma and traumatic brain injury in the perioperative setting, beginning with Dr. David Shellington, who will present a talk on damage-control resuscitation.  Dr. Jennifer Lee-Summers will then discuss the management of pediatric patients with accidental versus non-accidental head trauma, and Dr. Nina Hardcastle will finish this session with a discussion of the pediatric anesthesiologist’s role in rescuing the injured brain.

Following an appetizing lunch, the 2nd Annual SPA Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to recognize Dr. William Greeley for his immeasurable contributions to the field of pediatric anesthesiology. 

In the afternoon, the program will turn to the world of infectious diseases!  Dr. David Weber, a renowned clinician in infectious disease and epidemiology, will discuss the emerging pathogens that we will see as our global reach expands, including the Ebola epidemic and the newer respiratory viruses affecting pediatric patients.  Then, three talented SPA members will lead a session on infectious disease in our practice.  Dr. Bridget Pearce will talk on surgical site infections and the latest literature on their control.  Dr. Justin Lockman will review the pathogens coming to an operating room near you, and Dr. Lizabeth Martin will discuss quality assurance initiatives to decrease the incidence of iatrogenic infections. 

Finally, we will close the program with the most risky business of all:  zoo anesthesia!  Dr. Mark Greenberg, a pediatric anesthesiologist who has done work at the San Diego Zoo, will talk about his experience anesthetizing animals.  This should be a fascinating and light-hearted end to a remarkable day.

It has been a true honor to present this amazing group of speakers to you!  It would not have been possible without the guidance of Drs. Randall Flick and Shobha Malviya and the hard work and support of my co-chair Peggy McNaull and our Young Turk Julie Williamson.  I am excited to present this program and know that it will be a great day!

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