SPA Young Investigator Award
The awards presentation occurred on Saturday morning. The SPA Young Investigator Award was presented to Dr. Jennifer Krupp and her co-author Dr. Christopher Bernards for an abstract on Pharmacokinetics of Intrathecally Administered Oligodeoxynucleotides. Their study showed that the administration of spinal Oligodeoxynucleotides _ which may one day be a valuable vector for gene manipulation _ have limited spread in the CSF and do not produce adequate concentrations in the brain.
Second place was awarded to M. Tay for a presentation on Using diclofenac or paracetamol for analgesia in pediatric myringotomy outpatients. Her co-author was S. Tan
AAP Resident Research Awards
AAP: Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Management gave the John J. Downes Resident Research Awards. This is an award given to the best abstracts presented by residents.
First place was awarded to B. Murphy from Wake Forest University, North for Simulated Serum Concentrations of Tranexamic Acid with Clinically used Dosing Regimens in Children During Repair of Congenital Heart Defects. His co- authors were D.G Ririe, and R.L.James Butterworth
Second place was awarded to S. Sadhasivam for his abstract on Prophylactic versus Therapeutic Ondansetron in Managing Post Strabismus Nausea and Vomiting in Children: A Comparison of Nonsurrogate and Therapeutic Outcome Measures. His co-authors were B.Sennarj, D.Shende, I.Srinvasav, D.Jagan and R.Madan.
Third place was awarded to M. Sarkar for her abstract on Hemodynamic Response of Etomidate on Induction of Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients. Her co-authors were K.Odegard, F.X.McGowan, B.Kussman, J.DiNardo, and P.Laussen.
All resident winners received a monetary award as well as having all their meeting expenses paid.
Robert M. Smith Award
The highlight of the morning was the Robert M. Smith Award, presented this year to Dr. David Steward.
Dr. Steward was trained in England and practiced there prior to going to Canada and finally California where he took over the helm of LA Children's Hospital. Dr. Steward enlightened us (especially the younger members of the audience) on Dr. R. Smith's many invaluable contributions to the field of Pediatric Anesthesia. He also reviewed a special article written in 1975 by Bob Smith on 25 years of Pediatric Anesthesia. In the article, Dr. Smith outlined five objectives that the specialty should strive to achieve. Dr. Steward reminded us of these objectives and asked the audience to think on how well we had achieved these goals and where we still had work to do:
1. Concern with child's response to anesthesia and surgery;
2. Extend capabilities of pediatric surgery through
development of increased skills and
3. To decrease the morbidity and mortality and suffering
of children undergoing surgery;
4. To improve resuscitation and support therapy
for infants and children;
5. To broaden educational and investigational aspects
of pediatric anesthesia.