Welcome

Tammy N. Wang, MD
Program Chair

The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia’s planning committee is delighted to welcome you to Philadelphia for our 38th Annual Meeting. We are excited to have you join us at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown in the city where the first hospital dedicated solely to children's care in the U.S. originated. Our meeting theme, “Honoring the Past, Innovating the Future” celebrates our heritage and recognizes the forward-thinking nature of our specialty and society members.

We commence our day with Dr. Meghan Lane-Fall, Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care and Executive Director of the Penn Implementation Science Center.  Her keynote on the transformative power of implementation science redefines our approach to behavioral change within our specialty. Prepare to be inspired and challenged!

Next, dive into our dynamic session on Opioids and Cannabinoids, starting with Dr. Amber Borucki's expert insights into the perioperative management of mixed opioid agonists and antagonists. Following this, Dr. Adam Adler begins a journey taking us through the complexities of opioid stewardship. Dr. Lisa Einhorn introduces us to innovative uses of methadone, an old medication. Finally, Dr. Ashley Colletti demystifies the emerging role of cannabinoids in the modern perioperative setting.

After a stimulating coffee break with the exhibitors, the Airway Surgery session starts with a deep dive into historical and new techniques with otolaryngologist Dr. Michael Rutter who provides us with an overview of the evolution of various airway surgical techniques and their impact on the collaboration of our two specialties. Dr. Melissa Brooks Peterson then covers essential strategies in the perioperative management of tracheostomies. Finally, Dr. Manon Hache enlightens us with best practices and recent innovations for tonsil and adenoid surgery, an everyday procedure for pediatric anesthesiologists.

A networking lunch with our exhibitors and colleagues is a perfect opportunity to refresh and forge valuable connections within our vibrant community. Following this, we explore the delicate art of neonatal anesthesia starting with the ABCs of BPD by Dr. Tanna Boyer. Next, Dr. Olivia Nelson discusses neonatal ventilation and transport, a challenge many of us face on a daily basis when anesthetizing these fragile patients. Neonatologist Dr. Kevin Dysart gives us an expert review on balancing fluid and blood management in infants. This session concludes with Dr. Jurgen de Graaff reviewing best practices in neonatal blood pressure management, sustaining the tiniest lives in our care.

Indulge in an ice cream break with the exhibitors before we conclude our meeting with the celebrated traditional PEDx session. During this potpourri of 15-minute talks, innovation meets clinical excellence. Pediatric intensivist Dr. Julie Fitzgerald specializes in the care of oncology patients in the ICU and explains the recent groundbreaking immunotherapy CAR-T. Next, we learn about the foreign body complications related to magnets found in children's toys from Dr. Christina Diaz. Because many of us work at institutions with a growing number of specialized surgical teams, Dr. Constance Houck’s review of team dynamics and surgeon-anesthesiologist dyads will aid us in considering their impact on patient care and outcomes. Dr. Aidan Tait teaches us how to recognize and report medical child abuse in the perioperative setting. Pediatric intensivist and anesthesiologist Dr. Shawn Jackson closes out our program by reviewing the recent evidence on management of pediatric sepsis in the intraoperative setting.

Finally, cap off the day with an evening reception of networking and discovery at the Mutter Museum. Enjoy the company of colleagues, old and new, in one of the city’s most illustrious venues. Transportation will be provided, and we eagerly anticipate your participation in this memorable close to our day's discussions.

It has been the greatest honor serving as program chair for this meeting. Assembling this amazing program was truly a team effort. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Dr. Vanessa Olbrecht (Program Co-Chair), Dr. Jerry Chao (Program Shadow), Dr. Jeong-Rim Lee (International Program Shadow), Dr. Peggy McNaull (SPA Education Committee Chair/President-Elect), Dr. Jim Fehr (SPA President), and the irreplaceable Kim Battle (Association Executive) and the Ruggles team for all their wisdom, support, dedication and teamwork. Please enjoy the meeting and your stay in Philadelphia.