Welcome

Welcome to the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia in San Antonio, Texas!

 

We are thrilled to have you join us for this year’s meeting. Our theme, “Creating Safe Spaces,” reflects our collective commitment to safety - for our pediatric patients and for the healthcare professionals and teams who care for them, in the operating room and beyond.

 

We kick off the meeting with an engaging keynote address by Dr. Ingrid Nembhard, who will speak on Psychological Safety, setting the stage for a day focused on trust, collaboration, and delivering high-quality care.

 

Following the keynote, our session “Safe Spaces for Our Patients” will feature Dr. Hubert Benzon, who will discuss how to select appropriate patients and procedures for ambulatory surgery centers. Dr. Brittany Willer will explore the impact of social determinants on pediatric anesthesia care, while Dr. Mohamed Rehman will share insights from the Anesthesia Incident Reporting System (AIRS). Dr. Chelsea Willie will highlight the role of simulation-based training in preparing teams for rare pediatric emergencies.

 

After a coffee break with our exhibitors, we’ll continue with “Pediatric Anesthesia Updates,” a session that reflects on the evolution of our field and looks ahead to its future. Dr. Scott Cook-Sather will share his perspective on the journey of an academic pediatric anesthesiologist. Dr. Greg Latham will explore the metabolic effects of anesthetics on the developing myocardium, and Dr. Andrew Davidson will guide us through a discussion of the most widely read papers in pediatric anesthesia.

 

Our networking lunch with exhibitors and colleagues will offer an excellent opportunity to pause, connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships within our vibrant community. Following lunch, we turn our attention to “The Future of the Pediatric Anesthesia Workforce.” Dr. Jed Wolpaw will discuss new approaches to fellowship recruitment in pediatric anesthesiology, while Dr. Amy Vinson will address the importance of structural and cultural changes to support clinician well-being in perioperative and acute care settings. Dr. Kenneth Wayman will highlight how intelligent practice management can redefine success in pediatric anesthesia and improve long-term professional fulfillment. Dr. Anne Elisa Cossu will conclude the session with a discussion on the pros and cons of physician unionization.

 

Before diving into our final session, we’ll enjoy a sweet ice cream break to recharge. We’ll then wrap up the day with “PEDx” - a series of fast-paced, thought-provoking presentations on the evolving practice of pediatric anesthesia. Dr. Jamie Schwartz will share strategies for supporting local communities through our meetings. Dr. Patrick Ross will address suicidal ideation and the road to recovery. Dr. Gabriel Soares de Sousa will present findings from the Latin American Surgical Outcomes Study. Dr. Justin Hamrick will discuss perioperative management of endoscopic ventricular drains, and Dr. Stephen Flynn will highlight the impact of just-in-time coaching for novice infant airway management.

 

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible planning committee: Dr. Wes Templeton (Program Co-Chair), Dr. Jemma Kang (Program Shadow), Dr. John Fiadjoe (SPA Vice President and Education Committee Chair), and Dr. Peggy McNaull (SPA President) as well as the amazing Kim Battle (Association Executive) and the Ruggles team for their dedication and leadership.

 

We hope you find this meeting an enriching opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to the future of pediatric anesthesia. Welcome to the meeting!