Welcome

T. Wesley Templeton,
MD, FASA, MBA
Program Chair

Welcome to the 40th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. It is a true pleasure to gather with you for this milestone meeting, a moment not only to reflect on how far our specialty has come, but also to look forward with clarity, purpose, and ambition toward the future of pediatric anesthesia. The theme for this meeting is “Consciously Evolving the Art of Pediatric Anesthesia into the Science of Better Outcomes.” This year’s program has been thoughtfully designed to capture the evolving identity of our field, one that sits at the intersection of clinical excellence, innovation, and systems-based thinking.

We begin with a keynote address from Dr. Stefanie Blain-Moraes, who will explore the profound and complex topic of consciousness in anesthesia. This session sets the tone for the day—inviting us to examine not only what we do, but how we understand the fundamental nature of our work and its impact on the patients we serve.

From there, we transition into “Evolving the Art of Pediatric Anesthesia,” where emerging technologies and clinical challenges take center stage. Dr. Lisa Lee will discuss machine learning approaches to improving outcomes in pediatric anesthesia, followed by Dr. Brad Taicher’s insights into intraoperative blood pressure management. Dr. Julie Williamson will revisit the fundamentals of CPR in the perioperative context, and Dr. Cam Sutton will push us to reconsider the expanding boundaries of anesthesia care in non-operating room environments.

After connecting with colleagues during the morning break, we look ahead in “Seeing into the Future.” This session highlights innovations that are already reshaping practice, from under-utilized generative AI tools presented by Dr. Sanjiv Mehta, to novel pharmacologic agents such as remimazolam with Dr. Keira Mason, and evolving perspectives on perioperative respiratory risk reduction and TIVA from Dr. Clyde Matava.

We will then adjourn for lunch with our exhibitors. Following lunch, we turn our attention to an increasingly important dimension of our profession: “The Business of Pediatric Anesthesia.” Here, Dr. Doyle Lim will give us an update on workforce challenges. Dr. Andrew Costandi will give a talk on current transplant logistics. We will also here from former ASA President Dr. Mary Dale Peterson on some of the implications of the planned Medicaid cuts which should provide critical context for the systems in which we practice. This session will close with a focus on professional development with a thought-provoking discussion on the value of getting an MBA with perspectives from several leaders on how this may or may not influence career opportunities, and the evolving skillset required of modern anesthesiologists who want to become leaders locally and nationally.

Before diving into our final session, we will enjoy a sweet ice cream break to recharge. We close the day with “Pediatric Anesthesia Short Takes for Better Outcomes,” a dynamic session that reflects the breadth of our specialty. We will get current updates on the issue of Venezuelan Children and mitochondrial sensitivity to sevoflurane, pediatric stroke, renal replacement therapy in the operating room, devices, and the growing role of data collaboratives such as the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group (MPOG), these concise talks emphasize actionable knowledge that can immediately inform practice.

Beyond the formal program, this meeting is equally about building connections and strengthening the community that defines the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. We encourage you to engage fully throughout the day and to join us for the evening reception as we celebrate this shared experience.

I would like to thank our incredible planning committee: Dr. Alecia Stein (Program Co-Chair), Dr. Theodora Wingert (Program Shadow), Dr. John Fiadjoe (Education Committee Chair and SPA President Elect), as well as the amazing Kim Battle (Association Executive) and the Ruggles team for their dedication and leadership. It has been an honor to contribute to the development of this program.

Thank you for being here, for the work you do every day, and for your continued commitment to advancing the care of children. Welcome to the meeting.