Welcome

Vanessa Olbrecht, MD, MBA, FASA
Program Chair

Welcome to Denver, Colorado – where we gather not just to meet – but to elevate, innovate, and redefine excellence in pediatric anesthesia!

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the SPA-AAP Pediatric Anesthesiology 2026 meeting, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. This year’s theme, “Mile High Standards: Raising the Bar in Pediatric Anesthesia,” reflects our shared commitment to pushing boundaries, elevating care, and innovating for the smallest and most vulnerable patients we serve.

Over the next few days, we will explore cutting-edge science, share best practices, and engage in meaningful conversations that challenge us to think differently. From the latest in anesthesia techniques to emerging technologies and team-based care, this program is designed to inspire, inform, and ignite your continued passion for our specialty. And, if you cannot physically be with us, please join us virtually.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jerome Adams as our Keynote Speaker, a physician, public health leader, and tireless advocate for health equity, whose work continues to shape the nation’s response to some of its most urgent health challenges. During his time as Surgeon General, Dr. Adams helped guide the nation through a series of historic public health crises, including three consecutive category 5 hurricanes and, most notably, the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join us for a fireside chat on Saturday morning as we learn how we can elevate the care we provide for children not only inside the operating room, but how we can extend our impact far beyond its walls. We are also incredibly excited to welcome Dr. Yasuko Nagasaka as our Distinguished International Scholar. Dr. Nagasaka, a Professor of Anesthesia and the Chair and Director of the Department of Anesthesia at Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, is renowned for her pioneering work in EEG-guided pediatric anesthesia. Her research has significantly advanced safer, more efficient anesthesia practices for children, notably reducing emergence delirium and improving recovery outcomes through innovative brain monitoring technologies. We look forward to learning more about her work!

We kick off Friday morning with “Innovation at Altitude: Reaching New Heights in Anesthesia Care,” a dynamic session showcasing trailblazing advances – from novel anesthetics to real-time AI for risk stratification. Next, we turn to “Whole Child, Whole Team: Human-Centered Strategies in Pediatric Anesthesia,” highlighting approaches that put patients and care teams at the center. After a well-earned coffee break with exhibitors, we dive into “The Pinnacle of Quality: Elevating Pediatric Anesthesia Standards,” where we will explore innovations like conversational AI to enhance pediatric patient safety.  

We are honored to welcome Mr. Mark Del Monte, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), for a compelling session on the organization’s evolving role in advocacy for children’s health, and then celebrate excellence in our field with the presentation of the AAP Robert M. Smith Award.

After lunch and time with our exhibitors, we reconvene for the “SPA-SPPM Joint Session,” shifting our focus to emerging therapies and evolving practices in pediatric pain management. We wrap up Friday with a series of refresher courses designed to sharpen clinical skills and spark collaboration.

Saturday opens with the powerful “Keynote Fireside Chat” featuring Dr. Jerome Adams, former U.S. Surgeon General. His leadership and advocacy in public health and equity promise to set an inspiring tone for the day. We then shift into the dynamic “AAP Ask the Experts” session, tackling timely issues like vaccine hesitancy, anti-vaccine sentiment, and the emerging role of periprocedural vaccination in improving outcomes. We are also pleased to host the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Symposium occurring on Saturday morning, further enriching the collaborative spirit of this meeting.

Next, we spotlight pioneering research with oral poster presentations and lightning abstracts, delivering rapid-fire insights into the latest developments in pediatric anesthesia. After the moderated poster sessions and lunch, we return to a crowd favorite: “From the Editors: Notable Papers from the Past Year,” where leading voices highlight the research shaping our field. We close the day with another high-impact refresher course session, designed to reinforce clinical excellence and collaboration. and featuring a special ASA lecture entitled “How Do We Get Paid? The Economics of Anesthesiology,” presented by Dr. Patrick Giam, President of the ASA.

Do not leave early – Sunday is packed with purpose! We begin with inspiring “Updates from the SPA Grant Recipients,” spotlighting ongoing innovative work. Next, we dive into advocacy and collaboration with two impactful sessions: “Beyond the Mountain: Advocacy in Action in Pediatric Anesthesia” and “The Collaborative Climb: Elevating Collaboration to Elevate Care.” We close the morning, and the meeting, with a forward-looking session on environmental sustainability: “Rocky Mountain High, Carbon Footprint Low: Greening Pediatric Anesthesia Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”

Beyond the incredible lectures, we warmly invite you to join our workshops, seminars, and roundtables – not just to deepen your knowledge, but as a meaningful way to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections. These interactive sessions blend learning and community, enriching both your practice and professional network.

It has been an absolute honor serving as Program Chair for this meeting, and I cannot begin to express my gratitude to the entire team that made this meeting possible. A special thank you to Dr. Sean Barnes (Program Shadow), Dr. Aditee Ambardekar (Workshop/Seminar Chair), Dr. Jonathan Tan (Roundtable Chair), Dr. Diane Gordon (Workshop/Seminar Shadow), Dr. Vidya Raman (Roundtable Shadow), Dr. Justin Long (AAP Representative), and Kimberly Russo and Tamra Kelly (Co-Chairs, APP Program). And, of course, a heartfelt thank you to Kim Battle, the backbone of this entire effort… and to Jenny Patterson, Matt Carpenter, Stewart Hinckley, and the entire Ruggles team.

This year’s meeting celebrates not only the remarkable advances in pediatric anesthesia, but also the vibrant community that drives them forward. From groundbreaking research and thought-provoking discussions to hands-on learning and lasting connections, this gathering reflects our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care. Thank you for being part of this journey and bringing your voice, your passion, and your presence. You are the reason our field continues to grow, evolve, and inspire. Let’s make this a meeting to remember as we continue shaping the future of pediatric anesthesia, together.