Encouraging research, education, and scientific progress in the field of pediatric anesthesia
The SPA has made available to all members two videos from the SPA 35th Annual Meeting on October 8, 2021:
SPA Myron Yaster Lifetime Achivement Award – Please watch the award presentation and interview with the recipient Dr. Genie Heitmiller.
In Memoriam – Take a few minutes to recognize and honor the SPA members we lost in the last year.
Written By: Myron Yaster MD, Paul Samuels MD, and Juan Gutierrez-Mazorra, MD, FAAP
Dr. Theodore W. ‘Ted’ Striker, Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati passed away at home in his sleep this weekend. Ted played a pioneering role in the development of pediatric anesthesiology in the United States. As a model educator, clinician, and administrator, he shaped the careers of hundreds of physicians-in-training and imbued them with his core values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility.
During his anesthesiology residency at the University of Pennsylvania, Ted rotated at CHOP, where “an air of excitement and innovation immediately captivated him. As he put it, something just clicked”. He became the first pediatric anesthesia and critical care fellow in Jack Downes’ legendary fellowship program. After completing his training and a stint at NIH he became the first full time, academic anesthesiologist at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where he built, brick by brick, one of the most progressive departments of pediatric anesthesiology in the United States. Along with his colleagues and best friends, Drs. Juan Gutierrez-Mazzora (University of Alabama Birmingham) who I (Myron) asked to help write this, and Al Hackel (Stanford University), promulgated policies and procedures on a national level for the improvement of pediatric perioperative child care. Ted, along with Drs. Steve Hall, Mark Rockoff, and Frank McGowan was also instrumental in developing the Sub-Board in Pediatric Anesthesiology and defining “what is a pediatric anesthesiologist”. When the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia was founded in 1986, Ted was on its initial board of directors and he became a lifelong, ardent supporter of the Society. He was a beloved leader, mentor, colleague, and friend who lived his life with integrity, honesty, and curiosity. He built a diverse and talented department that will carry on his legacy of hard work, joyful practice, and respect for all. He will be missed by all who knew him.
For those who would like to know more about Ted and his many contributions see the History of Pediatric Anesthesia paper: Zulfiqar Ahmed et al. The development of pediatric anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital: an interview with Dr. Theodore Striker. Pediatric Anesthesia, 2015, Vol.25(8), p.764-769 PMID: 25989362
Recently, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) issued a statement saying that providing misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine contradicts physicians’ ethical and professional responsibilities. The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) is in strong support of this statement.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the delta variant is affecting pediatric patients to a greater extent than has been previously seen. The evidence that vaccines are safe and effective is extremely well-supported. While children under 12 years of age are still not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, encouraging all individuals who are able to get it will help to decrease the spread of this disease to children. As physicians, providing the most accurate information to our patients and their families is imperative to ensure their continued safety.
As the SPA 35th Annual Meeting in San Diego approaches, I am thrilled to finally see many of you in person in October. The safety of all our members is the top priority of the SPA Board of Directors and me. We are very aware of the continued impact of COVID-19, and our team is working hard behind the scenes to be sure that we are providing the safest environment possible for those who will be attending.
With this in mind, SPA will require proof of full vaccination for all in-person meeting attendees, exhibitors and staff. For anyone unable to meet the vaccination requirement, a negative COVID-19 test result within three days of arrival will be needed. Masks will be required in all indoor areas, and other safety measures, such as contactless badge pickup and increased disinfection of the meeting areas will be in place. While we hope that people will be able to travel to San Diego, we know this will not be possible for everyone. Therefore, the entirety of the meeting content will be available virtually as well (advanced registration required).
Between now and the meeting, we will continue to monitor the evolving public health guidance and update everyone with measures that we are taking to make this a safe and enjoyable meeting. Program Chair Dr. Jamie Peyton and his team have an incredible conference planned for us, and I look forward to seeing you in person or virtually soon.
Nina Deutsch, MD
President
Society for Pediatric Anesthesia
The leadership of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and professional societies associated with the specialty offer our support and strong encouragement for COVID-19 vaccination of the nation’s health care workers and all eligible Americans.
The health and safety of our members, our colleagues in health care, and the patients we serve is our highest priority. We believe widespread vaccination is the most effective path to reduce illness and death, and to ameliorate the impact of the pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective at significantly reducing the risk of becoming infected, spreading the infection to others, and becoming severely ill or dying from the disease. For health care personnel, COVID-19 vaccination is particularly essential because it significantly reduces the likelihood of unintentionally spreading COVID-19 to our patients, including those who may have weakened immune systems.
We believe anesthesiologists and anesthesiology professionals who work closely with patients in operating rooms and procedural areas, in hospitals and ambulatory settings, and in critical care units should be especially vested in closing the vaccination gap. We stand with all of our medical colleagues to strongly promote these efforts.
This statement is agreed upon and supported by the undersigned societies.
Beverly K. Philip, MD, FACA, FASA
President
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Samer Narouze, MD, PhD
President
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Mark Warner, MD
President
Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation
Ronald G. Pearl, MD, PhD
President
Society of Academic Associations of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
Bobbie Jean Sweitzer, MD, FACP, SAMBA-F, FASA
President
Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia
Andrew D. Shaw, MB, FCCM, FFICM, FRCA
President
Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists
Miguel A. Cobas, MD, FCCM
President
Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists
Stephanie B. Jones, MD
President
Society for Education in Anesthesia
Chanannait Paisansathan, MD, MHA
President
Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Edward (Ted) Yaghmour, MD, FASA
President
Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology
Nina Deutsch, MD
President
Society for Pediatric Anesthesia
SPA 39th Annual Meeting
October 10, 2025
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
San Antonio, TX
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Registration
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