Society for Pediatric Anesthesia
We make anesthesia for children safer

Written By: Rita Agarwal MD, Chandra Ramamoorthy MD, and James Fehr MD

It is with a heavy heart that we share the untimely death of our dear friend and colleague Lisa Wise-Faberowski MD, MS. Lisa was a faculty member in the Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She was a dedicated clinical pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist, scientific researcher, gentle, kind teacher, and mentor.

After a residency in pediatrics, pediatric critical care and anesthesiology, Lisa made pediatric cardiac anesthesia and critical care her calling. Her bench to bedside investigation into the effects of anesthesia on the developing brain won her several prestigious awards and honors.  She was the recipient of more than several awards including the John J. Downes Award and the young investigator award from both the Society of Neuro-Anesthesia-Critical Care and the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia.  In addition to other departmental awards, Lisa had a scientist development award from the American Heart Association. Additionally, Lisa had several grants to support her research on neuronal apoptosis in animals and children with heart disease.

Dr. Wise-Faberowski’s career took her from Duke University to the University of Florida in Gainesville, to the Children’s Hospital in Denver, University of Colorado. I (RA) had the opportunity to get to know Lisa well both professionally and personally and admired her greatly. In 2010, Lisa was recruited to join the pediatric cardiac division at Stanford University where she continued her laboratory studies on neuroapotosis in the developing brain. At Stanford, Lisa went on to obtain a Masters in Health research and outcomes. Lisa could explain findings of her research to the uninitiated in an easily understandable manner and break down really complex issues into clear and easy to follow concepts. She was a patient teacher and allowed her trainees autonomy.

Lisa was involved with several national societies including the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society (CCAS), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA). She was on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (AAP SOA), and was on the Education Planning Committee for the upcoming SPA/AAP Annual Pediatric Anesthesiology Meeting in Tampa, Florida. She was the Chair of the AUA Communication Committee and a member of the Executive Council. Lisa served on the SPA Education and Communications Committee and several ASA Committees. She has spoken nationally and internationally on a variety of topics primarily related to neuroanesthesia, neurotoxicity, and congenital cardiac anesthesia.

While Lisa appeared fragile, as if a strong wind would blow her away, beneath lay a tenacious, stoic, and strong- willed individual. Lisa was soft spoken, unfailingly gentle and kind to her trainees and laboratory assistants and was inclusive of them in her publications, of which she has many. She was a mentor and role model to multiple aspiring physicians, trainees, faculty, and clinician scientists. All who knew her recall her gentle demeanor and unfailing kindness. We have had messages from several of her trainees and colleagues expressing surprise and sadness at her untimely demise.

In reviewing her CV, I (CR) was awestruck on how much Lisa had accomplished both academically and outside of work. I have not met many individuals who could push themselves as much as Lisa did. Despite a busy clinical and research career, Lisa found time to be the team captain of her children’s basketball team, team manager of soccer teams, be a foster parent to animals and, periodically, Lisa would send me (CR) a picture of her latest fluffy friend.

Dr. Lisa Wise-Faberowski was a compassionate and dedicated physician caring for some of the sickest children. She was an amazing woman, a devoted wife, and a mother of four. She was brave in her long fight against breast cancer but never allowed her illness to define her. She will be missed by her family and many friends at Stanford and elsewhere. We mourn her untimely loss.

The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is pleased to announce the Mission Driven Mentoring Program (MDMP).

Informed by member responses to the 2020 SPA diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) survey, the MDMP aims to advance DE&I work in pediatric anesthesiology by supporting the growth and advancement of individuals who participate in these efforts. MDMP provides DE&I training through a structured curriculum and skills building through practical work. It also provides opportunities for mentees to network with DE&I faculty at the national level.

Grants will fund SPA member (including SPA trainee members)-initiated efforts that aim to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at a variety of levels within pediatric anesthesiology.  We invite proposals that can be completed during a 1-year funding period. Reflecting current opportunities, we are open to a variety of approaches to advancing DEI, e.g. quality improvement, dissemination and implementation science, advocacy, research, workforce pipeline, representation within SPA membership.

Application Submission Deadline is February 1, 2022.

Click here for more information and application criteria.

Written by:  Charles Dean Kurth, MD, FAAP; Robert Berg, MD; Wynne Morrison, MD; Vinay Nadkarni, MD; Andrew Costarino, MD; Todd Kilbaugh, MD

It is with sadness and a multitude of fond memories that we inform you that Dr. John J. “Jack” Downes, died peacefully at the age of 91, on Friday December 17, 2021. Jack served as Anesthesiologist-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (1972-1996).  He was a trailblazing giant in the fields of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine for more than half a century: a visionary pioneer, a master clinician, a rigorous educator, an inspirational leader, and a true gentleman. We mourn his death while we also appreciate and celebrate our good fortune to know Jack as friend, colleague and mentor over the last 60 years.

Jack came to the University of Pennsylvania for his residency training in anesthesiology in 1959 and was subsequently recruited to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1963. He developed a multidisciplinary approach to caring for seriously ill hospitalized children, whether following surgery or with life-threatening medical illnesses. His early defining moment was in January 1967, when he inaugurated The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s pediatric intensive care unit–the first of its kind in North America.  He was instrumental in fostering early training programs and research programs in his field. He and his colleagues inspired and trained multiple generations of pediatric anesthesiologists and intensivists and set a standard of care and professionalism that will endure far into the future. Jack was a tireless advocate for improving healthcare for children, and his persistent efforts led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fund a pioneering home care program for the care of technology dependent children in the 1970’s. In what became his trademark as a leader, he often reminisced that ‘I held on (sometimes by my fingernails) until others fell away, even if it sometimes took several years!’ He was always a passionate advocate for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, an institution that shares his dedication to advancing state-of-the-art clinical care, cutting edge discovery and rigorous interdisciplinary training to optimize outcomes for ill and injured children.

Jack will always be remembered for his utter devotion to his patients. He worked hard to make sure that every child had access to the best care possible, no matter what their background, disability, or ability to pay. He approached medicine as a moral calling. An avid student of the history of medicine, he navigated an era of rapid change in healthcare and an explosion of technology with the patient always at the center. Even following his retirement, he was a frequent visitor to Pediatrics and Anesthesiology Grand Rounds. His learned presentations on the history of Pediatric Anesthesiology and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine were a special treasure for trainees and faculty alike. He taught us the value of strategic vision, dedication and critically reflecting on our practice to continuously learn.

Those who were lucky enough to work with him, or just to meet him, will always remember his genuine curiosity, sincere humanity, keen insight and steadfast devotion to patients, colleagues, and his family. We are privileged to remember the beautiful moments we experienced with him, and how those moments will continue to influence us and make us better healthcare providers and better people.