On October 10, 2014, in New Orleans, the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) presented the first SPA Lifetime Achievement Award to Myron Yaster, M.D., founder and first president of the society. In addition to founding the society, Dr. Yaster has made innumerable contributions to the field of pediatric anesthesia. He has mentored and trained several fellows and faculty, performed cutting-edge research, and helped to advance the practice of pediatric pain management. The society has grown and flourished over the last 28 years, with innumerable accomplishments and countless opportunities for young and rising members. Yet new and significant challenges lie ahead.
The SPA represents one of the larger anesthesia subspecialty societies, with nearly 3,000 members at present. Additionally, two other societies under the SPA umbrella continue to grow. The Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society has 1,100 members, and the newly formed Society for Pediatric Pain Management has already amassed 600 members. An...
