Society for Pediatric Anesthesia - Global Committee

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Society for Pediatric Anesthesia - Global Committee

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A standing committee of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia

The SPA Committee for International Education and Service
consists of anesthesia providers who share an interest in providing safe
anesthesia for children in parts of the world where resources are
limited. They participate in short-term voluntary surgical services,
provide educational outreach, serve with international professional
organizations, and develop resources for providers and NGOs to promote
safe care on short-term programs.

11/02/2026

05/14/2026

Exciting publication highlight from members of our SPA Global group!

We are proud to share a recently published article, “From Short-Term Exchange to Long-Term Equity: The Impact of Global Anesthesia Scholarships,” authored by members of our global anesthesia community.

This piece highlights the lasting impact of global anesthesia scholarship programs, including the SPA Global Scholars Program, in advancing leadership, mentorship, education, and patient safety across low- and middle-income countries. Since 2015, the SPA Global Scholars Program has supported pediatric anesthesiologists through mentorship and participation in national scientific meetings, enabling scholars to translate their experiences into meaningful improvements in anesthesia education, clinical care, and healthcare systems in their home countries.

These stories remind us that global anesthesia equity is built through partnership, bidirectional learning, and long-term investment in people.

Congratulations to the authors and all who continue to support this important work!

04/19/2026

03/12/2026

As part of our SPA Global Committee Spotlight series, we are honored to highlight Dr. Yashoda Khadka, an early-career anesthesiologist serving in a rural district hospital in Nepal.

Dr. Khadka’s work exemplifies the heart of SPA Global’s mission — expanding safe pediatric anesthesia access in underserved communities. In just seven months, she has delivered over 600 anesthetics, including more than 100 pediatric cases, restoring surgical services where access had been interrupted.

Her commitment to mentorship, sustainable systems, and grassroots training reflects the future of global pediatric anesthesia.

Safe anesthesia should not depend on geography.

03/01/2026

01/10/2026

Pediatric anesthesiologist Max Feinstein, MD shares his recent experiences on a mission trip to Mexico:

As a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist, I am acutely aware that where a child is born often determines whether they will survive a congenital heart defect. That reality is what makes the work of HeartCare International so vital, and why I was honored to join a recent medical mission to Chiapas, Mexico.
In many parts of the world, children born with congenital heart disease are never accurately diagnosed, placed on surgical waiting lists that stretch months to years, or simply lack access to the operations they need to live. During one intensive week in Chiapas, our volunteer team performed heart surgery on 18 children who otherwise had substantial barriers to receiving the care they needed.
Our group included pediatric cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, nurses, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and social workers from both the United States and Latin America, all volunteering their time and expertise. Just as importantly, we worked side by side with local healthcare professionals, including anesthesiology residents who were exceptionally bright, motivated, and skilled. Teaching, mentoring, and learning together was a central part of the mission.
HeartCare International’s impact goes far beyond a single week of surgery. Their model focuses on building sustainable local capacity, supporting hospitals, training teams, and facilitating long-term cardiac care throughout Latin America. Their work is not just about saving lives today, but about creating systems that can continue saving lives long into the future.

I also created a video from the trip, featuring an inside-the-OR look at a Tetralogy of Fallot repair, along with an interview with a former patient who had surgery years ago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBdagIThr0)

If you’d like to get involved with HeartCare International or support their work, I encourage you to visit https://heartcareintl.org/

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2209 Dickens Road
Richmond, VA
23230

Website

http://www.pedsanesthesia.org/, http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/139696026202/

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