Welcome

Galaxy Li, MD
Program Chair

Welcome to our Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine’s Annual Meeting!

It is my honor to serve as conference chair and help bring together the brightest minds in pediatric pain management, all converging in the “mile-high city” of Denver! Our Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine (SPPM) Education Committee has thoroughly reviewed your suggestions from past meetings to create an exciting program celebrating “Innovations in Pain Management: the Sky’s the Limit!” Showcasing the latest research in pain management, our symposium undoubtedly leads to spirited discussion challenging our current practice as we consider future directions. This year’s summit loosely features six musically-themed sessions of inspiring talks that not only celebrate the rich culture of the Western land we are visiting, but also memorable advances in pain management, most of which originate right from our own membership base!

After a presidential welcome, our first session commences with Dr. Renee Manworren introducing artificial intelligence innovations in what has historically been considered subjective pain recognition in infants. Dr. Senthil Packiasabathy follows with an eye-opening overview on the use of quantitative pupillometry for monitoring pediatric pain. The final lecture of our initial session entitled “Over My Head: Novel Methods of Monitoring Pain,” delivered by Dr. Yoni Ashar, outlines individual differences and fMRI biomarkers in pain processing.  The title of this initial session is a nod to pianist and lead vocalist Isaac Slade, a native of Boulder, who founded the Fray in 2002 and launched their band to international fame in 2005 with hits like “Over My Head (Cable Car) on their album “How to Save a Life.”

Our second session of lectures, “Inside Out: Evolutionary Transitions in Pain Management,” pinpoints important research that breaks the norm and connects internal and external factors of pain management.  Although it has long been thought that many pediatric pain conditions have a better prognosis than adult pain, Dr. Shreela Palit opens with sobering data that there may be room for improvement along with potential solutions towards bridging the gap between the two age groups. Dr. Sarah Nelson then uncovers how chronic pain in children can lead to toxic stress that negatively impacts their physical and emotional health and further burdens their recovery. We then join Dr. Neels Groenewald who leads a provocative study exploring a variety of factors that can link postoperative opioid use with opioid misuse in adolescents. Completing this set is Dr. Diane Gordon, who illustrates how we can actively make environmentally sustainable choices in treating our children’s pain as our use of intravenous acetaminophen evolves in a maturing sea of ERAS protocols.  This session’s title references the achievements of Denver native Philip Bailey, who graced our ears with his wide vocal range in his 1986 album “Inside Out.” Prior to becoming a solo artist, he was known as one of the two lead singers of the funk band Earth, Wind and Fire.

“Act of Defiance: Innovative Approaches to Fibromyalgia” is our third session that highlights updates in our care for those with juvenile fibromyalgia.  After an introduction to the condition and its history of diagnostic challenges by Dr. Lynn Rusy, prepare for a chronological overview of physical therapy modalities by Dr. Anita Davis, followed by recent and ongoing research explained by psychologist Dr. Wendy Gaultney that transforms the framework of fibromyalgia management.  Then, join me in a special live patient interview by Dr. Henry Huang to learn about the patient’s perspective of fibromyalgia. Made possible with SPPM’s partnership with US Pain Foundation, “Jacob’s Expert View on Life with Juvenile Fibromyalgia” is designed to leave a human impression behind the condition that we have spent decades studying.  “Act of Defiance” is also the name of Lakewood, CO guitarist Chris Broderick’s band after he toured and recorded multiple albums with thrash metal band Megadeath over seven years. Graduating from University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music with a degree in classical guitar performance, his technical prowess attracted many in the early 1990s when he also taught private lessons.

Join one of six intriguing problem-based learning discussions or expert roundtable discussions over lunch (with dessert options!) before it’s off to Session IV: “Sweet Emotion: The Future is Now,” a salute to rock band Aerosmith’s bassist Tom Hamilton, who hails from Colorado Springs. He wrote hit songs such as “Sweet Emotion,” released with Columbia Records in 1975. In this session, Dr. Katie Handlogten delivers updates on our use of virtual reality based on a national survey via our Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Improvement Network. Dr. Vipin Bansal showcases an exciting new mobile device application that can streamline our clinical and educational workflow. Dr. Sarah Rebstock highlights her Monitored Augmented Rehab System for children battling pain, while APRN Jennifer Pfeiffer unleashes the power of animal-assisted interventions with the nation’s first use of miniature horses for pediatric pain. SPPM devotes our war against pain in children and babies alongside providers with backgrounds in physical therapy, psychology, basic neuroscience, nursing, physical medicine & rehabilitation, psychiatry, general pediatrics, palliative care, neurology, anesthesiology and more.

“My Blue Heaven” is our fifth session that stars our attendees’ sky-high accomplishments - the best posters of our conference, including an update from SPPM Young Investigator Research Award recipient Dr. Gina Russell on her study of formal regional anesthetic techniques vs. local anesthetic infiltration for postoperative analgesia after single ventricle cardiac surgery. The winners then present their memorable research. This session is named after Denver’s King of Jazz Paul Whiteman, who was also recognized for his talent in forming his own orchestra in 1920, and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1973.

“Take me Home, Country Roads: What’s Hip and Hot to bring Home” is the sixth and final session bound to bring you back to your seats to reflect upon the unforgettable work of perennial favorite folk singer John Denver.  Dr. Julie Good enlightens us with unique partnerships we have with our palliative care providers when it comes to pain management for children at the end of life. Dr. Viviana Ruiz Barros then addresses the latest developments in caring for those with pain from burns. Dr. Laura Chin shares a few sound regional anesthetic options for infants and children undergoing hip surgery, while Dr. Andrew Braith sends us off satisfied with the latest regional anesthesia techniques.

Dr. Gordon’s message is particularly relevant at a time when we reflect on the impact our healthcare practices have on our environment, and, as climate change has come to the forefront. Do you recall the excitement that ensued when intravenous acetaminophen emerged, and the quality improvement projects that followed to avoid unintentional overdose or repeat intraoperative and postoperative administration? Or the countless cost-benefit-analyses? We now have tools to make the most effective decisions on how we treat our children’s pain and also minimize our carbon footprint! Since our transportation comprises a major source of our carbon footprint of in-person meetings, don’t forget to purchase carbon offsets when registering, thanks to our partnership with Terrapass. If you have attended our conference in the past, don’t forget to bring your own water bottle and reuse your lanyard! SPPM continues to welcome conference attendees from all over our planet with support for virtual attendance, especially after the success of our inaugural SPPM Global conference and its 2024 relaunch. You’ll have access to recordings of our enriching lectures after the conference, regardless of whether you’re virtually registered or joining me in-person.

If you enjoy attending our symposium, please share with us your thoughts in the evaluations and consider joining our Society.  Your feedback is crucial for future meetings to come. The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia - American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Anesthesiology 2026 meeting kicks off the following day, complete with a joint SPPM session featuring Dr. Charles Berde discussing novel analgesic development based on rare disease gene targets, Dr. Mihaela Visoiu sharing regional anesthetic techniques for neonates and infants, and Dr. Lisa Isaac introducing the role of transitional pain services for perioperative children. 

This conference would not be possible without the expert guidance of SPPM President Dr. Stephen Hays, SPPM Immediate Past President Dr. Yuan-Chi Lin, SPPM Vice President and Education Committee Chair Dr. Vidya Chidambaran, Annual Meeting Program Co-chair Dr. Tricia Vecchione, Program Shadow Dr. Genevieve D’Souza, Affiliate Program Shadow Dr. Alvina Rosales, my wonderful spouse Kama, loving parents Mary and Anson, and the Ruggles team, especially Kim Battle, Stewart Hinkley, and Jenny Patterson. Thanks again to all for both virtually joining us and in-person here in the beautiful city of Denver.