Joining, Getting involved, Getting ahead

I am a pediatric anesthesiologist who is interested in pain management, but have not done a pain or regional anesthesia fellowship, can I join?
Of course, please join. The Society is for anyone, with any background with an interest in pediatric pain management.

Can I join if I am not an anesthesiologist?
Yes. Anyone with an interest in pediatric pain management can join. There are different categories. Please click here for more information.

What are the benefits of membership?
To highlight a few of the top current priorities of SPPM as benefits of becoming a member include:

• The Society organizes on an Annual Meeting that will share all the latest developments in pediatric pain management. All members receive a discounted rate to attend the meeting.
• The Society will be developing guidelines and policies for best practices in pediatric acute, chronic, cancer pain management and regional anesthesia, which will be made available to members.
• The Society’s mission also includes providing a home for all clinicians involved in pediatric pain related research, or in the delivery of care for children with acute, chronic, cancer pain or regional analgesia.
• The Society also actively works on advocacy efforts for improved care and outcomes in children suffering from pain.

For more information, please click here.

I am a Pediatrics resident with an interest in pain and palliative care, can I join and get involved in the Society?
Absolutely, we welcome everyone with an interest in pediatric pain management to any of our committees. We need all points of view to grow and improve care and outcomes for the patients. You can join as an Affiliate Member, with most of the benefits as full membership. Please click here for more information.

I have just finished my training; can I join the committees?
Please do, there are several standing committees: Research, Communications and Education. From time to time there will be Ad Hoc Committees. We are a young society and there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of opportunities to contribute that help shape the future of the Society.

What is the most effective way to get involved in the society?
Active contribution to the committees

• Write for the newsletter (Communications Committee) Newsletter
• Work on the website (Communications Committee)
• Contribute to Case Reports on the Website (Communications and/or Education Committee) Case Reports
• Review and moderate abstracts at the Annual Meeting (Research Committee)
• Get involved with projects and research at your institution and share your results
• Network at the Annual Meeting
• Join Education Committee and suggest topics and speakers for future meetings
• Write and present PBLDs, which can also go on Newsletter, Website or be presented at the Annual Meeting
• Write up research results or case reports for Annual Meeting
• Become a Liaison with other organizations with similar or overlapping interests
• Advocate for pediatric pain management
• Suggest other like-minded organizations to work with and liaison with.

Providing liaison to other like-minded organizations, results in leadership in the committees and recognition by membership and a move to a potential Board position.

At the same time, it is very important to develop your own career at your own institution. You want to gain expertise and be able to inform others of your findings, whether in research, clinical experiences, or practice management. Networking at annual meetings will help you understand where others perceive problems, whether they are the same or different from those you see at your institution, and where you may want to direct your efforts. Active presentations in small groups, such as a poster sessions or a PBLDs can prepare you to be the speaker at a national meeting.

I would like get involved with the leadership, what is the best way to go about doing that?
Get involved, volunteer often and complete tasks on time.
Develop your career and skills and share.
Consider ways to improve and grow the society.
Network at the meeting or by publishing (articles, case reports, website cases, newsletter etc.).

If I am not an anesthesiologist, can I get involved with committee and leadership?
Yes, we need and welcome all perspectives to grow as a society and to ultimately provide the best, comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to our pediatric patients.

I am an Advanced Practice Nurse with an interest in pediatric pain management can I get involved?
Yes, see answers above. Everyone is welcome to help and work on committees, contribute to the publications and help enhance the educational offerings for ALL members. Your input as an Affiliate member is very valuable.

My group does group billing with the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, how do I make sure that I am a member?
Check with your administrators, the SPA group billing allows members to join the SPA, CCAS and SPPM. You may choose to join all three or none or just two of these organizations.