Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine
Better Care for Children in Pain

What do you do when kids are in pain—and the system keeps letting them down?

Pediatric pain care wasn’t just behind; it was barely on the map. While adult treatments surged ahead, the providers caring for children were left without up-to-date tools, proper training, or a place to connect.

If you’re Dr. Rita Agarwal and a handful of like-minded specialists, you create something from the ground up. “There was so much growth happening in the field,” she told us, “but not a lot connecting us.”

In this behind-the-scenes interview, Dr. Agarwal shares how a half-day conference turned into the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine—a global hub for collaboration, research, and change. It’s a story of frustration turned into momentum, and how a small group of clinicians sparked a much-needed movement.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why isn’t anyone talking about this?”—they were. And now, they’re making sure the whole world is listening.

In recognition of the importance of wellness in medicine, the SPPM Annual Meeting in Orlando opened with a special event focused on connection and relaxation. On Wednesday, March 26th, attendees gathered at the Hawks Landing Golf Course driving range at the Orlando World Center for an evening of driving practice, light hors d’oeuvres, and beverages. Colleagues had the opportunity to reconnect, enjoy the outdoors, and — with a little practice — even “Hit Different.” Thank you to all who participated in making this a memorable and uplifting start to the meeting! Events like this are why we should come together.

Welcome, Dr. Carole Lin: New Chair of the SPPM Communications Committee

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Carole Lin as the new Chair of the SPPM Communications Committee.

About Dr. Lin: Dr. Lin is a Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Stanford University, specializing in pediatric and regional anesthesiology. She is a recognized leader in sustainability initiatives and medical media, serving on multiple professional society committees and producing educational content for anesthesiology and pediatric pain audiences.

Under her leadership, the Communications Committee will expand into new media ventures including YouTube videos, webinars, infographics, podcasts, and social media campaigns. If you are creative, passionate about education, and want to showcase your work,
we invite you to join us!

Please contact Jenny Patterson [email protected] or Kim Battle [email protected] for more information about becoming part of the team.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released its newest clinical practice guideline addressing opioid prescribing for children and adolescents in outpatient settings.

Led in part by Dr. Rita Agarwal, the new guideline emphasizes a multimodal approach to pain management — prioritizing nonpharmacologic therapies and nonopioid medications, and prescribing opioids only when necessary and appropriate. The recommendations aim to improve safety, minimize risks, and address longstanding disparities in pediatric pain care.

The full guideline, Opioid Prescribing for Acute Pain Management in Children and Adolescents in Outpatient Settings, is available here: Read the Full Guideline

The Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine (SPPM) is seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to serve as the next Chair of the SPPM Communications Committee. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Deepa Kattail for her seven years of exceptional service as Chair, during which she played a pivotal role in strengthening the SPPM communication network. We now invite interested members to step forward and help guide our communication efforts in support of the society’s mission.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the SPPM Communications Committee including quarterly meetings and board reports.
• Develop and enhance communication strategies, including Question of the Month, Visual Pearl, Poll of the Month, website updates and other and social media.
• Collaborate with SPPM leadership to effectively share important society updates and initiatives.
• Engage members by promoting discussions, educational content, and events.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this opportunity or would like to nominate a colleague, please submit a brief statement of interest and relevant experience to Jenny Patterson [email protected] by March 14, 2025.

Thank you for your continued support of SPPM. We look forward to welcoming a new leader to this vital role!