Secretary-Treasurer Candidates:
Michael Hernandez, MD; Boston Children’s Hospital
My name is Mike Hernandez, and I hope that you will consider my candidacy for the PAPDA board. I took my current position as PD at Boston Children’s Hospital in 2015. It does not seem that long ago, but my joints and a decreasing running pace tell me otherwise. Over that time, I have come to know the challenges and nuances of subspecialty training in pediatric anesthesiology. Many of these challenges have been faced in the company of PAPDA members who have been strong collaborative allies and sympathetic ears for the frequent barbs a PD faces. Of all the groups I have had the fortune to join, PAPDA has been the most genuine and collaborative one. In the past, I had the honor of serving on the board to complete the term of a member at large. That was a great experience, and I would like the opportunity to serve again. I believe that PAPDA holds the promise to collectively solve problems too daunting for any one program, to advance the health of our subspecialty training, and to be a guardian of the ideals we hold against the forces (manpower, economic, etc.) that have the potential to insidiously erode our educational missions. I believe PAPDA has a responsibility to both serve its members and the larger subspecialty.
Beyond my philosophical leanings, I tend to not take things too seriously. I am told that I have a “dry” sense of humor. I am happily married (she reminds me of this from time to time), and have 2 children aged 12 and 14 who are more mature than I am. I would like the opportunity to continue working with you all as a member of the PAPDA leadership. I would endeavor to serve all its members and the subspecialty at large with enthusiasm and hard work. Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.
Monica Hoagland, MD; Children’s Hospital Colorado
I am the Program Director for the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO). I’ve been at CHCO since 2014 and previously trained and worked at Boston Children’s Hospital. I have been a member of PAPDA since 2019 and was elected to an at-large board member position last year. This year, I’m hoping to move up the ranks to the PAPDA Board of Directors, so I’m asking you to consider me for the Secretary/Treasurer position.
PAPDA has been an invaluable resource to me as a relatively new PD and I hope to use my position on the board to continue helping new PDs transition into their roles. I have a long-standing interest standardizing educational curricula and improving networking and professional development opportunities for our trainees. Outside of PAPDA, I was involved in creating a comprehensive Pediatric Anesthesia curriculum for the Anesthesia Toolbox and have served on the Editorial Board for the SPA Question of the Week (SPA QoW). Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with other PAPDA members to create the PAINTS curriculum, which I believe will be an important resource for our Pediatric Anesthesiology fellows. I am on the National Advisory Board for the Visiting Scholars in Pediatric Anesthesia Program (ViSiPAP), which gives fellows a forum for professional development and networking. I also serve as a mentor in the newly developed SPA-DEI Mentorship Program and for trainees within my institution. I believe that mentorship and professional development programs such as these are important to improving recruitment and retention of trainees into our specialty and are an important part of the PAPDA mission.
In any capacity, I look forward to continuing to work with this group to promote fellow education and professional development. Thank you for your consideration!
At-Large Director (3-Year Term) Candidates:
R. Scott Dingeman, MD, MEd, FAAP, FASA; Children’s National Hospital
R. Scott Dingeman, MD, MEd, FAAP, FASA, is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Children’s National Hospital (CNH) in Washington, DC. His areas of clinical expertise are pediatric anesthesiology, pediatric regional anesthesiology and pediatric pain management.
Dr. Dingeman received his undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Occidental College in Los Angeles. He returned to his home state of Michigan where he earned his MD from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing and Grand Rapids. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, and subsequently finished his pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Dingeman has a strong interest in medical education, and recently completed his Master of Education in the Health Professions from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. He is the former Program Director of the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the current Program Director of the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship at CNH.
Dr. Dingeman’s clinical research has focused on the use of regional anesthesiology techniques to reduce opioid consumption in children undergoing surgery, and to improve the quality of life in children living with life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and sickle cell disease. His educational research focuses on developing a cultural competency curriculum for pediatric anesthesiology fellows, which he is currently implementing at his home institution.
Among his many professional activities, Dr. Dingeman served on the board of directors for the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine, and he was the program chair for the society’s 2018 annual meeting. He is an active member the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and the International Association for the Study of Pain’s Special Interest Group on Pain in Childhood. Dr. Dingeman also serves on an international multidisciplinary consortium of experts who are creating global guidelines for supportive care in childhood oncology. He is interested in joining the PAPDA At-Large Directors to further support fellow education and program directors while fostering the growth of our subspecialty on a national level.
Emily Hesselink, MD; University of Wisconsin – Madison
Emily Hesselink is currently the Program Director of the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship at UW-Madison since November of 2023. Prior to that served as the Associate Program Director for 3 years. Interested in getting more actively involved in the PAPDA. Areas of interest within pediatric anesthesia include difficult airway management (local site PI for PeDI registry, teach at SPA Difficult Airway Workshop yearly, involved in airway research studies at our institution) and anesthesia for pediatric abdominal organ transplant (serve as the Director of Pediatric Transplant Anesthesia at UW).
Sabina A. Khan, MD; UTHealth – McGovern Medical School
“Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.” ― Napoleon Hill
“Sabina, I’ve received a job offer in the Middle East. What are your thoughts?” My husband’s inquiry interrupted my routine of tucking our son into bed.
I paused, reflecting on the past three arduous years, navigating the tumultuous seas of chemotherapy with our firstborn. The ability to compartmentalize, honed during this journey, coupled with the unwavering integrity instilled by my upbringing, fortified me as an immigrant physician facing formidable challenges.
Two years into clinical practice, I had amassed a repertoire of achievements: presentations at esteemed conferences, quality improvement projects, and contributions to medical literature. Spearheading pediatric anesthesia scoliosis program and fostering a culture of excellence, I endeavored to elevate pediatric anesthesia care, both locally and internationally.
Despite encountering hurdles in the Middle East, I remained steadfast in the pursuit of excellence. Introducing evidence-based practices, initiating collaborative projects, and advocating for inclusivity, I pledged to leave a lasting impact.
Upon returning to the US, I seamlessly transitioned back into my previous role, embarking on a journey of mentorship and advocacy. Through institutional initiatives like the community outreach program where I serve as a co-chair, I have always aimed to inspire future generations while honoring those who supported me along the way.
As one of the directors of SPAERS, our team has championed education and mentorship within a short span, embodying the ethos of teamwork and collaboration. Our accomplishments, fueled by passion and collective effort, epitomize the power of unity within the pediatric anesthesia community.
My involvement in PAPDA projects like the PAINTS curriculum underscores my commitment to education and innovation. Collaborating with esteemed specialty leaders, I strive to democratize access to knowledge and empower the next generation of anesthesiologists.
Reflecting on my journey, I am indebted to SPA for providing me with opportunities for growth and leadership. This platform has provided me some really exciting opportunities from being one of the “Rising Stars” many years ago, to conducting workshops and mentoring the future leaders. As I transition on my role from Assistant to the Program Director, I am poised to continue my legacy of mentorship and advocacy, paying forward the guidance bestowed upon me.
In seeking the Member-at-Large (3-year) position, I aspire to further shape the future of pediatric anesthesia education, in addition to contributing to PAPDA mission to the advancement of our field, both nationally and worldwide. With gratitude and determination, I look forward to the opportunity to serve and inspire.
Christine Mai, MD, MS-HPEd; Massachusetts General Hospital
I am the Program Director for the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Assistant Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. A native of Boston, my journey began at Boston University School of Medicine where I completed my medical school education, followed by anesthesia residency training at Boston Medical Center. I further specialized in pediatric anesthesia fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. After a year on faculty at Hopkins, I joined the Pediatric Anesthesia Division at MGH in 2010. I have a Masters in Health Professions Education with a concentration in simulation, which has equipped me with effective teaching methodologies, medical education research experience, and education leadership roles. I am a simulation instructor at the Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) in Boston as well as an instructor for the Pedi MOCA simulation course at the SPA. My scholarly interests focus on simulation education, curriculum development, and mentorship. I am passionate about advancing medical education research and promoting health and wellness initiatives.
Since joining PAPDA in 2018, I have been actively engaged in our community. In 2018, I developed and obtained ACGME accreditation for the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship program at MGH and became the Program Director. During the developmental stages of our fellowship program, I received invaluable mentorship and guidance from PAPDA leaders. I am grateful for the incredible support network and mentorship that this organization provides. I currently serve on the GME Task Force, where we strive to enhance feedback and reflective practices within national fellowship programs. I am actively involved in mentorship and coaching and have been a member of the Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (WELI) group for the past few years.
In addition to focusing on fellowship education, PAPDA serves as a community of practice and network for the Program Directors and Associate Program Directors. I am very grateful for the mentorship and coaching I have received from this incredible organization, and I would like to contribute in the efforts to expand and formalize our mentorship, coaching and sponsorship programs. I look forward to working with PAPDA to promote the growth and development of future pediatric anesthesiologists, emphasizing excellence in patient care, research, and education. I appreciate your consideration of my nomination and look forward to the opportunity to work with the members of PAPDA.
Megha Patel, MD; Children’s Health affiliated with UT Southwestern, Dallas
As of January 2024, I am the new PD at Children’s Health, affiliated with UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX.
Prior to this formal title, I had been involved in the education space at my institution since I arrived in 2015. I previously served as APD, developed our mock oral program, lead resident and fellow didactics, and participated in a few faculty development projects. On the national side, I am involved with the SPA education committee and have grown my involvement with the SEA. I am also a proud ABA applied (oral board) examiner.
Being as new as I am to PD, I was shy to put my name in the mix. These last few months have made me wildly aware of how much I have to learn! However, after a fair amount of introspection and peer encouragement, I realize that’s exactly why I should get involved.
I look forward to bringing a fresh (hopefully not naive!) perspective to PAPDA. With the recent turnovers in program leadership across the country, there is a huge potential to bring in new voices and ideas to continue to build and support our wonderful specialty. I am excited to collaborate with everyone across the country who share my same passion for fellowship education.
Sara Martin Robertson, MD; University of Mississippi Medical Center
Sara Martin Robertson, M.D. is an associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is a Jackson, Mississippi native who received her bachelor of science degree in biology summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi in 2006 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the recipient of the Taylor Medal in Biology. She earned her medical doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2010. She completed her anesthesiology residency in 2014 at the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences and her pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Arkansas Children’s hospital in 2015. She joined the UMMC staff in 2016.
She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Society of Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA), specifically serving on the ASA ACE Editorial Board for the past three years and as a senior editor for the SPA Case Guides currently. Robertson has given numerous presentations and case reports at national scientific meetings. Her academic interests include medical student, resident, and fellow education as well as the pediatric difficult airway. She currently serves as the Anesthesiology Residency Program Director and Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Program Director at UMMC. She resides in Madison, Mississippi, with her husband, Dr. Hess Robertson and their daughters, Lucy and Louise.
I have always wanted to serve on the PAPDA board! This group has been so great to me over the years, especially being from a smaller program. I have been able to network, make new PD friends from all over the country, and share ideas. I would be honored to serve in the MAL role.
Ashley Weinhold, MD; Washington University in St. Louis/St. Louis Children’s Hospital
I am the program director for the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship program at Washington University in St. Louis/St. Louis Children’s Hospital. I grew up in Arkansas and graduated medical school from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. I then completed my anesthesia residency at Washington University in St. Louis/BJH and completed my pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Wash U.
I have been on faculty at Wash U since completing fellowship and have been interested in fellow education since joining the faculty. I was Associate Program Director beginning in August 2020 and took over as Program Director in March 2021. We recently started a pediatric anesthesia fellows bootcamp and just completed our 2nd year.
I have enjoyed being part of PAPDA so far and learning from our meetings and discussions. This group has been a great resource and has done a lot to make positive change within our subspecialty. I would love to take a leadership role in PAPDA as we steer thru the current uncertainty and figure out what we can do to recruit and retain fantastic pediatric anesthesiologists.
At-Large Director (1-Year Term) Candidates:
Stephanie Black, MD, EdM; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
I’d be honored to serve as a Member at Large for the term expected to complete in May 2025. I’ve been the Program Director at CHOP since 2019, having served as the APD for the six years prior to that. I’ve been an active member of PAPDA for over a decade, and have been eager to serve the organization in a leadership role for some time now. My commitment to fellow education is unwavering. I’ve had the great fortune of being surrounded by passionate, inspiring, expert educators (you!) that have encouraged us to innovate and experiment in education programming and administration, often expanding our understanding of what is possible in even the most challenging times. I am committed to collaborating together to build excellence for all pediatric anesthesiology fellowships, regardless of size, longevity, pedigree, and available resources, since our collective excellence as a discipline is our shared legacy. The partnerships we have forged within PAPDA are inspiring—I have found the camaraderie and guidance of my PAPDA colleagues and the organization to be a source of tremendous insight, strength and creativity, and I would be honored to contribute as a member of the board. Thanks for your consideration.
Ruchika Gupta, MD; University of Michigan
I am the Program Director for the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital. I attended medical school at the Ohio State University, trained in anesthesiology at Northwestern University, and completed my pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at the University of Michigan. I joined the faculty at University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital in 2006. I have been a PAPDA member for three years, and I have really enjoyed my time with this group. PAPDA and its members have served as an amazingly supportive resource for me as I transitioned to APD and then later PD at the University of Michigan. I’m very eager for the opportunity to contribute back to this community.
During my time as faculty and as program director, I have spent most of my effort improving education for medical students, residents and fellows through teaching and curriculum initiatives. The APD and I have worked hard to revamp the education curriculum in our fellowship. We are making sure our fellows have a robust educational experience with increased didactic time, structured research support, and a scholarly work vision. I am also involved in Quality Improvement work within the pediatric anesthesiology division, lead neonatal ICU and perioperative integration, and engage institutional leadership routinely. In addition, as a member of the Subcommittee for Pediatric Anesthesia Education for Residents and Students (SPAERS), I have been working closely with their leadership to help increase interest and engagement in our subspecialty amongst medical students and residents.
Given the great support I received from PAPDA members and fellow program directors, I would like to give back to this community. Our website is a valuable resource that I would utilize to ensure that PAPDA members receive the guidance they need to run a successful program. Nationwide, the PAPDA website can also help create a supportive and engaging community for fellows as well. I would also like to explore The Global Health Initiatives within the fellowship programs to provide comprehensive resources and standardized approach to providing global health education opportunities within pediatric anesthesiology fellowships. In addition, joining with SPAERS, I would like to seek out ways to further engage trainees to join our field.
I look forward to many more years with PAPDA members and supporting all our colleagues in our mission to train excellent Pediatric anesthesiologists. Thank you!
