12/24: Turning Three: Growth, Goodbyes, and the Road Ahead
Hey everyone,
As we approach our three-year anniversary (mark your calendars for 2/25!), I’ve been reflecting on this incredible journey. The community we’ve built together has been truly life-affirming—my wife even told me she’s never seen me happier, and you all are a big reason for that!
This year has been full of growth and fresh energy. We welcomed amazing contributors—Can Aksu, Mo Esfahanian, and Maria C. Solórzano-Aldana—who’ve brought so much enthusiasm and brilliant ideas. Plus, we’ve got two more contributors lined up with exciting projects we can’t wait to unveil.
While it feels like we’ve spent much of this year in the “lab,” hatching plans, there’s plenty of exciting work underway—EOI, lumbar plexus, SIFI, POCUS (which always seems to be a work in progress), and landmark/USG caudal techniques. If all goes well, we’ll have many of these ready to unwrap by the end of the year or very early next year. And a huge shoutout to Carolina, Maria, Vinicius, and Can for all the amazing progress with our Spanish, Portuguese, and Turkish translations.
With growth comes change, and we’re saying goodbye to two foundational members: Natalie Barnett and Sampaguita Tafoya.
Natalie has been with us from the very beginning—even before we officially launched. She has been so much more than a contributor; she’s been a source of insight, a trusted friend, and someone whose presence elevates everyone around her. Fun fact: she’s one of only two people ever to teach me a block I couldn’t figure out on my own (and trust me, that’s no small feat!). Before stepping away, she left us a parting gift: a thoughtful contribution to our ‘Parent’s’ Corner on premedication, reflecting her unwavering commitment to helping others.
Sam Tafoya’s brilliance first caught my attention during a SPA lecture on advanced pediatric regional techniques. The talk, while underappreciated by the audience, struck a deep chord with me. It came at a moment when I needed inspiration the most, and I knew immediately I had found a kindred spirit. When she decided to join our efforts, it brought a renewed sense of purpose and energy at a time when I felt the weight of carrying too much alone. Her contributions, along with Natalie’s, have been pivotal—it’s no overstatement to say that we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.
Saying goodbye to them is tough, but I’m endlessly grateful for everything they’ve shared with us. Please join me in celebrating their incredible contributions—not just to us, but to our community and field as a whole. This is farewell, but absolutely not goodbye.
We’re also thrilled to celebrate Deepa Kattail’s promotion to Associate Editor! Deepa, your contributions, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes, are nothing short of extraordinary. You make my ability to “keep plates spinning” seem amateur at best. I’m eager to see the mark you’ll make in this new leadership role; your vision, dedication, and talent will undoubtedly elevate everything we do. Congratulations!
On a lighter note, we’ve taken some big steps beyond the digital world this year. Last year’s Texas Ultrasound Extravaganza was pure magic, and this year’s pediatric regional anesthesia workshop at the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine was just as special. There’s something truly magical about being together in person.
Building on that momentum, we are thrilled to announce our very own conference in New York City, happening May 30 to June 1! It’ll feature POCUS, basic and advanced regional workshops, and even a cadaver lab for a select few. And, of course, we’re planning social events to bring us all closer together. The goal? To make the pediatric anesthesia world feel a bit smaller and this community even bigger. While this is the first conference entirely hatched by us, it won’t be the last. We can’t wait to share more details soon!
And for anyone heading to COPA in São Paulo next April, we’ll be hosting two workshops there too, so be sure to stop by and say hi (or “olá!”).
We’ve got plenty more ideas brewing—big, blue-ocean ideas. We can’t wait to share them with you in the coming months and see where this adventure takes us next.
With the holidays around the corner, I want to send our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. Your support means the world to us, and I’m so excited for what we’ll create together in the year ahead.
Happy Holidays,
John