We thank all our excellent presenters and researchers for their contributions to ACCM’s Annual Research Day. We also extend our gratitude to the guest speaker, faculty moderators, student ambassadors, ACCM administrative staff, and leadership for creating an exceptional event, and congratulations again to our 2025 ACCM Research Day Award Winners!

The Pediatric ACCM Divisions (Peds Anesthesia, PICU, and PCICU) celebrated the Festival of Lights, Diwali, on October 25 to close out the week after the Annual Yaster-Nichols Lectureship and Peds ACCM History Commemoration.

Reminder: ACCM Applause is a place for us to celebrate our colleagues for the outstanding work they do every day. Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Click here to give them an Applause!

• Emily Moxley: Huge shout out to Emily for always making sure the rooms are stocked in the morning and for always being so helpful during our busy days. We see you and we appreciate all your hard work!
• Dan Forsman: Dan is such a team player! Our side of the unit was busy, and he stepped up and was hugely helpful! Dan admitted more of the patients and did an LP for us as well. He made the day run much more smoothly. Thank you!
• Joan Chouili: Joan, thank you so much for making sure my sister-in-law felt cared for when she came to ZBOR for a procedure and then several days later to endo. She was so happy to see a familiar face 🙂
• Christy Gray: Thank you so much for taking such great care of my family members, it means more than I can say. I appreciate you’re reaching out after letting me know everything went well. Sincerely, we are very grateful 🙂
• Ramola Bhambani: Thank you so much for taking care of my sister-in-law, we really appreciate it!
• Galen Shi: Dr. Shi always comes to our unit with a very positive attitude and with a smile on his face. On one of our very busy days, Dr. Shi was taking care of 3 patients that were having issues at the same time; he never left the PACU and went from patient to patient taking care of each issue and never once did his smile disappear. Dr. Shi is a true pleasure to work with.
• India Chambers: Since joining the department, India has been an incredible support. She not only showed me where things are but also proactively scheduled time with colleagues so I could onboard quickly. Her thoughtful coordination has been wonderful. Thank you, India, for the great work that you do.
• Sapna Kudchadkar: When Dr. K got my call about a VIP interested in shadowing CRNAs and the perioperative process, she didn’t hesitate and made the visit happen. Thank you for making the process as smooth as possible 🙂
• Kristin Penberthy & Andi Chernau: Thank you so much for your flexibility in letting some VIPs observe a smooth anesthetic induction with no prior notice! Much appreciated.
• Robert Greenberg: Dr. Greenberg understood the assignment when we had some VIP visitors to the pediatric ORs. Thank you for your kind words showcasing the excellent work we do and the value of CRNAs.
• Aileen Mendez: Much thanks to Aileen Mendez CRNA for discussing CRNA practice with our VIP visitors and offering the opportunity to participate in the CRNA mentoring program. Appreciate you and your excellent work!
• Alyson Greene: Alyson, thank you so much for allowing our VIP visitors to observe the textbook pediatric induction you demonstrated!
• Naheesah Dudley: Special appreciation to Naheesah Dudley for efficiently and effectively offering support to a Level 1 IR case for set up, assisting in arterial line placement and ensuring all needs were met to the anesthesia team for a sick emergency case in remote. Well done! Thank you Naheesah!
• Tamica: Thank you Tamica for really helping me out on a surprisingly busy case 1/7/2025, getting blood and running labs for a sick patient. We could not have done it without you – thank you for all your hard work!

GRANTS RECEIVED

• Dr. Jing Liu: Awarded a Merkin PNNR Center Seed Grant in December 2025 for the project “Investigating the Role of Mas-Related G-Protein-Coupled Receptor B2/X2 in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Pain.”
• Dr. Brijen Joshi: Awarded TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) funds  for the study “Bronchosleeve: An Integrated Airway Device Delivering Safer, Faster, and Cost-Effective Lung Isolation.”
• Dr. Ghallia Kaouk & Dr. Nicole Shilkofski: Awarded grant funding from the INSPIRE Scientific Committee of the International Pediatric Simulation Society for “Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Simulation-based Course on Pediatric Perioperative Emergency Care in a Resource Limited Context.”

APPOINTMENTS AND DEPARTURES

• Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar: Elected to a 2-year term as Chair of the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council (PALC).
• Dr. Cathy Lowery: Invited to join the second Johns Hopkins Hospital Advanced Practice Leadership Academy.
• Dr. James (Jake) H. Abernathy III: Transitioning to Brown University Health’s Department of Anesthesiology as Professor and Vice Chair for Strategy and Systems Innovation. We thank him for his nine years of exceptional impact and leadership in the Division of Cardiac Anesthesiology and as Executive Vice Chair.
• Dr. David Mintz: Appointed as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Chief of Anesthesiology Clinical Services at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Read the official announcement here.