In mid-May, UNC’s Division of Obstetric Anesthesia represented the institution proudly at the 2023 Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) annual meeting. At this national forum of peers, UNC Obstetric Anesthesia attendees demonstrated the Department’s excellence in scholarship, leadership and engagement in advancing obstetric anesthesia. Sixteen SOAP attendees – eight faculty, one fellow, six residents and one medical student – delivered 14 presentations at this year’s meeting. The Department’s 2022-2023 Obstetric Anesthesia fellow Dr. Courtney Hood had a stellar meeting performance and was instrumental in coordinating abstract submissions.

UNC’s Division of Obstetric Anesthesia has long-standing involvement with SOAP initiatives and leadership. At this meeting, Department faculty who serve year-round on SOAP and ASA committees joined peers from across the U.S. to discuss standards of quality practice and advancement of education in obstetric anesthesia.

The 2023 SOAP meeting also served as a great occasion for UNC Anesthesiology attendees to reunite with many former UNC residents and Obstetric Anesthesia fellows from across the country.

UNC Obstetric Anesthesia Division Chief Kathleen Smith, MD, noted: “UNC was once again well represented at the 55th Annual SOAP meeting in New Orleans this year. From SOAP and ASA committee participation to poster session moderation and abstract presentation, our group was involved at a very high level.

I was incredibly impressed with the poise and expertise exhibited during all 14 of the UNC presentations. UNC continues to be highly visible and engaged in the obstetric anesthesia community.”