 January 2026Dear SOAP Community, As we begin 2026, SOAP enters the new year with clarity of purpose and a strong sense of momentum. Over the past twelve months, our society has continued to evolve, strengthening how we support our members, how we generate and translate evidence, and how we steward the long-term health of the organization. What has mattered most is how we intentionally aligned our work with the realities of modern obstetric anesthesia practice. Across education, research, governance, and intersociety engagement, a common theme has emerged: relevance. SOAP’s initiatives are increasingly grounded in the day-to-day clinical challenges faced by anesthesiologists caring for pregnant patients, whether in academic centers, community hospitals, or resource-constrained environments. Our educational programming has emphasized practical application. Our research efforts have focused on questions that directly inform patient experience and safety. And our governance structures have been refined to ensure accountability, transparency, and meaningful opportunities for member engagement. One of the clearest expressions of this alignment has been the continued maturation of the SOAP Research Network. What began as a forum for collaboration has grown into a platform for high-quality, multicenter investigation with real clinical impact. The Network’s recent scholarly output and the success of the Research Network Symposium reflect a collective commitment to science that not only advances knowledge, but improves care at the bedside. Just as importantly, our partnership with FAER continues to invest in early-career investigators, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for obstetric anesthesia research. This year also marks an important milestone in SOAP’s financial stewardship. With combined SOAP and Endowment assets exceeding $6.7 million, we are operating from a position of stability that allows us to think long-term. The release of the inaugural SOAP Endowment Fund Annual Report reflects our commitment to transparency and responsible governance, and it underscores how philanthropy directly supports research, education, and patient-centered initiatives. I am deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this work possible. Looking ahead, much of this momentum will converge at the 2026 SOAP Annual Meeting in Montreal. Holding our meeting in Canada is a meaningful reflection of SOAP’s international identity, and the theme—From Discovery to Delivery: Bridging Research and Clinical Care in Obstetric Anesthesia—captures exactly where our specialty is headed. This meeting will showcase not only new science, but also implementation, collaboration, and the diverse voices that define our community. As the year unfolds, I encourage each of you to engage with SOAP in ways that are meaningful to you. Attending meetings, contributing to committees, participating in research, mentoring colleagues, or supporting the Endowment all support SOAP. Our strength has always come from its members, and it is that collective commitment that allows us to continue advancing safe, equitable, and compassionate care for women and newborns. Ron George, MD, FRCP BOARD STATS
COMMITTEE STATSAnnual Meeting and Live Events Committee
Education Committee
Diversity Committee
Governance Committee
Intersociety Committee
Member Value Committee
Research Committee
SOAP Headquarters
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