August 2025

Dear SOAP Community,

It is inspiring to see our society’s energy in action as summer winds down and we prepare for a busy fall. This month highlights how SOAP is moving forward with focus and purpose. Our committees are delivering new education, opening research opportunities, and building stronger connections across our membership. The continued growth of programs like our State Representatives network, SOAP Fundamentals, and PEAK series demonstrates that together we are building a society that delivers real value while advancing safer, more equitable maternity care. Thank you for being part of this momentum—your engagement is what drives SOAP forward.

As we look ahead, the work being done across SOAP reflects a shared commitment to innovation, accountability, and collaboration. A key example is the Call for Committee Interest launching September 1st, which represents more than just an opportunity to volunteer—it is a direct reflection of our new strategic directions. It is an update to our annual committee timeline that ensures that committee work is intentional, aligned with strategic goals, and designed to transform discussion into measurable outcomes. From education and research to governance and advocacy, these opportunities allow members to actively shape the future of SOAP. This spirit of progress reminds us that SOAP is more than a professional society; it is a community united by the mission to improve maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide. Together, we are building systems, knowledge, and partnerships that will have a lasting impact.

Ron George, MD, FRCP
President, Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology

BOARD STATS 

• To date, there are 51 SOAP State Representatives, and we continue to work towards securing a representative from each state.  SOAP State Representatives will provide a key contact in each state to help us reach a broader audience, as SOAP strives to meet its mission to provide safe and equitable care for women and newborns everywhere. If you know someone who is interested in becoming a SOAP State Representative, please contact SOAP HQ.  
• State Rep program – interactive map on website showing reps and MMRC.

COMMITTEE STATS 

Annual Meeting and Live Events Committee 

• Recording available in the SOAP Learning Center for attendees of both Virtual Highlights and Annual Meeting
• Save the Date! The 2026 SOAP Annual Meeting will be held April 29 - May 3, 2026 at Le Westin Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Education Committee

• Fellows Webinar was held on August 13^th. Hosted by Dr. Daly, featuring Dr. Jake Gamboa, “Global Perspectives on Obstetric Anesthesia: Challenges and Priorities for Advancing Maternal Health.” The recording is available on Open Anesthesia.

Diversity Committee 

• Chawla LaToya Mason, MD, FASA was awarded the Diversity & Inclusivity Award at the 2025 Annual Meeting
• Jordan A. Francke, MD, MPH & Sebastian M. Seifert, MD were awarded the Diversity & Inclusivity Mentored Grant at the 2025 Annual Meeting

Governance Committee 

• The Call for Committee interest will launch in September. Terms for committees will began January 1 and end on December 31. 

Intersociety Committee  

• COE Applications opened on July 15^th. Deadline: October 15^th, 2025
• Register for the COE Informational Webinar: September 3
• Support of EAGLET study

Member Value Committee 

• Fall Newsletter Call for Content – Deadline: September 2
• Mentor/Mentee Pairing Program closed August 22
• 2025 SOAP Fundamentals Registration is open! 
• Mark your calendars for the NEW SOAP PEAK: Professional Excellence Advancement Keys! This program will be a focused lecture series, allowing you to attend areas customized to your interests.
• November 13, 2025 – Quality Improvement – Registration opened August 22
• February 5, 2026 – Education
• June 25, 2026 – Career Advancement
• August 27, 2026 – Research
• Join one of the fifteen Special Interest Groups. To see a full list of the Special Interest Groups visit the SOAP website.

Research Committee  

• Research Network Symposium to be held in conjunction with the ASA Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 12^, 2025, from 10:00am – 1:00pm CST in San Antonio, TX.
• Call for proposals closed September 1
• Research Survey Request fall cycle opens July 31. Deadline to submit request: September 1.

Finance Committee 

• Combined net assets for SOAP and the SOAP Endowment were $6.7M as of April 31, 2025

SOAP Headquarters 

• Download the SOAP Educational App!
• Log into the SOAP Community! We’re happy to invite you to join the official SOAP online community platform at TradeWing! The platform has many of the features members requested.  
• Add [email protected] to your safe sender's list so you can receive announcements from SOAP Community. 
• View the full list of features and frequently asked questions.