February 2026

Dear SOAP Community,

The momentum building toward the 2026 SOAP Annual Meeting in Montreal continues to be remarkable. Across the Society, we are seeing increasing engagement from members, committees, and partners who share a commitment to advancing the science and practice of obstetric anesthesia. This year’s meeting, themed “From Discovery to Delivery: Bridging Research and Clinical Care in Obstetric Anesthesia,” reflects SOAP’s central mission, to translate high-quality research into meaningful improvements in maternal care. The Annual Meeting remains the cornerstone of our educational and scientific exchange, and early indicators suggest that this year’s gathering will be one of our most dynamic and well-attended meetings in recent memory.

One particularly exciting development has been the record number of submissions to the SOAP Research Network Symposium. This surge reflects a growing appetite within our community for multicenter collaboration, implementation science, and research that directly informs clinical care. The SOAP Research Network has steadily evolved into a powerful platform for connecting investigators, refining ideas, and accelerating studies that address critical gaps in maternal health.

The 2026 Annual Meeting will also introduce new international programming, including French and Chinese symposia. These sessions represent an important step in expanding SOAP’s global engagement and recognizing the growing contributions of obstetric anesthesiologists working in diverse healthcare systems. By creating forums for discussion in multiple languages and cultural contexts, we aim to strengthen knowledge exchange, build enduring professional relationships, and better understand how innovations in obstetric anesthesia can be adapted across different practice environments.

Beyond the Annual Meeting itself, SOAP continues to strengthen its collaborative relationships with partner organizations. Our expanded partnership with the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA) and the PostGraduate Assembly Meeting in New York City represents an important opportunity to elevate the visibility of obstetric anesthesia within the broader anesthesiology community. Through joint programming, shared educational initiatives, and cross-society engagement, these partnerships allow SOAP to extend its reach while bringing new perspectives and expertise to our members. These collaborations demonstrate how strategic alignment with like-minded organizations can amplify our educational mission and help ensure that obstetric anesthesia remains a central voice in discussions.

Internally, SOAP has also implemented new committee timelines and governance structures, which began this year. These changes are designed to better align committee work with the Society’s strategic priorities and to ensure that initiatives move efficiently from concept to implementation. As a volunteer-driven organization, SOAP depends on the energy and commitment of its members, and these structural refinements aim to support that work by making it easier for committees to collaborate, communicate, and deliver results.

As we look ahead to Montreal, I am struck by how much progress is being driven by the collaborative spirit of this Society. Whether through research, education, advocacy, or mentorship, SOAP members continue to shape the future of maternal care. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Meeting and to continuing this work together as we bridge discovery and clinical practice in obstetric anesthesia.

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.  
COMMITTEE STATS 

Annual Meeting and Live Events Committee 

Education Committee

  • Teacher of the Year Award nominations closed January 5, 2026
  • Fellows Webinar was held Wednesday, February 11 at 3pm. Hosted by Dr. Jaime Daly and Dr. Emily Naoum, featuring Dr. Claire Naus, "Anesthesia for Fetal Surgery"

Diversity Committee 

Governance Committee 

  • Terms for committees began January 1 and end on December 31.
  • Call for Board Nominations closed February 11

Intersociety Committee  

  • COE Applications closed October 15
  • Support of EAGLET study

Member Value Committee 

  • Mentoring Excellence Award nominations closed January 5, 2026
  • Don’t forget to renew your membership!
  • Join one of the fifteen Special Interest Groups. To see a full list of the Special Interest Groups visit the SOAP website.

Research Committee  

  • Call for Abstracts for the 2026 Annual Meeting has closed.
    • Notifications were sent to submitters
  • Call for Proposals has closed for the Research Network Symposium held in conjunction with the 2026 SOAP Annual Meeting in Montreal!
    • Proposals are under review by the subcommittee
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!
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    • View the full list of features and frequently asked questions.