It is the voice of pediatric anesthesia for the pediatric community and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is the primary means to convey issues about the quality of health for children relevant to anesthesiology on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics and through the Academy to government agencies. The Section educates pediatricians and other medical and surgical specialists in anesthesia-related issues as they apply to infants and children. It actively participates in the Academy's educational programs to familiarize its members with anesthesia-related issues as they apply to children up to 21 years of age. The Section encourages the participation of its membership in the advancement of the clinical practice of pediatric anesthesia, which includes anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, as well as the relief of pain, by serving as a forum for the presentation of research projects, either recently completed or in progress, and seminars and conferences that serve that purpose.
Most professional organizations limit their activities to addressing the needs of their members.
The Academy, however, focuses its efforts and resources on the needs of children. Through legislative efforts, public and professional education, policy development, and research, the Academy is working to ensure that our children and our society have a bright future. The Academy is a national organization that recognizes and supports pediatric subspecialties. The needs of children and their caretakers often get lost in larger, adult-based societies. The Academy is often a vehicle for validating expertise in these particular fields.