Cite as: Le-Wendlin L, Porter S. Discover what’s ahead at the 51^st Annual Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Meeting. ASRA Pain Medicine News 2025;50. https://doi.org/10.52211/asra110125.003.

Join us in Phoenix, Arizona, from April 16-18, 2026, for the 51st Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting, where innovation meets clinical excellence. This year’s program is packed with targeted education, hands-on learning, and dynamic networking opportunities designed for every level of practice.

Focused Learning Tracks: Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned practitioner, choose from tailored tracks in acute pain, chronic pain, regional anesthesia, and practice management.

Networking and Mentorship: Connect with peers and mentors during dedicated networking receptions, trainee meetups, and the Women in Medicine luncheon. Build relationships that last beyond the meeting.

Meeting Venue: Located in the heart of the city, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown offers a modern, elevated experience with beautifully designed guest rooms, a rooftop pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center. With over 110,000 square feet of flexible event space, it’s the perfect setting for learning, collaboration, and relaxation.

Explore Downtown Phoenix: When the sessions wrap up, the city comes alive. Within walking distance of the Sheraton, you’ll find:

• Roosevelt Row Arts District – A vibrant hub of street art, galleries, and indie shops
• Phoenix Art Museum – Home to global collections and rotating exhibitions
• Heard Museum – A must-visit for Native American art and history
• Chase Field – Catch an Arizona Diamondbacks game or tour the stadium
• Arizona Financial Theatre & Symphony Hall – Enjoy live music, comedy, or ballet
• Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour – A top-rated bar with inventive drinks and gourmet bites
• Margaret T. Hance Park – A relaxing green space perfect for unwinding between sessions

Whether you're here to learn, connect, or explore, Phoenix offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable meeting experience.

Speaker Spotlight: We’re honored to welcome Patrick Tighe, MD, MS, as this year’s special guest speaker. Dr. Tighe is the Donn M. Dennis Professor of Anesthetic Innovation and Associate Dean for AI Application & Implementation at the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine. His pioneering research focuses on applying artificial intelligence, deep learning, and graph analytics to improve perioperative pain management and cognitive outcomes.

As co-director of the UF Perioperative Cognitive Anesthesia Network, Dr. Tighe leads national efforts to integrate AI into clinical care, with a special emphasis on patient safety and systems-level innovation. His keynote will explore the transformative potential of AI in anesthesiology and pain medicine—don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the field’s most forward-thinking voices.

International Faculty Highlights: This year’s meeting features a distinguished lineup of international experts:

• Axel Sauter, PhD (Norway) – Expert in perioperative pain and ultrasound-guided techniques; member of the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy’s (ESRA’s) Prospect Working Group
• Ranjith Sivakumar, MD (Hong Kong) – Specialist in thoracic paraspinal blocks and advanced ultrasound imaging
• Peter Merjavy, MD, PhD (United Kingdom) – Leader in cadaveric regional anesthesia education and ESRA training initiatives

North American Faculty Highlights: We’re proud to feature top voices from the United States and Canada:

• Vivian Ip, MBChB (Canada) – Advocate for ambulatory regional anesthesia and enhanced recovery
• Brian Ilfeld, MD (United States) – Innovator in continuous nerve blocks, peripheral nerve stimulation, and outpatient pain management
• Anikar Chhabra, MD (United States) – Sports medicine orthopedic surgeon with expertise in bridging surgical recovery and pain care
• Jennifer Hagen, MD (United States) – Orthopedic surgeon with an interest in regional anesthesia and compartment syndrome in medical education and interprofessional training

Faculty Feature: Shelley Noland, MD, is a board-certified hand surgeon at Mayo Clinic Arizona, specializing in upper extremity reconstruction and peripheral nerve surgery. Her sessions will offer insights into surgical anatomy, nerve injury treatment, and collaborative care between anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Secure your spot and explore the full agenda at asra.com/raapm!