Cite as: Kim J, Shilling A. Launch control, we have liftoff! expanding the horizons of regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine. ASRA Pain Medicine News 2026;51. https://doi.org/10.52211/asra110126.004.

On behalf of the 2027 Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting Program Planning Committee, we are delighted to invite you to Houston, Texas – AKA Space City, May 13–15, 2027, for an extraordinary journey into the future of regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine.

Houston is a fitting destination for a meeting devoted to exploration and discovery. For decades, the city has been synonymous with human spaceflight, innovation, scientific achievement, and the spirit of exploration. It is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, where astronauts are trained, missions are planned, complex problems are solved, and teams work together to push the boundaries of what is possible.

The field of regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine has undergone remarkable transformation. Techniques that were once considered novel are now integral to contemporary clinical practice. Ultrasound has fundamentally changed how we visualize anatomy and perform regional anesthesia. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) continues to expand our diagnostic and procedural capabilities. New pharmacologic strategies, new technologies, evolving approaches to acute pain management, and increasingly sophisticated models of perioperative care are opening new possibilities for our patients.

Yet, as with space exploration, reaching the next frontier involves more than technology. It requires curiosity, preparation, collaboration, and a willingness to question what we think we know. That is the spirit behind our 2027 meeting theme:

“Launch Control, We Have Liftoff! Expanding the Horizons of RAAPM.”

Exploring New Frontiers

The theme reflects both the history of our specialty and future trajectories. We are no longer simply asking how to perform a block. We are asking how regional anesthesia can expand its impact across the entire continuum of patient care. What role can regional anesthesia play in modern perioperative medicine? How can innovative programs move from promising concepts to sustainable clinical practice? How do we integrate new technologies without losing sight of the fundamentals of patient-centered care? How do we prepare the next generation of anesthesiologists to navigate a rapidly changing field? These questions form the foundation of our meeting.

We will begin our journey with an interactive opening panel, “From Black Holes and Breakthroughs to Infinity and Beyond,” bringing together nationally and internationally recognized experts to discuss the issues shaping our specialty. The session is designed not simply to deliver answers, but to encourage discussion and challenge assumptions. Breakthroughs emerge when thought leaders with different perspectives come together, ask difficult questions, examine evidence, and engage in conversation.

“Launch Control, We Have Liftoff! Expanding the Horizons of RAAPM.” The countdown has begun. We look forward to welcoming you to Houston, May 13–15, 2027, as we expand the horizons of regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine.

Our program will explore the vast potential of our specialty with “Galaxies of Possibility: The Expansive Role of Regional Anesthesia in Modern Medicine.” This session will examine how regional anesthesia techniques extend beyond traditional boundaries and contribute to broader changes in perioperative and acute pain medicine.

We will also examine what it takes to move an idea “From Launch Pad to Liftoff.” Innovation is exciting, but transforming a pioneering concept into a successful program requires planning, leadership, resources, education, persistence, and the ability to adapt when challenges arise. This session will provide practical insights for those seeking to turn ideas into meaningful improvements in clinical practice.

Because every mission encounters unexpected obstacles, we will tackle some of the most challenging clinical situations in “Mission (Im)possible?” These cases will challenge participants to think critically, consider alternatives, and apply knowledge to difficult real-life scenarios.

Medicine is ultimately about people. Behind every procedure, protocol, technology, and clinical decision is a patient. We will examine the critical patient perspective to better understand their care. Our meeting will examine regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine from multiple perspectives, including those of the patient, surgeon, and anesthesiologist so that we can build better systems and deliver more coordinated care. We will discuss the delicate balance of technical expertise, patient safety, communication, procedural efficiency and individualized care.

The meeting will also include live demonstrations of high-yield blocks, providing participants with opportunities to observe various techniques and refine their practical knowledge. The expanding universe of POCUS will also receive significant attention. We will demonstrate how POCUS can be used practically in the peri-operative setting and apply it to clinical scenarios.

No mission would be complete without a little turbulence. Our lively pro-con debate series, “May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor!” will challenge conventional thinking and invite participants to examine controversial issues from multiple sides. These debates are designed to be engaging, provocative, and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that progress often begins with a good question, like “What factors are considered when choosing between intrathecal opioids vs intravenous methadone?” or “What is the role of artificial intelligence, along with its risks and benefits, in our new era?”

One of the defining parts of ASRA Pain Medicine meetings is the interactive workshops that bring together teachers and learners to engage in hands-on scanning. The 19 workshops include new innovations to better engage learners. Additionally, the 20 Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLD) allow small, interactive groups to gather and brainstorm on topics like ambulatory joint arthroplasty, transitional pain services, and mastering the art of academic publishing. Shark Tank returns this meeting, promising lively interactions.

Mission Control Is a Community

What makes this meeting distinctive is not simply the breadth of science, but the opportunity to experience the science together. We have assembled a diverse faculty of experts, innovators, educators, and researchers, who represent the many dimensions of regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine. Their perspectives will be complemented by research discussions, intimate PBLDs, and a broad selection of curated, hands-on ultrasound workshops. These experiences offer something that cannot be replicated without relationship-building and in-person interaction.

Our specialty continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace. New evidence emerges. Technologies advance. Clinical practices change. Questions that seemed unanswerable yesterday may become the focus of research tomorrow. ASRA Pain Medicine provides a community where clinicians, researchers, educators, trainees, and leaders can connect around a common mission: Advancing the science and practice of pain medicine and improving the care of our patients. This is an opportunity to step away from the demands of daily clinical work and think about where our specialty is headed and where we want to help take it. That community is, perhaps, the most valuable part of any ASRA Pain Medicine meeting.

The Countdown Begins

The 2027 Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting invites you to imagine that future and explore it together. Join us in Houston as we examine new frontiers, challenge established assumptions, learn from one another, and consider how regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine can continue to expand their influence on modern medicine. Houston has helped humanity look beyond the horizon and reach for the stars. Now, it is our turn to look beyond the boundaries of our field.

Come ready to learn.
Come ready to ask questions.
Come ready to debate.
Come ready to collaborate.
Most importantly, come ready to explore.

The countdown has begun. We look forward to welcoming you to Houston, May 13–15, 2027, as we expand the horizons of regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine.

The future is vast. The possibilities are limitless. We’ll see you among the stars!