SEA 2025 Spring Meeting Recap: Doing More with Less, Together
SEA 2025 Spring Meeting Recap: Doing More with Less, Together
April 4–6, 2025 | AT&T Hotel & Conference Center | Austin, Texas
The 2025 SEA Spring Meeting in Austin, Texas was a vibrant gathering of anesthesia educators from across the country. Centered around the timely theme “Doing More with Less in Medical Education,” this year’s meeting focused on how we, as educators, can continue to create meaningful learning experiences—even in the face of increasing demands and limited resources. From the opening remarks to the final workshops, the weekend was packed with practical strategies, engaging discussions, and a strong sense of community.
Program co-chairs Dr. Michael Hofkamp and Dr. Tina Tran curated a thoughtful and relevant agenda that addressed the real-world challenges we all face in academic medicine. Attendees explored innovative ways to maximize learner engagement, build effective leadership teams, and design curricula that are both impactful and sustainable. Conversations around educator wellness, peer coaching, and promotion pathways added further depth to the weekend, ensuring there was something valuable for everyone—regardless of experience level or institution type.
The meeting also celebrated the incredible work being done across our SEA community. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from SEA-HVO Fellowship recipients, SEAd Grant awardees, and abstract presenters who showcased creative, results-driven approaches to teaching and learning in anesthesiology. These presentations were a testament to the passion, ingenuity, and generosity that define SEA’s culture.
Several SEA members from the University of Pittsburgh made significant contributions to the meeting. Dr. Franklyn Cladis participated in the SEA Membership Luncheon & Business Meeting, helping to advance key discussions about the society’s future direction. Dr. Danielle Zheng co-led a well-received workshop on building high-performing education leadership teams using Lencioni’s Six Types—a session praised for its practical application and collaborative spirit. Dr. Huong-Tram Duran co-led a workshop focused on maximizing the value of preoperative and postoperative teaching conversations, offering attendees concrete tools for getting the most out of limited clinical time. Their involvement demonstrated a strong commitment not only to SEA but also to advancing excellence in anesthesia education more broadly.
Although the full list of keynote speakers was not formally published, the general sessions and featured presentations struck a powerful chord. A common theme throughout the meeting was the idea that great teaching doesn’t always require more time or more tools—just better use of what we already have, paired with the support of a strong professional community. Many attendees noted that they left feeling not only more equipped, but also more motivated and connected than when they arrived.
If you’ve never attended an SEA meeting—or if it’s been a few years—consider this your invitation to get involved. Whether you’re a new educator looking for mentorship or a seasoned faculty member with wisdom to share, SEA offers opportunities to connect, grow, and lead. You can submit a workshop or abstract, join a committee, apply for a grant, or simply show up and be inspired. The heart of SEA is its members, and there’s always room at the table for more voices.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to gather again at the SEA Fall Meeting, taking place on November 6, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. The theme—“From Novice to Expert: Cultivating Excellence in Anesthesia Training”—promises to continue the momentum and conversations sparked in Austin. We hope to see you there, and we encourage you to bring a colleague or trainee who might benefit from being part of the SEA community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Spring Meeting such a success. Your ideas, energy, and commitment to advancing medical education continue to drive our society forward. Let’s keep the conversation going.
