Why the World Needs the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine

Kids’ pain isn’t just a momentary struggle. When pain is treated poorly, it leaves a lasting impression—on their health, mental well-being, and trust in doctors. It also strains the entire healthcare system, leading to more emergency visits, longer hospital stays, and escalating costs—basically, a whole lot of awfulness that could have been prevented. And for far too long, pediatric pain hasn’t gotten the attention, research, or resources it deserves. That’s exactly why the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine (SPPM) came to be.

We caught up with Dr. Rita Agarwal, a  powerhouse in the pediatric pain world and one of SPPM’s founding members, to talk about how the organization came to life, why it matters, and how providers and families can help shape its future.

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How It Started: Filling a Gap That Was Too Big to Ignore

For years, pediatric pain specialists—mostly anesthesiologists at the time—saw the same problem: children’s pain care wasn’t keeping up. While adult treatments were evolving quickly, pediatric programs lagged behind. Many were stretched thin, under-resourced, or simply didn’t exist. Clinicians were doing their best to treat complex pain with little support and few tools.

So, a group of providers—including Drs. Sabine Kost-Byerly and Anjana Kundu—got permission from the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) to host a free half-day conference before their annual meeting. The goals? Educate, gauge interest, and figure out if there was real momentum for a separate organization focused solely on pain. Spoiler: there was.

What started as a simple gathering of like-minded professionals quickly turned into something much bigger: the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine—a thriving, multidisciplinary organization with global reach.

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A Home for Everyone Who Cares About Kids in Pain

From day one, the goal was clear: this wasn’t just for anesthesiologists. The SPPM would be a place for anyone with a stake in kids’ pain.

We wanted everyone who cares for or works with children in pain to feel like they had a place here,” Rita explains. “Because when we all bring our expertise to the table, that’s when real progress happens.

Why Get Involved?

Whether you’re a provider, a researcher, or a parent looking for better answers, SPPM is building something for you.

For providers: It’s a hub for learning, sharing research, and staying up to date with the latest science and clinical practice.

For families: It’s a trustworthy source of information and a community of experts working to make care better—because your voice matters, too.

We’re the only organization solely dedicated to pediatric pain management,” Rita says. “We’re not splitting our focus—this is all we do.

Here’s just a taste of what’s happening inside the Society:

Every two years, SPPM hosts a virtual international summit featuring some of the brightest minds and biggest voices in pediatric pain. It’s where global leaders come to share, question, and push the field forward.

And perhaps most exciting: there are tons of ways to get involved, submit content, propose sessions, or join collaborative working groups.

At the end of the day, whether you’re a researcher, clinician, or caregiver, it’s our shared commitment that will move the needle. When we work together, we can make the biggest difference.

The Long-Term Vision

Rita’s vision for the future is bold, inclusive, and exactly what pediatric pain care needs.

I want SPPM to be the go-to organization for everyone working in pediatric pain—across every discipline

That means:

• Building a repository of current clinical guidelines and policies
• Launching and supporting multi-center research collaborations
• Advocating for policy reform and improved insurance reimbursement for pediatric pain treatments
• Shifting the research model away from adult-first assumptions and toward evidence designed for kids

Too often, kids’ pain treatments are borrowed from adult models—with little evidence they actually work for children. SPPM is here to change that.The Society is also forging meaningful partnerships with patient organizations like the Meg Foundation and U.S. Pain Foundation—because when advocates and clinicians work together, the impact is that much stronger.

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Why It Matters (Now More Than Ever)

In a medical landscape that still underestimates kids’ pain, the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine is pushing for real, lasting change. It’s not just about managing pain—it’s about rethinking how we understand, treat, and talk about it.

We know better care is possible,” Rita says. “But it takes all of us—families, providers, researchers, and advocates—working together to make it happen.

If you’ve ever felt like the system isn’t built with kids in mind… you’re right. But that’s exactly what SPPM is here to change.

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