The Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine (SPPM) has awarded Dr. Gina Russell, Duke Anesthesiology resident, the inaugural Young Investigator Research Award for her project titled, “The Use of Regional Anesthesia versus Local Infiltration for Pain Management Following Single-Ventricle Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.”
Russell’s study will investigate the role of regional anesthesia in an entirely novel pediatric cardiac surgery population. Her project will allow her the opportunity to gain additional experience to contribute meaningfully to pediatric anesthesiology/pain medicine research as an early investigator.
“I'm honored to receive this award, which will facilitate our investigation into regional anesthesia for sternotomy pain in a vulnerable and understudied population,” says Russell, CA-3 resident. “I hope our work will further the treatment and prevention of pediatric pain while building my skills as an investigator with Dr. Einhorn's mentorship.”
“This is an incredible accomplishment,” says Dr. Lisa Einhorn, Russell’s project mentor. “This inaugural mentored research award was eligible to applicants through their first seven years after fellowship, and Gina was selected as its sole winner as a resident. I am very proud that we can represent the department, and I look forward to serving as her mentor on this award.”
The SPPM will formally recognize Russell by announcing her award at its 12th Annual Meeting in Orlando on March 27th. She will also receive $2,000 in funding for her research project. Russell will present the results of her work at the society’s 13th Annual Meeting in Denver early next year.