View additional information about the Annual Meeting and related activities.
APSA Professional Coaching Program
The Coaching Program is a structured professional development initiative within APSA that pairs pediatric surgery fellows or early-career pediatric surgeons with trained pediatric surgeon coaches to support personal well-being, career growth, and thriving. Using evidence-based coaching principles, the program focuses on reflection, active listening, goal setting, and the coach-coachee relationship to support growth and wellness, rather than traditional mentorship or advising. It aims to reduce burnout while strengthening community and support within pediatric surgery. The initiative began in 2020 and has since trained over 100 APSA coaches and coached over 200 individuals.
Join the APSA coaching program today!
What Participants Will Learn
| Coaching Skills for Surgeons | Professional and Personal Growth |
|---|---|
| Techniques to coach yourself, trainees, and early‑career pediatric surgeons. | Tools to promote reflective practice and continuous development. |
| Strategies for guiding peers through difficult cases, workplace concerns, and professional crossroads | Approaches that improve resilience and reduce burnout. |
| Advanced listening skills that strengthen communication and trust | Methods to support colleagues in high‑pressure environments. |
Why Become a Coach?
Pediatric surgery is demanding, and surgeons benefit from structured, supportive conversations with trained peers who understand the unique pressures of the field. Becoming a coach allows you to:
- Learn Coaching techniques to coach yourself, pediatric surgical trainees and early career pediatric surgeons.
- Promote professional and personal growth.
- Improve resilience and reduce burnout.
- Learn advanced listening skills and coaching strategies.
Join an upcoming Professional Development Coaching Workshop
2026 APSA Annual Meeting
Friday, May 8, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Michigan A/B (Level 2)
Intro to Coaching Workshop: This session will give you an intro to the APSA Coaching Program and teach you skills associated with coaching. Open to all attendees!
*Lunch will not be served, please bring your lunch to the session.
Friday, May 8, 2026
4:25 – 5:10 PM
Arkansas (Level 2)
Giving Feedback Workshop: This workshop will include a brief discussion on barriers to giving and receiving feedback, interactive exercises using practice scenarios focusing on conflict navigation and compassionate communication. Open to all attendees!
Session Leads
Eunice Huang, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center System
Nashville, TN
Holly Neville, MD
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Hollywood, FL
Monique Motta
Memorial Healthcare
Hollywood, FL
Katlyn McKay, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center System
Nashville, TN
Already Interested? Sign up Today for the 2026-2027 Coaching Program!
Have more questions?
Reach out to APSA Staff to be connected to a member of the Coaching Team
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#ProfessionalDevelopment
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