Dear Dr. [[contact.last_name]],
Over the past two months, and truly, throughout this year, our community has faced significant challenges. The changing pediatric research landscape, funding uncertainties, and broader pressure within academic medicine have tested our resilience. Yet through it all, I am continually inspired by the commitment, creativity, and compassion that define SPR and its members.
As a member of our career development leadership team at Vanderbilt known as Edge For Scholars, I had the opportunity this fall to support one of our faculty development workshops. I left that workshop invigorated to help SPR pursue our mission to promote child health through a flourishing community of diverse researchers at the forefront of scientific discovery. So many of you are contributing to this mission in a variety of ways for which we are grateful,
including the recent nomination and evaluation of our newly elected members (congratulations!), review of our award nominees, planning for PAS 2026, ongoing tireless advocacy, national and international partnership work, and many more activities.
More recently, I had the pleasure of commencing the 6th APS SPR Journeys Program by moderating the Opening Plenary with Catherine M. Gordon, MD, MS. I hope that you had the opportunity to watch Robin Steinhorn, MD’s beautiful talk about her journey as a physician, scientist, and leader. Dr. Steinhorn is Professor and Vice Dean for Children’s Services at UC San Diego School of Medicine as well as the President of Children’s Specialists of San Diego, and Senior Vice President for Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. She exemplifies the SPR vision of
promoting child health by helping organizations to cultivate a flourishing community of diverse researchers at the forefront of scientific discovery. Dr. Steinhorn is a model for all of us to emulate, through her leadership, perseverance, and adaptation to the winding paths that shape a career in pediatrics medicine and research.
As we look ahead, there are many more reasons to celebrate our community. - Recognizing Excellence: Congratulations once again to Wendy Chung, MD, PhD, whose exemplary leadership and innovation were honored with the 2026 Mary Ellen Avery Neonatal Research Award. She will be formally recognized at PAS 2026.
Maria Barbian, MD, and Stephanie Gilley, MD, PhD, were selected as the 2025 Bridging to Success Award recipients. This is the first time two recipients have been chosen as a part of the expansion of the Bridging to Success Award, providing meaningful, timely assistance to promising pediatric investigators.
Special congratulations to Gabrielle Freire, MDCM, MHSc,
FRCPC, who was selected as the 2026 Dr. Francis S. Collins Scholar Awardee. This new award recognizes a junior investigator in APS SPR Journeys Program who shows promise and potential for future success in academic pediatric research. - Strengthening Global Collaboration: We’re just a few months away from the inaugural Paediatric Research for the Future of Children (PRFC): A Global Forum event in Geneva, Switzerland. There will be more than 45 speakers and 125 poster
presentations from pediatric scientists from around the world, including notable leaders Diana Bianchi, MD; Sallie Permar, MD, PhD; Wendy Chung, MD, PhD; Urs Frey, MD; Lisa Askie, PhD, MPH; John Constantino, MD; and Anna Lartey, PhD. I look forward to seeing many of you there for what promises to be a unique, science-forward forum.
Due to the intimate nature of the meeting (we’re capped at only 300 seats!), early registration is encouraged by December 1. Discounted hotel rates are
available for attendees on the PRFC website.
In the spirit of global dialogue, SPR Emerging to Established (E2E) Chair, Kelly Orgel, MD, PhD, recently presented at the ESPR joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS) conference, further strengthening our international partnerships. - Advancing the Pediatric Workforce: In collaboration with APS, we are planning a joint Presidential Plenary at PAS 2026, focusing on workforce development. Please save the date for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 11 am ET.
Despite the challenges of this past year, we have continued to move forward. Thank you for all you do to advance this mission every day. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.
All my best,
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