Dear PES Members,
As a dual US and Canadian citizen, I admit that I find these times particularly sad and sincerely hope that in time we all find our way through the various wickets that are being put in front of us.
It is important to note that PES is not a political organization; we are a professional society. However, our stated Mission is to promote and advance the endocrine well-being of children, adolescents and young adults and to support the professionals who work on their behalf. Thus, political views aside, we must recognize that our members as well as our patients/families/caregivers may be impacted by initiatives that impede acquisition and deployment of new knowledge and innovative therapies, curtail international health projects, threaten efforts to address health disparities, pull back efforts to address deleterious environmental exposures that disproportionately affect low income and marginalized groups, narrowly (and inaccurately) define sex without consideration of gender, and remove information/guidance from websites. Concern about impact is especially salient when we consider the etiologies, modifiers, and challenges that are present in so much of the work we do as we help those struggling with and trying to adapt to overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, variations in sex characteristics, gender dysphoria, type 1 diabetes, early pubertal development, and conditions that are resistant to current treatments such as some thyroid cancers, neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors and adrenal disorders.
The listing of concerns and conditions could go on, and some of these issues may resonate with you while others may not. The good news for those of you with concerns is that PES has a strategic plan and advocacy structure in place to address and respond to many of these challenges. Thus, I repeat my previous plea for you to engage with us and help to make these plans become realities. You can join a committee or SIG or volunteer to help leaders of advocacy initiatives. And you can join us at our upcoming Annual Meeting for networking, collaboration, learning, and (of course) fun!
Please see below for news and other PES-related activities/opportunities. As always, read all the way to the end; there are many things happening.
Kind Regards,
Mark Palmert, MD
PES advocacy in Action
On Wednesday, March 12th, PES joined the Endocrine Society for their Researcher Hill Day. The ES tells us that together PES and ES brought in researchers from across the country to meet with over 35 congressional offices to share messages about averting a government shutdown, freezing the freeze and protecting NIH from further cuts, and continuing the Special Diabetes Program. Participants also shared concerns that while study sections are resuming, NIH has not scheduled any Council meetings. Several of the offices visited placed calls to NIH inquiring about Council meetings and ES reports that as of Friday the 14th, they understand NIH is planning to begin to schedule these meeting starting in May. Congressional offices also asked for PES and ES members to continue to share examples with them of the impact of cuts on research. We thank the ES for organizing this Hill Day and Selma Witchel and Ilene Fennoy for organizing PES participation. We also note that members can continue to join the ES campaign to share your story/views around cuts to federal funding.
Thanks to our PES members that attended on our behalf:
Ambika Ashraf,
Andrew Dauber
Ilene Fennoy
Madhu Misra
Leena Nahata
Stu Weinzimer
Reminder: Acute adrenal insufficiency can be fatal!
TikTok Star Taylor Rousseau Grigg died in October 2024 from complications of Addison’s Disease. The National Adrenal Disease Foundation shared that three young adults died in February of this year from insufficient treatment of impending adrenal crises. It’s important to remember that impending adrenal crisis may resemble other illnesses such as the flu or a mild gastrointestinal illness.
As pediatric endocrinologists, our role includes the diagnosis of adrenal and continued education regarding the signs and symptoms of impending adrenal crisis and appropriate stress dose management. Education and re-education are essential with both patients and families. The recent deaths all occurred in young adults, and we need to work to prepare youth for transition to adult care. Adrenal crisis is preventable, and we can make a difference.
For more information: NADF (National Adrenal Diseases Foundation – Home), CARES Foundation
CAH – CARES Home Page CARES Foundation Home – CARES Foundation
And a related announcement, April 7, 2025 -“International Adrenal Disease Awareness Day”
The International Adrenal Consortium (IAC) is a global network of patient and organizations representing individuals affected by adrenal diseases across Europe, North and South America, and Australia. Their mission is to support the adrenal disease community by improving awareness and education for patients, caregivers, and the medical community.
Recently, the consortium voted to establish April 7, 2025, as International Adrenal Disease Awareness Day. Their goal is to enhance understanding among the general public, medical professionals, and the research community about the unique needs of individuals affected by adrenal disorders. You can find more information about IAC here.
Message from the D&T: Drug alert
In February 2025, the FDA issued a safety communication regarding all diabetes technology (i.e., continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, automated insulin dosing systems) using a smartphone application (app) to deliver critical alerts. Software updates and settings, including “focus mode,” “do not disturb,” and operating system updates may prevent alerts from being issued from the app. In addition, connecting to new audio devices (e.g., car, Bluetooth speakers, wireless earphones) may change the default volume settings for the alerts. Please see the link below for details and recommendations:
Call for Regional information: Are you part of a Regional Pediatric Endocrine Society?
We at the PES Membership Committee in the process of collecting the most up to date information on our regional organizations of society Members. We are aware of many wonderful regional groups with active meetings ongoing on a regular basis. Once we are able to get a good database of these, we will able to better assist you to advertise for your events; able to better facilitate grants or funding as available for regional meetings to mention a few. Please provide the information by filling out this quick form. Thanks for your support.
And the Survey Says: please see open survey below-We need your help! Survey – Challenges of Pediatric Endocrinologists Who Are IMGs Working in Visa Positions
This survey aims to better understand the experiences, challenges, and career trajectories of international medical graduates (IMGs) in pediatric endocrinology who are currently working or have worked in the U.S. on J-1 waivers or other non-immigrant visas (e.g., EB-2 National Interest Waiver for physicians), particularly those serving in underserved areas. Your input will help inform workforce planning and guide strategies to improve recruitment and retention in pediatric endocrinology. Click here to access the survey: https://redcap.connecticutchildrens.org/surveys/?s=TR4T8YAEEKLMPNRL
If you have any questions about this research, please contact the researcher at: 860-837-6700.
You can also call the institutional Review Board at 860-545-9980.
The IRB at Connecticut Children’s has reviewed this research and determined that it is exempt from the federal human research regulations. Contact information for Principal Investigator:
Ana Menendez
Email: amenendez@connecticutchildrens.org
Phone number: 860-837-6700
Industry Sponsored Symposium: Recognizing and Addressing Hyperphagia Early in Prader-Willi Syndrome – Strategies and Insights for Pediatric Endocrinologists and Their Care Team
Saturday, April 26, 2025
12 pm to 1:30 pm EST
Join us for this live symposium on Prader Willi syndrome (PWS) where our expert faculty will explore the huge burden that hyperphagia represents for patients with PWS, their families, and their caregivers. They will delve into the pathophysiology and complications of hyperphagia and look to the future in a discussion around the current and emerging treatment options for hyperphagia in PWS. By incorporating patient case examples and the latest data, the faculty will exchange ideas around best practices to ensure improved quality of life for patients with PWS and those around them. There will be the opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the experts during this symposium.
Speaker(s):
Parisa Salehi, MD
Associate Professor
Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Clinical Director, Prader-Willi Syndrome Clinic
Seattle Children’s
Seattle, Washington
Deepan Singh, MD
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist
Vice-Chair of Ambulatory Psychiatry Services
Maimonides Medical Centre
Brooklyn, New York
Moderator:
Shawn McCandless, MD
Chair, Department of Genetics and Metabolism
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Professor and Section Head, Genetics and Metabolism
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants will:
- Identify the burden of hyperphagia associated with PWS on patients
- Discuss the pathophysiology of hyperphagia and its associated complications in people with PWS
- Recognize current guideline-based treatment strategies for hyperphagia and PWS
- Analyze new and emerging treatments for hyperphagia and PWS
CME credits will be offered
Supported by an independent educational grant from Soleno Therapeutics Inc.
Online Education:
State of the Art: Lipid SIG Webinar – Sitosterolemia
Thursday, April 3, 2024
The SIG will identify a speaker with special expertise in pediatric lipid disorder. The speaker will discuss rare cholesterol disorders seen in pediatric patients and share diagnostic as well as management challenges associated with such disorders.
Learning Objectives:
- To identify the clinical challenges in diagnosis of rare lipid disorders
2. To discuss practical approach in management of rare lipid disorders
3. To discuss challenges in management of rare lipid disorders
Speaker:
Amy Peterson, MD, MS
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
PedsEndo365: Evaluation and Management of DSD
Friday, April 11, 2025, 3-5p ET
This session brings together the Peds Endo Education Committee and DSD SIG to review the evaluation and management of a patient with a DSD and highlight the importance of thoughtful communication as well as the strengths of an interdisciplinary team in the care of individuals with a DSD. We will address the learning objectives through interactions with content experts from the DSD SIG through 3 focused and interesting case presentations.
Learning Objectives:
- Introduce the role of an interdisciplinary team for patients with a difference of sex development.
2. Describe features of the history, physical examination, and laboratory assessment to identify the cause of difference of sex development.
3. Understand the importance of thoughtful communication for patients with DSD
Speakers & Moderators:
- Jennifer Barker
- Courtney Finlayson
- Kathleen Timme
- Sue Stred
- Nidhi Bansal
- Kanthi Bangalore Krishna
State of the Art: APP SIG- APP Fellowship training model: experience from our center
Friday, April 25, 2025
This session explores how structured APP Fellowship programs address practice gaps, enhance access to care, and secure hospital support. Key stakeholders, curriculum components, and effective assessment strategies will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the benefits of structured APP Fellowship training based on gaps in practice and access to care that have resulted from historical training/onboarding experiences
- Identify key stakeholders, specifically Endocrine Division Chiefs and Physicians.
- Discuss the need for initial and ongoing support from hospital administration.
- Justify the financial aspects of the program.
- Review the various components of our curriculum.
- Examine the assessment and feedback strategies used in an APP post-graduate fellowship program.
Speaker:
- Kanthi Bangalore Krishna, MD;
- Erica Cordell, CRNP;
- Amanda Flint, MD;
- Whitney Lerch, PA-C;
- Radhika Muzumdar, MD;
- Diana Mysliwiec, PA-C;
- Kathryn Williams, CRNP
SIG: State of the Art: Obesity SIG- Body composition and energy expenditure changes with newer anti-obesity therapies
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
To review the pathophysiology of obesity including body composition, energy expenditure, and discuss the newer anti-obesity therapies.
Learning Objectives
- Understand obesity and obesity phenotypes
- Discuss current data on body composition and energy expenditure with use of newer anti-obesity therapies
- Highlight research gaps and future directions
Speaker Name
Andrea Haqq, MD
University of Alberta
GROWTH DISORDERS 2025: CURRENT CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Health Systems Disparity Spotlight: The Importance of Heart Health in Children and Adolescents
Submitted by Ilene Fennoy and Ambika Ashraf
Read more: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative – Pediatric Endocrine Society
Submitted by Alan Rogol