Dear Colleagues,
One of my favorite things about August is back-to-school shopping because I am a stationery geek. Each year, I still buy a new box of Crayola ® crayons. The factory-packaged crayons are all lined up perfectly in the box just waiting to be used on a blank sheet of paper. And the scent is so nostalgic! As a child, August also meant the annual visit to the pediatrician to complete the pile of multi-colored forms before the school year began. My pediatrician was always inviting and wore khakis, a dress shirt, a fun tie, and no white coat. I never minded these visits because, early on, I knew I wanted to go into pediatrics. My mom appreciated the parenting tips and wisdom from his anticipatory guidance, particularly since she did not grow up in the US.
That pediatrician's calm, unhurried guidance is exactly what I see our members offering families every day. As I learn more about how much PES members do for the endocrine-related well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults we care for, I am so proud of our members and all the anticipatory guidance and education we offer at each visit, particularly during this time of year. Think of the school forms completed to navigate insulin dosing so that our youth with type 1 diabetes can learn, eat, and participate in any activity at school; the guidance on administering stress dosing when a child with adrenal insufficiency has a fever at school; or the instructions on watching for signs like breakthrough urination. Throughout the year, we are sitting down with families to have discussions about growth velocity and the timing of pubertal development, explaining to new parents that their newborn infant will be okay with daily levothyroxine replacement or providing guidance about calcium and vitamin D goals in youth with heart conditions. And the list goes on!
I have come to appreciate that with more information and misinformation available on the internet and social media, the anticipatory guidance aimed at lowering anxiety, preventing disease, reducing emergency room visits, or preparing for milestones may seem to take longer, but our patients and families know that as pediatric endocrinologists, we serve as a trusted resource. Our PES mission is to advance and promote the health of children, adolescents, and young adults and support the professionals that work on their behalf, and our members stand by it.
Until next month, buy that box of crayons and don’t be afraid to color outside the lines!
Warmly,
Tandy Aye, MD
President, PES Board of Directors
Did you know?
PES Communities: Your Hub for Connection & Collaboration
The PES Communities platform is the central hub for Committee and SIG communication and collaboration. Members can participate in discussions, message the group or individual members, access shared files and meeting minutes—all in one convenient location.
Access is easy! Simply login to the PES website and click on “My Communities.” On your first visit, you’ll be prompted to accept the updated Terms & Conditions.
Committee and SIG portals are available to active members of each group, and a general discussion board is open to all PES members—making it easy to connect, share ideas, and engage with colleagues across the Society.
MAP Spotlight – Diazoxide Choline Extended-Release Expert Guidance Review Article
Soleno Therapeutics – A Neurocrine Biosciences® Company would like to share the availability of an expert guidance review article authored by clinicians in pediatric endocrinology and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) providing practical guidance for the use of diazoxide choline extended-release (DCCR; VYKAT® XR) tablets, the first FDA-approved treatment for hyperphagia in individuals aged ≥ 4 years with PWS. Drawing on data from the Phase 3 DESTINY-PWS clinical program, including long-term extension studies, and real-world clinical experience, the review outlines patient selection criteria, baseline assessment and comorbidity optimization strategies, structured weight-based dosing, titration strategies, and monitoring recommendations to support safe and effective use of VYKAT XR in routine practice.
The expert guidance review article includes an author-developed clinical decision pathway providing recommendations for identifying appropriate patients and key initiation considerations. The article also provides guidance on identifying and managing the clinically relevant adverse events, including hyperglycemia and fluid overload, with recommendations for monitoring patients with cardiometabolic or cardiopulmonary risk factors and underlying cardiovascular conditions, including congestive heart failure. For additional details, see the full publication (Miller et al): Diazoxide choline extended-release (DCCR) use in Prader-Willi syndrome: patient selection, dosing, and management.
VYKAT XR is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to diazoxide, other components of VYKAT XR, or thiazides. Hyperglycemia, including diabetic ketoacidosis, and edema, including severe reactions associated with fluid overload, have been reported. The most common adverse reactions are hypertrichosis, edema, hyperglycemia, and rash. Please see the full Prescribing Information at LINK for complete safety and dosing information.
Soleno Therapeutics is part of the PES Mission Alliance Partnership. This announcement was prepared in compliance with PES guidelines to ensure objective educational content.
An Invitation from the IAF: IAF Conference – Shaping the Future of Care in Achondroplasia and Related Conditions
Conference Title: Shaping the Future of Care in Achondroplasia and Related Conditions
Dates:
- 10 September 2026 – Delegate arrivals and welcome dinner
- 11 September 2026 – One-day conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Marseille
- Conference close and delegate departures from 18:00 CEST on 11 September 2026
About the Conference: The conference will bring together leading healthcare professionals, researchers, and patient advocates from across the achondroplasia and rare disease communities to discuss the latest developments in research, multidisciplinary care, clinical practice, and patient outcomes. We believe the programme will be of particular interest to members of PES and the wider paediatric endocrinology community.
Registration: Registration is managed through the International Achondroplasia Forum (IAF)
Direct registration link: https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/c5da2874-50f4-491b-bbdb-a34711a135d5/summary
Online Education
PES takes pride in providing diverse online educational opportunities for our members. Our offerings include the PES SIG State of the Art Series webinars, the Quarterly Education Committee-sponsored webinar series, and the Industry Sponsored Symposia Series, all available year-round. These educational resources are among the exclusive benefits of PES membership.
Check out our education calendar for more details and links to register/access: Events for September 2026 – Pediatric Endocrine Society
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SAVE THE DATE
- September 11 I 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern
Shaping the Future of Care in Achondroplasia and Related Conditions
Website: https://www.achondroplasiaforum.com/congress
Being an Ally that ACTS
Join the PES Health Systems & Disparities Committee for an interactive training on recognizing and responding to bias and microaggressions using the IQEE framework: Interrupt, Question, Educate, and Echo.
Open to all PES members. No prior experience is required.
Session 1: Didactic Training
September 28 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern (Recording available)
Session 2: Case Practicum
October 13 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM Eastern (Live attendance required)
PES is also seeking approximately 10 volunteer facilitators. Facilitator training will be held September 23 from 9:30–11:30 AM Eastern
Time Commitment: Four hours for participants; six hours for facilitators.
CME Credit: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for the live or recorded September 28 session. CME credit for the October 13 session will be available following completion of the live Case Practicum. Participants who complete the program are eligible for 4.0 CME credits; partial credit is not available.
Industry Sponsored Symposium: Empowering Pediatric Clinicians and Families for Partnership in Living with CAH
SAVE THE DATE
- October 7, 2026 I 12:00 PM ET
Join Selma Witchel, MD, for a program that equips attendees with practical strategies for managing pediatric patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This session will include information on age- and Tanner-stage-specific treatment goals, hormone monitoring, and glucocorticoid (GC) management considerations, highlighting how clinical priorities evolve across growth and pubertal development.
Attendees will explore structured approaches to patient visits that integrate symptom assessment, growth monitoring, and pubertal evaluation while balancing the risks of supraphysiologic GC exposure. The program will also examine how adjunctive androgen management may be incorporated into existing treatment regimens and will identify opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration—including psychology, gynecology/urology, nutrition, and emergency care teams—to help optimize outcomes for children and their families.
Speaker: Selma Witchel, MD, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Registration Link: https://thehwpgroup.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y6Cum8YARBu5i0u8oSpE8A
Sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences
Rising Star Grant Applications Open
Now Accepting 2026 PES Rising Star Grant and The Raphael David, MD Rising Star Grant Applications!
Application Deadline: September 15 @ 5:00 PM Eastern
Funding Start Date: November 1
The purpose of these small grants is to support and encourage research efforts of pediatric endocrinology fellows.
PES funds 5 Rising Star Grants (RSGs) per year. One of these awards is a named RSG (The Raphael David, MD Rising Star Grant) that will be given preferentially to an application related to the developmental biology of the testes or adrenal gland. The RSG program is in addition to the already established and larger Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) program.
Click below for more information and to apply:
PES Rising Star Grant - Pediatric Endocrine Society
The Raphael David, MD Rising Star Grant - Pediatric Endocrine Society
Now Accepting Nominations for Laureate Awards & Lectures
Application Deadline: October 9 @ 5:00 PM Eastern
Laureate Awards:
- Judson J. Van Wyk Prize
- New Investigator Award
- Clinician Award
- Educator Award
- Established Investigator Award
- Outstanding PES Mentor Award
Lectures:
- The Robert M. Blizzard, MD Lectureship (offered odd years)
- Paul Kaplowitz, MD Endowed Lectureship
Please note that all nominations must be submitted through the online application available on each award and lecture page. Before beginning the application, please review the required nomination materials to ensure you have all necessary information and documents.
For more information and nomination applications: Awards, Grants & Lectureships - Pediatric Endocrine Society
Fellow Spotlight: Catherine Corey, MD
Meet Catherine: August Fellow Spotlight – Catherine Corey, MD - Pediatric Endocrine Society
Health Systems Disparity Spotlight: National Voter Registration Day and the Future of Pediatric Endocrinology
Submitted by Santhi Logel, MD, University of Virginia
Learn more: Health Systems Disparity Initiative - Pediatric Endocrine Society
Historical Tidbit: Then and Now: This Month in Endocrine History
Submitted by Evan Graber, DO
Read more: Historical Tidbit – Then and Now: This Month in Endocrine History - Pediatric Endocrine Society