Dear Colleagues,
August traditionally is a time for reflection and the true start of the new academic year. In August, which also is a time many take vacations, we often make plans for personal renewal and try to take a few days away at least from email, texting and i- Phones. This year, unfortunately, many of our vacation plans were impacted due to COVID-19. Although we were creative and nimble in trying to catch up with friends, family and colleagues while staying safe, the rapid rise of the Delta variant has been quite unsettling. Hopefully, by the time you read this letter, booster vaccinations will be available in a few weeks for the majority of us.
The political state of our world is tenuous at best. Our civil liberties as physicians are threatened with pending legislation. We experienced the hottest July temperatures recorded in history, as well as political strife nationally and internationally and a lack of compliance to a universal code of respect of all individuals. Once again, how can we at PES do more to ensure our operating mission helps correct nonadherence to responsible personal and communal conduct and at the same time presses ahead with new initiatives for all of our members? From my perspective, increasing our personal knowledge by focused research, continued education and advocacy for our patients through creative innovation is the way to go forward.
We continue find new venues to “CONNECT” I encourage you to engage with your peers using the member engagement platform PES Connects.
As you read this, we are actively planning our 2022, 50th anniversary annual meeting which will be an opportunity for many to participate in events focusing on research, education, and advocacy. We are completing the oral history project, making significant headway on our historical timelines, and are starting to receive suggestions for speakers and symposia which we hope will result in exciting interactive sessions.
I do want to remind all that in an effort to address the next generation of pediatric endocrinologists, we have a membership category in which medical students and residents as well as research support staff without advanced degrees can join us as an Associate Member for $30.00. All that is needed is a letter from the program director or a regular member describing the individual’s interest and involvement in pediatric endocrinology. They are allowed to participate in all SIGs but not Committees.
I will report next month, after our board meeting on September 9th and 10th, on the new activities planned for the PES/NIH Liaison Committee. I will also have additional updates on all our involvement in legislation that seeks to affirm our commitment to ensure the endocrine well-being of all of our children and adolescents regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or gender. And do send in your nominations for the Laureate awards—see below.
In closing, at this time of year it is a Jewish custom to ask forgiveness from all one has both knowingly and unknowingly offended. Any time of the year, of course, we all should ask who or what have we not done enough for. As your President I ask we all continue in the last few days of August to reflect on how we as individuals and collectively as a member of PES can be a voice for the pediatric endocrine community in the coming year. As Viktor E. Frankl a legendary Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author and Holocaust survivor said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.”
With good thoughts to all,
Sharon
And please see below for our management updates.
A survey of pediatric gynecologists and pediatric endocrinologists on hormone replacement therapy after completion of pubertal induction in adolescents and young adults with Turner syndrome
This survey is being conducted by Dr. Roopa Kanakatti Shankar and Dr. Tazim Dowlut-McElroy at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
The purpose of the survey is to gather information regarding management of primary ovarian insufficiency after the completion of pubertal induction among pediatric gynecologists and pediatric endocrinologists and other providers caring for adolescents and young adults with Turner syndrome.
This study has been reviewed and approved by the Children’s National Hospital IRB; IRB Pro00015008.
By clicking on the link, you indicate your voluntary agreement to take part in this research study by completing this online survey. Click here
NEW APP spotlight: Leslie Pitts, MSN, CPNP-AC, CDCES, AP-PEN
Meet Leslie: https://pedsendo.org/member-spotlight/app-spotlight/pes-app-spotlight/
PES Ethics Module: Opportunity to Earn CME/MOC credits extended!
Ethical dilemmas are commonly encountered by pediatric endocrinologists, both during and after training. Hence, a case-based pediatric endocrinology ethics curriculum was recently developed by the Pediatric Endocrine Society Ethics Committee/SIG. The 8 modules include the following: Ethical Issues Regarding Endocrine Management in the Care of Disabled Children; Ethical Issues in Prescribing Growth Hormone; Ethical Issues Regarding Childhood Obesity; Ethical Issues Regarding the Poorly Adherent Patient With Type I Diabetes Mellitus; Ethical Issues in Children With Disorders of Sex Development; Ethical Issues in Transgender Medicine; Ethical Issues in Fertility Preservation in Klinefelter Syndrome; and Ethical Issues in Fertility Preservation in Turner Syndrome. Visit the website to get started: https://pedsendo.org/careers/certification/ethics-in-pediatric-endocrinology-moc-2/
NIH Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research Course
Interested in learning more about the ethics of clinical research? The NIH has a great offering.
This 7-week course covers essential topics in the ethics of clinical research and is designed for researchers and research teams, clinical staff, IRB members, and others interested in the ethics of clinical research. Presentations are given by experts from both within and outside the NIH.
The course runs from 22 September 2021 – 3 November 2021 and will be broadcast live. The course meets Wednesday mornings from 8:30 -11:30 am Eastern. In addition to lectures, we will host conversations with experts and engage in case discussions. Due to the uncertainty about COVID the course will be delivered virtually this year.
Information about registration and course including the syllabus are available at
https://bioethics.nih.gov/courses/ethical-regulatory-aspects.shtml
New Meds and Tech: Brief Therapeutic Update from PES Drugs and Therapeutics Committee: (THYQUIDITYTM)
THYQUIDITYTM is a liquid levothyroxine preparation that is FDA approved for (i) treatment of congenital or acquired forms of primary, secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism, and (ii) pituitary thyrotropin suppression as an adjunct therapy in thyrotropin-dependent well-differentiated thyroid cancer (1). Safety and efficacy data for THYQUIDITYTM in pediatric patients are derived from prior trials of its reference product Synthroid® (levothyroxine sodium) tablets (see below) (1,2,3). The other liquid levothyroxine preparation commercially available for treatment of hypothyroidism is Tirosint®-SOL (4). m
Click here to read more https://pedsendo.org/new-meds-and-tech/new-meds-and-tech-from-dt-committee/
PES 50th Anniversary Timeline project – Historical Fact Sneak Peek:
https://pedsendo.org/pes-50th-anniversary/
New Glucagon Legislation in New York
We are pleased to share the new legislative victory for families of children with diabetes in the state of New York. The New York State Senate Bill S1239, which expands the authorization for trained unlicensed school personnel to administer all glucagon options in instances of severe low blood sugar emergencies, has been signed into law. The updated language helps school-aged children with type 1 diabetes, their families, school personnel, and health care professionals have access to and be trained on the full range of glucagon preparations available today for a severe hypoglycemia emergency.
MAP What’s New Spotlight: Sandoz
PES community, we are happy to share that Omnitrope® is now available for patients that would like to access a cash pay option. The Omnitrope cash pay program includes multiple formulations and strengths designed to meet your patients’ needs. We offer both the Omnitrope 5mg and 10mg Pen, as well as the 5.8mg vial and syringe. Eligible* patients may either pay $20/mg for their first fill and $22/mg thereafter for the Pen 5/Pen 10, or $17 for first and subsequent fills for the vial and syringe. For more information about this program, visit us at www.omnitrope.com or call OmniSource® today at 877-456-6794.
*Prescriptions must be for an approved indication. This program is not health insurance. Patients are not eligible if this prescription is paid, in whole or in part, by any state or federally funded programs, including but not limited to Medicare (including Part D, even in the coverage gap) or Medicaid, Medigap, VA, DOD, TriCare, private indemnity, or HMO insurance plans that reimburse you for the entire cost of Omnitrope®, or where prohibited by law. Patients with a state or federally funded program that does not cover any of the cost for their Omnitrope prescription are eligible to participate. Patients may continue to participate as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Sandoz reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this offer without further notice.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released six separate program announcements for the 2022 application cycle of the NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released six separate program announcements for the 2022 application cycle of the NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP). The LRP may repay up to $50,000 of qualified student loan debt per year to outstanding health professionals who commit at least two years to conduct biomedical, behavioral, social, or clinical research, and who agree to engage in such research for an average of at least 20 hours per week based on a 40-hour work week. This includes most undergraduate, graduate, and medical school loans. Loan repayment benefits are in addition to the institutional salary received for research. LRP awards are based on an applicant’s potential to build and sustain a research career.
All applications must be submitted through the Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST), and not the LRP website. We will provide more explicit instructions on how to apply through ASSIST as it becomes available. ASSIST will begin accepting applications on September 1st, 2021 through November 18, 2021, 8pm EST.
All general questions should be directed to the LRP Information Center at (866) 849-4047 or lrp@nih.gov.
Children’s Growth Awareness Week to focus on growth disorders The MAGIC Foundation boosts awareness, advocacy Sept. 19-25, 2021
Height is nature’s early warning signal — a potential visual alarm for parents and physicians. Growth can be an overall sign of the health and physical development of a child, but when children aren’t growing properly, it may be an indication of a treatable medical condition. During Growth Awareness Week, Sept. 19-25, The MAGIC Foundation (Major Aspects of Growth in Children) is working to draw attention to the issue of children’s growth through its website, magicfoundation.org, and on its social media sites.
The dissemination of information is important as early detection and diagnoses are critical. Growth affects much more than height. Serious problems relating to heart strength, blood sugar control, lung capacity, bone density, immune system function, metabolism and much more can all be impacted by growth disorders.
For additional information and to schedule an interview with parents of children impacted by growth disorders, please contact the MAGIC Foundation at 630-836-8200 or Contactus@magicfoundation.org.
Announcing the Call for Nominations for 2022 PES Awards and Lectures!
The Board of Directors and the Awards and Honors committee are pleased to announce the 2022 call for nominations for the PES awards and lectures. Deadline for nominations: November 15, 2021
Judson J. Van Wyk Prize
The Judson J. Van Wyk Prize is the Society’s most prestigious award in recognition of outstanding career achievement by a member in the field of pediatric endocrinology. This award, stands in tribute to an outstanding leader whose career is marked by scientific excellence, leadership, and dedication to the health of children.
The Del and Beverly Fisher Pediatric Endocrinology History Lectureship
The proposed lecture should cover some aspect of relevant history, e.g., pioneers, specific diseases, therapies, practice, basic science, understanding of disease mechanisms, diagnostic methods, etc.
Young Investigator Award
This award is to be granted to a physician-scientist within the first five years of becoming board eligible in pediatric endocrinology whose innovative and cutting-edge clinical, basic or translational research is significantly advancing the field of pediatric endocrinology.
Clinician Award
This award is to be granted to a PES member in good standing and working in North America, at least 10 years in practice, who is widely acknowledged by her or his peers as possessing exemplary clinical acumen, knowledge and expertise.
Educator Award
This award is to be granted to a PES member in good standing and working in North America, at least 10 years in practice, who is renowned among colleagues and trainees alike for being an extraordinarily gifted and dedicated teacher and mentor. published reviews and chapters, mentoring activities, and institutional teaching and mentoring awards.
Senior Researcher Award
This award is to be granted to a senior investigator whose innovative and cutting-edge clinical, basic or translational research has significantly advanced the field of pediatric endocrinology and earned the nominee international recognition in the field.
Click here for nomination requirements and instructions for each award and lecture- http://apps.pedsendo.org/member-awards/
History Tidbit: Elliott Proctor Joslin (6 June 1869 to 28 January 1962) The treatment of those with T1DM, pre- and post- the Discovery of Insulin Submitted by Alan D. Rogol, MD, Ph.D.