Region II had its third combined meeting with Region III at New York University Medical Center on March 7, 2008. For those who remembered last year’s meeting, we were fortunate to have beautiful weather and this probably contributed to the robust attendance. The morning program began with an informative and inspirational keynote address on leadership by Dr. Benard Dreyer, interim Chair of Pediatrics at NYU. This was followed by a workshop entitled “Leadership Begins and Ends with You” presented by Kenneth Slaw, PhD, an educational psychologist who is currently the Director, Department of Membership/Director, Strategic Planning for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Before the lunchtime business meeting, eight original research posters were viewed by all in attendance. During lunch Dr. Bob Karp, Professor of Pediatrics at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, announced the launching of a Teacher’s Guide to Pediatric Nutrition available at: http://www.hscbklyn.edu/peds/Karp/main.html. Dr. Peter Szilagyi, President of the APA, spoke of recent changes in the APA, including the name change to the Academic Pediatric Association, and of future directions. The new regional co-chairs for Region 2, Suzy Tomopolous and Cindy Osman, were introduced and made a request for volunteers to assume charge of the Young Investigator Grant program. All interested parties should apply by contacting them directly @ tomops01@med.nyu.edu.

The afternoon program consisted of original research presentations by 8 trainees: Doreen Balmer and J. Nadine Gracia from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Andres Camacho-Gonzalez from Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA, Cori Green, Allison Gorman and Efniki Kyvelos from New York University Medical Center, NY, NY, Amy Rothkopf from A.I.duPont Hospital and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and Nadine Symons from Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ. The best trainee award is still being decided.

Finally, Judy and I would like to thank all Region 2 members for their enthusiasm and support for the past 3 years. It was a pleasure serving you. Please don’t hesitate to reach either of us if you have questions or a concern…delagoc@einstein.edu, Jturow@nemours.org