APA Regions VII and VIII joined together at the Southern Regional Meeting in New Orleans, LA on February 21 – 23, 2008. The number of abstracts submitted and attendees was the highest we have had in more than 10 years! The APA led the platform presentations in Adolescent Medicine/ Pediatrics and Medical Education/Medical Ethics. The APA sponsored an excellent workshop on “Making Learning Fun for All: Working with Your Learner’s Differences,” presented by Marney Gundlach and Rosina Connelly.

We also had some time for networking and fun. Following the opening poster session, we held our 2nd annual dinner at the Palace Café and the final morning of the conference we enjoyed combining breakfast with our business meeting. We were privileged to have Peter Szilagyi, President of the APA, attend this breakfast and speak to the group about the organization’s strategic plan. We also presented travel awards to nine recipients who were chosen for excellence in research. Each year, Regions VII and VIII collaborate to present trainee travel awards, consisting of a one-year trainee membership to the APA and money.

Honolulu provided a wonderful setting for this year’s Pediatric Academic Societies meeting. On Monday, May 5, 2008 we held our regional breakfast with thirty members present and a lively discussion. We had reports from the AAP committees and we discussed several ways to recruit new members as this continues to be one of our priorities. Arthur Fierman, the outgoing APA treasurer, attended the meeting and was complementary of the excitement in the room. The new Region Co-Chair, Marny Dunlap from the University of Oklahoma was introduced and Bryan Burke, the outgoing Co-Chair from the University of Arkansas was thanked for all his hard work. At the Region Chairs’ Luncheon it was decided that the immediate past Co-Chair would take on a new role as Membership Co-Chair. Congratulations Bryan!

Next year’s regional meeting as part of the the Southern Regional Meeting in New Orleans, LA will take place February 12-14, 2009. Workshop submissions should be sent to Charlie Kantrow ckantrow@ochsner.org by August 15, 2008. The deadline for abstract submissions is October 16, 2008. We hope more people will join us! This is a great opportunity for trainees and young faculty. We will also have our annual regional breakfast as part of the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting May 2-5, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Region VII Co-Chairs:
Teresa Duryea (teresad@bcm.edu)
Charles Kantrow (ckantrow@ochsner.org)
Marny Dunlap (Marny-Dunlap@ouhsc.edu )

Marny Dunlap, M.D.
940 NE 13th
Oklahoma City
OK 73104
405-247-6821
E-mail: Marny-Dunlap@ouhsc.edu

Teresa K. Duryea, MD
Associate Professor
6701 Fannin. Clinical Care Center
Texas Children's Hospital
CCC 1540.00
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 832-822-3441
Email: teresad@bcm.tmc.edu

Charles T. Kantrow, MD, FAAP
1315 Jefferson Hwy
New Orleans, LA 70121
Phone: 504/842-6483
Fax: 504/842-0011
Email: ckantrow@ochsner.org