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Thank you to Everyone for making SSPR 2024 a Resounding Success!! SSPR 2025 will be on February 13-15, 2025 New Orleans, LA ​ Stay tuned for more information, coming soon... ​ Call for abstracts will be announced July/August CLICK HERE FOR 2024 CONFERENCE PROGRAM The Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR) is proud to host our annual regional conference that focuses on sharing research discoveries, networking with colleagues, and stimulating lifelong learning. Whether it be medical students, residents, fellows, or faculty, SSPR is dedicated in supporting breakthroughs in pediatric research. DATES: February 13-15, 2025 LOCATION: New Orleans, Louisiana VENUE: Intercontinental Hotel 444 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70130-3171 Phone: 1-800-235-4670 or: 504-525-5566 TIMES: 07:00 am – 05:00 pm Hotel Information & Booking Only blocks from the French Quarter! Minutes from live music, great food and historic arts districts Waterfront is walking distance Reservation Information will be updated for the 2025 Meeting All room rates are per night and are subject to applicable taxes which are 15.20% hotel tax and a $2 per night occupancy fee. Your reservations must be received by January 30, 2024 in order to qualify for the 2024 Southern Regional Meetings conference rates. Reservations received after this date are subject to applicable rates and availability. If you are unable to keep your guaranteed reservation, please cancel prior to 72 hours of the arrival date and obtain a cancellation number to avoid being billed for one night’s accommodations.

We look forward to seeing you at SSPR 2025! The 2025 Annual Meeting will be February 13-15, 2025 New Orleans, LA The Southern Society for Pediatric Research was organized in 1960 as a forum for pediatric investigators from the southern region to present their work. The society meets annually in New Orleans, Louisiana, in conjunction with the Southern Regional Meetings. Several workshops on important research and academic skills are presented each year. Learn more about how we are fostering the next generation of pediatricians, pediatric specialists, educators and scientists to promote advances in child health and improve outcomes by highlighting and encouraging scholarly activities.

SSPR Trainee Travel Award These awards are for work intimately related to pediatric research. This prize is meant to facilitate and encourage young trainees attendance to the meeting.​ ​Selection Trainees that are candidates for any of the SSPR Young Investigator Awards will be entered into consideration for this award SSPR panel of judges will select the final winners No separate application is necessary Eligibility The candidate must be a student (undergraduate, graduate, medical student), resident, fellow, or post-doc. They must be the first author/presenter of the abstract accepted for presentation. Candidates MUST be an SSPR member or have a sponsor who is an SSPR member. Award Approximately 25 winning candidates will receive a travel stipend of $500 to facilitate attendance to the annual SSPR meeting. Scroll Down Sponsored by: The Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Southern Society for Pediatric Research Educator Award Scroll Down Sponsored by Abbott Awarded to a member of the Southern Society for Pediatric Research who is recognized as an outstanding educator in pediatric medicine. ​ Widespread recognition for the stimulation of pre- and post-doctoral students to provide excellent child health care Outstanding contributions to the development and administration of pediatric curricula or parent-child educational programs Recognized role model as pediatric educator Eligibility Nominations are solicited from the membership of the SSPR. Deadline for Nominating is September 1st. Application To nominate an individual, please email the SSPR President indicating the nominee’s area of research and accomplishments. Awards The winner of the Founders Award will be honored at the Plenary Session of the annual SSPR meeting in February. They will receive a plaque and a monetary prize. The winner will be introduced by their nominating colleague and present remarks at the Plenary Session of the SSPR. List of Previous Awardees

Gallery Scenes from the Annual SSPR Meeting in New Orleans. See what we have been up to at our last few meetings! 2024 2023 2022 2020

David Oelberg Honorary Trainee Travel Award Scroll Down Sponsored by: Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Dr. David Oelberg, SSPR Officer-Emeritus, is an outstanding member of the SSPR who served in a variety of roles during his many years of service and leadership. His legacy and contributions to the mission of the SSPR are memorialized by this award. Eligibility The candidate must be a student, resident, or fellow. They must be the first author/presenter of the abstract accepted for presentation. Candidates MUST be an SSPR member or have a sponsor who is an SSPR member. ​ Application Trainees that are candidates for the SSPR Young Investigator Awards will automatically be entered in this competition. No separate application is required. Award Two $500 Travel Stipends are awarded to the top two trainee abstracts that are not Young Investigator finalists to help facilitate travel to the annual SSPR meeting.

Award to Enhance Diversity in the Research Workforce Scroll Down Sponsored by the Society for Pediatric Research The Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) and SSPR both aim to create a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers to improve child health. ​ This award was established by the SPR Council in 2017 and provides funds for registration to the Pediatric Academic Society Meeting for talented child health researchers who come from underrepresented backgrounds. Eligibility Any scientist/academician performing pediatric research whose background is Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Underrepresented background is as defined by NIH The SSPR Leadership will nominate eligible candidates by sending a brief description of the awardee and her/his associated science. Application All submitted are reviewed for eligibility. Be sure to check background, ethnicity and demographic information in the abstract submission form. Selection SSPR panel of academic / scientist judges SSPR will submit the following information to the SPR for the award: Awardee’s Name. Awardee’s Email. Name of the award the awardee was chosen for in your society. Brief description of the awardee and his/her associated science. Photo of the awardee. Under-represented designation Award A travel stipend will be awarded to the annual Society for Pediatric Research(SPR)/Pediatric Academic Society(PAS) Conference. Awardees will be recognized during a special SPR event during their annual meeting .

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SSPR Young Faculty Award Scroll Down Sponsored by: The Southern Society for Pediatric Research Honors and supports travel of outstanding junior faculty. These awards are for work intimately related to pediatric research. Eligibili ty Th e candidate must be an Instructor or Assistant Professor and within 5 years of the completion of fellowship training. They must be first author/presenter of the abstract accepted for presentation. Applicants MUST be an SSPR member or have a sponsor who is an SSPR member Selection A panel of experienced scientists will review high impact and scoring abstracts to select winners. All faculty that are candidates for the SSPR Young Investigator Awards will be considered for the award by the judges reviewing and scoring abstracts. No separate application is necessary. Aw ard Approximately five awardees will receive a travel stipend of $500 to facilitate attendance to the Annual SSPR meeting.

Southern Society for Pediatric Research Founders Award Scroll Down Sponsored by: The Southern Society for Pediatric Research This prestigious legacy award is presented to a member of the Southern Society for Pediatric Research who has made significant contributions to both the health care of children and the activities of the SSPR. Eligibility Nominations are solicited from the membership of the SSPR. Deadline for Nominating is September 1st. Application To nominate an individual, please send an email the SSPR President indicating the nominee’s area of research and accomplishments. Awards The winner of the Founders Award will be honored at the Plenary Session of the annual SSPR meeting in February. They will receive a plaque and a monetary prize. The winner will be introduced by their nominating colleague and present remarks at the Plenary Session of the SSPR. Previous Awardees

Become an SSPR Member Today! Join a thriving community of pediatric professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for all children from birth to adolescence Our members represent some of the most dedicated academic pediatricians in the Southern Region. Membership is not exclusive to the south though, as seen on our members map here! ​ We invite anyone in the US actively engaged in pediatric research/education to apply for membership and join us at our annual meeting in February in New Orleans! Any individual in the active pursuit of improving outcomes for the any of the following is invited to apply to become a member of SSPR: fetus/pregnant mother, newborns, children and adolescents. This includes but may not be limited to: Basic, translational or clinical research Quality improvement Education and teaching Categories of Membership include: Active members hold M.D., D.O., or Ph.D. or other doctoral degrees and are actively engaged in academic pediatrics. This may be basic, clinical, or educational research as well as quality improvement. Honorary members are individuals who lack a doctoral degree but who have made significant contributions to pediatrics and improvement in child health. While you may submit your application at any time, the SSPR Council votes on new membership applications twice a year at the Winter (Feb) and Spring (May) Council Meetings. ​ To be eligible for consideration of membership, applications must be received one week prior to the relevant council meeting date. Application Deadlines: Winter Application Due Date: January 2nd, 2024 Spring Application Due Date: April 21st, 2024 All applications must be nominated by two members of SSPR with accompanying letters supporting your application. Complete the Membership Application below, and attach the requested documentation as PDF files.Nominating Sponsors may also email their letter of support directly to the SSPR Secretary at sspr.secretary@gmail.com Online Membership Application Form Personal and Contact Information First Name Last Name Professional Title Name of Hospital or Affiliation Office Email Date of Birth Office Phone Personal Phone Office Address City Postal / Zip code Office Address Line 2 Region/State/Province Country Country Education and Training Name of Medical School/Graduate School Graduate/Medical Degree Date of Graduation Medical School Postgraduate Training Institution #1 Sub-Specialty #1 Date Completion Training #1 Postgraduate Training Institution #2 Sub-Specialty #2 Date of Graduation Post-Gradute #2 List any additional training and dates here: Professional and Work History Staff Positions and Dates List Honors and Awards Here Please Upload PDF of Your Complete CV Here PDF Only (Max 5MB) All applications must be supported by two letters of nominations from current members of the SSPR. Please email the secretary of the SSPR if you require assistance in identifying a nominator. The letters can be emailed directly to the secretary or you may alternatively upload them below. Name of Referee 1 Nomination Letter #1 Upload PDF Name of Referee 2 Nomination Letter #2 Upload PDF I certify that the information I have entered above is correct to the best of my knowledge. Please acknowledge with your signature below Clear Click Here To Submit Application Thank you for submitting your application. You will receive email confirmation soon.

ABOUT US Our Mission At the Southern Society for Pediatric Research, we foster career development and leadership in academic pediatrics. We strive to improve health outcomes for all children through the support of rigorous research, quality improvement and advancing cutting edge clinical care. ​ Our primary mission is to support and grow the next generation of academic pediatricians and to propel them to national and international recognition. Annual Meeting One of the highlights of the meeting is the poster presentation session, where medical students, residents, fellows and faculty present their scholarly projects. These abstracts are selected by the SSPR committee and they include basic science and clinical researches from all pediatric subspecialties. Recognition and Awarding Excellence To align with our mission and to encourage meeting attendance by learners, trainees and junior faculty, we have established various awards to help support participants' costs. These awards include Young Investigators' Award, Trainee Travel Award, Young Faculty Award, and David Oelberg Honorary Trainee Travel Award. Most recently, we also recognize the Society for Pediatric Research Travel Award to enhance diversity in the research workforce. ​ Faculty Legacy Awards In a tradition of honoring the legacy of our esteemed institution, the SSPR Fo under's Award and Pediatric Educator Award are presented annually to honor individuals who have made important contributions to the Society and to the education of pediatricians in the southern region.

REMINDER: The room block cut-off at the InterContinental is January 30 . As you know, February is a busy time in New Orleans and the rooms book quickly. Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. BOOK NOW CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION The Southern Society for Pediatric Research was organized in 1960 as a forum for pediatric investigators from the southern region to present their work. The society meets annually in New Orleans, Louisiana, in conjunction with the Southern Regional Meetings. Several workshops on important research and academic skills are presented each year. Learn more about how we are fostering the next generation of pediatricians, pediatric specialists, educators and scientists to promote advances in child health and improve outcomes by highlighting and encouraging scholarly activities.

SSPR Young Investigator Awards Basic and Clinical Science Scroll Down Sponsored by: The Southern Society for Pediatric Research This prestigious award showcases the highest calibre of academic and scholarly enterprise in our region. The mission of our society is to foster these young investigators with mentorship, guidance and preparation to present their work at National and International forums. The Young Investigator Awards represent the best abstracts submitted for our annual meeting. They have received the highest scores by our reviewers. Three finalists are selected from both the basic and clinical science categories who are then asked to submit a manuscript of their work prior to the meeting, which is also scored by the judges. Finally, all finalists deliver oral presentations during the Plenary Session of the SSPR annual meeting. One winner is selected from each group and awarded a plaque as well as a monetary prize to help offset cost of travel. Studies should address a clinical or basic science problem, either diagnostic or therapeutic, with relevance to the field of pediatrics and should interest an audience of pediatric physicians/ scientists. Eligibility Any student, resident, fellow or junior faculty is eligible for the Young Investigator competition who: has performed the major portion of the investigation no later than 5 years following completion of a fellowship or postgraduate training wishes to report on a problem related to pediatrics has demonstrated that the work is scientifically important has a sponsor who is a member of the SSPR has been directly responsible for the majority of the work presented (as corroborated by a Senior Investigator or Sponsor letter) Application Please indicate on your abstract submission if you would like to apply for this award. A letter from the senior investigator or sponsor that includes a statement that the work was performed by the nominee and fully addresses the role the candidate had in the work is required. ​ Finalists will be required to submit a draft manuscript of their work in January. This is not expected to be the final draft for publication, nor will we publish it. It is meant to evaluate the finalists ability to synthesize their work product into a manner to be disseminated to the scientific community

GOVERNANCE Executive Board 2023-24 Amy Hair, MD President 2024-25 Neonatology Baylor College of Medicine Texas Children's Hospital abhair@bcm.edu James Moore, MD PhD Treasurer Neonatology Connecticut Children’s Hospital jmoore01@connecticutchildrens.org Faizah Bhatti, MD Director of Communications and Social Media Neonatology Oklahoma University Health Science Center Faizah-bhatti@ouhsc.edu Bindiya Bagga, MD President-Elect 2025-26 Peds Infectious Disease The University of Tennessee Health Science Center bbagga@uthsc.edu Jay Kerecman, MD Secretary Neonatology Northern Light Health jkerecman@gmail.com Amir Khan, MD Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Neonatology University of Texas Health Science Center- Houston amir.m.khan@uth.tmc.edu Past Presidents Council Members 2023-24 Ariel Salas, MD University of Alabama at Birmingham Tina Findley, MD University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Heidi Steflik, MD Medical University of South Carolina Muralidhar Premkumar, MBBS Baylor College of Medicine Quyen Pham, MD Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Tara Randis, MD University of South Florida Julie Mirpuri, MD UT Southwestern Communications and Social Media Committee Faizah Bhatti, MD Faizah-bhatti@ouhsc.edu University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Alvaro Moreira, MD moreiraa@uthscsa.edu University of Texas Health at San Antonio Quyen Pham, MD qpham@augusta.edu Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Katie Chetta, MD chetta@musc.edu Medical University of South Carolina

SSPR SCHOLARLY ANNUAL AWARDS SSPR prides itself in supporting attendance of learners, trainees and junior faculty to our annual meeting in New Orleans. Various awards have been established to help support participants' costs for travel and registration to our annual meeting. ​ A highlight of our annual meeting is the Basic and Clinical Young Investigators' Award competition. We also have an active Trainee Travel Award program and David Oelberg Honorary Trainee Travel Award to encourage meeting attendance by students, residents, and fellows. I n addition, we are pleased to join with the Society for Pediatric Research to a honor and help support travel of selected new Young Faculty Award from under-represented populations; the SPR Travel Award to Enhance Diversity in the Research Workforce. ​ The Founder's Award and Pediatric Educator Award are awarded annually to honor individuals who have made important contributions to the Society and to the education of pediatricians in the southern region. Click on the award tabs below for more information, eligibility criteria and how to apply. AWARD CATEGORIES

Member Access Advancing Pediatric Research through Mentorship and Collaboration Are you a researcher looking for resources and connections to help advance your work?SSPR Membership offers access to "member-only" features, our membership directory and online elections. We will also send you up-to-date annual meeting information - join today and enjoy the benefits of being connected with other pediatric academic members like you! ​ Members can also view the Society by-laws and governance Membership Directory Access a directory of members from our society. Please note that data is what members provide in their personal profiles and may not be up to date. Council Elections This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

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