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Southern Pediatric Neurology Society

The Southern Pediatric Neurology Society (SPNS) is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for 33 years and has an annual meeting in New Orleans each March. Originally the annual meeting provided an opportunity for a small group of pediatric neurologists to meet in a casual atmosphere to present and discuss interesting patients. It has evolved over the years so that at this point the annual meeting provides a forum for junior members (medical students, residents, and emeritus members also presenting interesting cases). There are invited speakers each year. The John Bodensteiner Presidential Lecture will be presented by Jerry Mendell, M.D. from the Columbus Children’s Research Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. E. Steve Roach, expert in Pediatric Stroke at Ohio State University Medical College will be presenting the Paul R. Dyken Scholarship Lecture.

The 33rd annual meeting will be at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, LA on March 29, 2008. The meeting will begin at 7:30 AM and conclude a 5:00 PM. The two invited speakers will present one hour lectures. Others presentations during the day are given by junior and senior members and generally last 15 minutes each with 5 minutes for discussion. Presentation of original research is encouraged, but may also be interesting case presentations. Two awards are available for the best junior member presentations. SAGE, Inc., publisher of the Journal of Child Neurology, sponsors the Decker award with an award of $1000 and a plaque. The M. Caroline Duncan Award is sponsored by the SPNS with and award of $500 and a plaque. This award is given in honor of Dr. Duncan for her great contributions to the education of numerous medical students, residents, fellows and peers.

The vast majority of our funding comes from pharmaceutical companies in the form of educational grants. There are minimal annual dues for members. CME hours will be available for all attendees.

There are generally about 30 - 40 attendees at the meeting. This makes for a cozy forum, but the meeting can be enhanced by more health care professionals coming to the meeting. Physicians, nurses and other health care professionals interested in pediatric neurology are invited to attend. This year the officers and board of directors of the SPNS are working towards increasing the membership and numbers of meeting attendees. There is a meeting brochure, dinner reservation, and an abstract form available in the “Services” section of our website. The deadline for the abstract submission is December 1, 2007 and a CV must accompany the abstract submission. There will be a Welcome Dinner on Friday evening, March 28, 2008, for all attendees who pre-register and make a reservation. Location TBA.

If you have any questions or comments, you may contact any of the SPNS officers or members of the SPNS board. See “Contact Us” on our website. If you would like to become a member of the SPNS, please contact Jean Teasley at jeteasley@vcu.edu or her assistant, Alice Simon at spnsociety@peoplepc.com.

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