COVID-19
As 2020 draws to a close, it is quite unbelievable to consider how the world has changed in just a year. We have all made sacrifices over the last few months and many of you have had to considerably adapt your working practices, schedules and day-to-day jobs in order to care for and protect patients. The resilience, flexibility and hard work demonstrated by our profession and across health care has been remarkable.
ESPE, along with every organisation, has also had to adapt and I’m very grateful to our Council and committee members for enabling us to do so; postponing, adapting and delivering activities to support our members in the most appropriate ways. We have also appreciated your patience and understanding. I’d like to remind you that our COVID-19 Hub is still available on the website for helpful information and resources related to COVID-19 and paediatric endocrine care.
Annual Meeting
We were all extremely disappointed not to meet in person this year for our Annual Meeting and we were very hopeful of being able to come together once again in Liverpool in May 2021. However, as the global situation regarding large congresses and international travel remains so uncertain, it has been necessary for us once again to review all of the options for the ESPE Meeting 2021. I am very pleased to announce that following the success of ESPE Connect Online, with over 5,000 attendees and 20,000 individual session views, we will host a virtual ESPE 2021 Meeting online in our usual Meeting month of September. The Programme Organising Committee is working hard to adjust the programme to a virtual format, taking into consideration the feedback we have received to ensure we can offer you the best possible ESPE Meeting experience next year. Further details will be announced in the New Year. We look forward to Liverpool hosting an ESPE Meeting in the future and are currently in discussion with the venue to identify the possible options.
I would also like to let you know that the International Meeting of Pediatric Endocrinology in Buenos Aires, has been postponed until 19-22 March 2022.
ESPE Connect Online – content on-demand
In the meantime, to help our community continue to learn from the ESPE Connect Online 2020 content, which took place in November, we have decided to reopen registration. All registrants have access to all of the on-demand content until 6 November 2021. There will be a nominal fee of €15 per person to register to cover the charges incurred from the platform. Those who registered previously will continue to access the content until November as well. Visit our website to register.
Grants
I also encourage you to make the most of the ESPE funding opportunities currently available and to apply for one of several grants designed to help further your career, your research and ultimately the care we give our patients. All details and upcoming deadlines can be found on our website.
Award nominations
We have also slightly extended the deadline for ESPE 2021 award nominations, so if you’d like to see a colleague recognised for their clinical or research achievements, please do submit your nominations by 11 January 2021.
I hope you will be able to take a little time to relax and recuperate over the festive period. I send you and your family season’s greetings and wish you all the best for a more hopeful, happy and healthy 2021. Thank you for being part of our collaborative and supportive community.
Anita
ESPE Secretary General