From the President - continued from page 1

seamlessly integrate knowledge from basic research and health information from community-based medicine.

Sound familiar? Our Society's mission neatly aligns with these roadmap themes. These roadmap themes permeated the 47 th Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh and are on-tap for the 48 th Annual Meeting in Monterey, California. Tina Chambers and the Program Committee put together an outstanding program that covers a broad range of relevant topics. Plan to attend June 28 - July 2, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey and look for the connections to the NIH roadmap.

For 47 years this Society has played a critical role in improving and protecting the health of fetuses and children. During the past year several key activities have been realized that pave the road to the future of the Society. For example, the third Strategic Planning Session provides an opportunity for us to assess how far we have come in 47 years, where we need to go, and how we can better meet the needs of our membership to improve women and children's health. Through appreciative inquiry the strategic planning process has implemented several 'working groups' focused on scientific excellence and leadership, membership recruitment and retention, and outreach and partnering. Through this process we hope to involve the entire membership and particularly welcome the participation of those members having a strong passion for the discipline, new ideas to share, important concerns to address, and above all aspire to propel the Society further into 21 st century medicine.

This newsletter highlights important activities and events as we move toward the 48 th Annual Meeting. Thanks to the efforts of Deb Hansen and newsletter contributors, you can see some of the important activities that lie before us and, as always, we welcome your comments, inputs and insights. •

48th meeting - continued from page 1

Emeritus members are encouraged to attend the meeting and Education Courses. Reduced registration rates have been established to assist you in your continued participation in the Annual Meeting. To qualify for this rate you must be an approved Emeritus Member of the Teratology Society.

Members, students and your colleagues are encouraged to plan now for abstract submission in early-February. Register prior to February 19 to take advantage of the lowest rates. We look forward to seeing you in Monterey! •

The Entrance to the Hyatt Hotel in Monterey, CA – site of the 48 th Annual Meeting.

Student/Postdoc Travel Awardees at the 2007 Annual Meeting.