Trainees, Mentors, and Families come Together for 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies Conference
Thousands of pediatric researchers, clinicians, and medical educators from around the world gathered in Boston from April 24–27 for the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting, the premier annual conference advancing scientific discovery, innovation, and advocacy in child and adolescent health. Among them were dozens of faculty members, trainees, and staff from University of Rochester Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital, whose work was featured prominently across the meeting’s scientific and educational programming.
In total, URochester Medicine faculty, trainees, and staff delivered 63 presentations, including:
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32 poster presentations
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16 oral abstracts
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Five workshops
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Three symposia
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Six Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions
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One panel discussion.
An additional 17 presentations featured URochester Medicine collaborators, underscoring the institution’s strong national and multidisciplinary partnerships.
Building the pediatric research pipeline
PAS also serves as a critical venue for training the next generation of pediatric investigators, and URochester Medicine trainees were highly visible throughout the meeting. Eight fellows and one med‑peds resident presented their work, alongside medical students and research staff, reflecting a robust and supportive research pipeline.
Faculty leadership and innovation
Faculty also helped facilitate workshops focused on advocacy topics such as environmental health and climate change, reinforcing the role of pediatricians beyond the bedside.
National recognition in pediatric education
The meeting also included national recognition for URochester Medicine faculty. Rita Dadiz, DO, professor in the Division of Neonatology, was formally inducted into the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics (NADEP) during a PAS reception.
Dadiz was selected through a rigorous peer‑review process recognizing the depth and breadth of her contributions to pediatric education. Her induction reflects years of dedication to training and mentoring pediatric clinicians and educators and places her among a national cohort shaping the future of pediatric education.
Research, family, and community
From infants accompanying parents during poster sessions to families cheering on presenters, PAS 2026 reflected the very communities pediatric research aims to serve. Trainees and faculty alike balanced demanding scientific schedules with family support, reinforcing the deeply human side of academic pediatrics.
