Editor's Memo

A few years after I began to work in the field of PH with my mentor, Dr. Bruce Brundage, I missed what would have been my 1^st International PHA conference in 1998: my son was born 2 days before the meeting started. At the time I did not know what I would be missing. At the following PHA conference, I found out what all the fuss was about. In 2000, over 700 patients, caregivers, practitioners and researchers converged on a sold-out hotel in suburban Chicago, and everyone poured their hearts (and minds) out to better the PH community. Children wearing backpacks with IV pumps inside, patients parading on stage showing off the latest pump-concealing fashions, and PH experts volunteering their time and expense to inform, teach and learn about PH were among the many highlights of that and each subsequent meeting I attended. To say that the biennial International Conferences and Scientific Sessions of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association are one of the most emotionally draining yet inspirational and uplifting events in the lives of anyone involved in PH would be a major understatement. This issue's coverage of the most recent PHA meeting, the 8^th International Conference and Scientific Sessions of the Pulmonary Hyper-tension Association thus holds a special place in my heart. Dr. Karen Fagan, Guest Editor of this issue and Chair of the PHA Scientific Sessions held in Houston last June, did a fantastic job putting together an entire issue devoted to the Conference, in which over 1100 people from 17 different countries attended. From original scientific contributions to an expert Roundtable, all focused on the Scientific Sessions, plus an international commentary on PH and connective tissue disease issues covered in the last Summer issue of Advances, I am sure you too will learn and hopefully be inspired to attend the next International Conference.