As President of PAPS, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all, and invite you to join us in Houston, Texas for what promises to be an interesting and fun meeting in one of the most vibrant cities in the United States. Before becoming a state, Texas was an independent nation, and it prides itself on its history and a rich cultural heritage that sets it apart from other places in the country. Everything from cowboys to astronauts, from Mexican cuisine to Texas barbeque, from picturesque bayous to the largest medical complex in the world—there is so much in Houston to experience, and we plan to show you as much of our town as we can in the week that we share together in April 2026.

Our scientific program promises to bring together pediatric surgeons from around the world, sharing experimental studies and innovative procedures to help improve the surgical care of children. But we also gather together to spend time with friends and colleagues, while also learning about the unique things that set Houston apart from other cities. Our conference tour will take us to NASA, where we will have private tours of the Saturn V rocket and Mission Control, as well as briefings from astronauts about the experience of being in space.

The meeting will conclude at our banquet with one of our favorite traditions of PAPS—the annual sing-along, where members from every country represented at the conference will share a song. We hope you will wear your finest cowboy attire for the banquet!

I look forward to seeing y’all in Houston!