President's Welcome Message 
The sixth biennial meeting of the Pulmonary Pathology Society, June 24-26, 2009 in Portland, Oregon was a great success! There were 45 internationally recognized speakers and moderators and 124 participants from 12 nations. Highlights of the meeting included a keynote address presented by Dr. Robert Homer of Yale University School of Medicine entitled, ‘‘New Insights into the Molecular Biology of Interstitial Lung Disease”, a discussion of the new multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma by Dr William Travis of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, an update on the classification of neuroendocrine carcinomas by Dr. Douglas Flieder of Fox Chase Cancer Center, and an update on idiopathic interstitial pneumonias by Dr Thomas Colby of the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale.
Dr Jeffrey Myers of the University of Michigan discussed current knowledge of small airways disease. Dr Elisabeth Brambilla of CHU Albert Michallon, France, provided insight on the role of the pathologist in molecular targeted therapy of lung cancer. Dr Helmut Popper of the Medical University of Graz, Austria, gave an update on molecular pathology and molecular targets of mesothelioma. The final day of the session featured an update on the diagnosis of mesothelioma and other forms of pleural neoplasia by Drs Galateau-Salle´ of CHU Caen, France, Andrew Churg of the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Timothy Allen of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Additionally, a special panel of experts chaired by Dr Philip Cagle of The Methodist Hospital debated the link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer.
A large thanks also to all members of the PPS Council who include: Andrew Churg and Aliya Husain from North America; Keith Kerr and Elisabeth Brambilla from Europe; Belinda Clarke from Australia.. I would also like to thank the Chair and members of the Program Committee (Timothy Allen-chair, Kelly Butnor, Teri Franks, Richard Attanoos, Sanja Dacic and Junya Fukuoka) and Awards Committee (Mary Beth Beasley-chair, Vera Capelozzi, Douglas Flieder, Francoise Galateau-Salle, Tashiaki Kawai, Andras Khoor, Tom Sporn). We also thank Vera Capelozzi for her efforts at the upcoming 2010 IAP meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
We are looking forward to the next two years which promise to bring new challenges and opportunities for our society as we continue to grow. Thanks to all members who make this society great - a collection of pathologists with a shared interest in advancing the field of Pulmonary Pathology! 2010 also marks the beginning of our transition back to an independent society!.
With best regards,
Donald G. Guinee, Jr., MD
President, Pulmonary Pathology Society