LHS Symposium 2026

Registration information

This in-person event provides a forum for research, clinical, and operational departments to gain insights, practical knowledge, and connections in conducting research that is integrated into clinical care to transform health care delivery and improve patient outcomes.

The agenda features a nationally recognized, external keynote speaker in learning health systems and poster and panel sessions that showcase local projects in implementation science, quality improvement research, and embedded research in the learning health system.

New Location: Vanderbilt Student Life Center | 310 25th Ave. S. | Map

Questions? Contact us at CHSR@vumc.org.

All are welcome to attend! Lunch is provided. To register to attend this event, complete the form linked below. Registration will close April 30.

Click here to Register Now

See below for information on oral abstract and poster submission.

Symposium Agenda

Tentative Program and Schedule

Keynote Speaker
 

Kevin P. High, MD, MS, MACP, FIDSA
Vice Chief Academic Officer/academic Learning Health System Advocate Health
Professor of Medicine and Translational Science, with tenure Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM)

Kevin High, MD, MS, MACP, FIDSA, is vice chief academic officer of the academic Learning Health System (aLHS) for Advocate Health and professor of medicine and translational science at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. In this role, Dr. High is responsible for growing aLHS core competencies, integrating research and clinical practice models, driving embedded research and clinical trials as a care model, and reducing translation time from discovery to clinical impact. Previously, Dr. High served as president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist from 2015 to 2023 during a time of major growth, nearly doubling its size and playing a key role in integrating Wake Forest Baptist with Atrium Health in 2020 and Advocate/Aurora in 2022. The combined entity, Advocate Health, spans seven states and is the third largest non-profit health system in the country, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core. Dr. High served in a variety of administrative, academic and research positions prior to becoming system-wide president. He was Tinsley R. Harrison Professor and Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and previously served as section chief of infectious diseases, and in multiple associate dean and other leadership roles. An accomplished clinician/scientist in the field of infection and immunity in older adults, Dr. High has received multiple grants from the NIH, PCORI, and national foundations, and has led programs to integrate geriatrics into medical subspecialties. Nationally, he has served as a member of the NIA Council and the board of directors of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Oral Abstract Presentations

Call for Oral Abstract Submissions

We are excited to announce the inaugural Oral Abstract Sessions at the LHS Symposium! Two afternoon sessions will showcase innovative and impactful learning health system research. Each 30-minute session will feature three 5-min abstract presentations followed by a moderated Q&A. Format is subject to change based on submissions received.

Abstract Submission Process

To be considered for an oral abstract presentation, please  use  the submission form below  to  submit  a  structured,  300-word abstract  with the following headings: Background, Methods, Findings, Implications/Impact. Projects must have reached a stage to have substantive analysis and results. Submissions must describe work that is new. It is also allowable to have been published/presented elsewhere within the past year. If selected, one presenting author must be available to present in-person on May 14 between 1 and 3:30 p.m. 

Abstract submission deadline: March 30, 11:59 p.m. Central Time. 

Complete Your Abstract Submission Here

We encourage everyone submitting an oral abstract to also present their work at the poster session to reach a wider audience and provide more in-depth engagement with attendees. Posters are registered through a separate submission process below.

For questions regarding the Oral Abstract Presentations session, contact Kelsey Rodriguez, MPH at kelsey.rodriguez@vumc.org.

Poster Presentations

Call for Poster Submissions

The in-person poster session will accept all posters that present projects or topics in the following areas:

• Implementation science: the study of how to integrate evidence-based practices, interventions, and policies into routine settings to improve health care delivery and patient health
• Quality improvement research: a systematic approach that aims to improve practices within a specific setting by collecting data, analyzing it, and implementing changes based on existing knowledge
• Embedded research in the learning health system: research within a health system that integrates internal data and experience with external evidence to improve patient care

For posters, we welcome both work-in-progress and completed work! See examples of posters presented last year. 

If you are unsure if your research project is a fit for the symposium, email Dr. Lyndsay Nelson at  lyndsay.a.nelson@vumc.org or Dr. Autumn Zuckerman at autumn.zuckerman@vumc.org.

The poster presenter must attend the in-person poster session on May 14 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and be available to hang the poster between 8:30 –  9:15 a.m. Poster awards will be presented at approximately 1:50 pm.

Poster Awards

Prizes and trophies will be awarded to winning posters in the following categories: Best Work-in-Progress,  Best Completed Work, People's Choice

• Judges will determine winners for Best Work-in-Progress and Best Completed Work
• Posters will be judged based on the following criteria:Visual appeal, Clarity of content, Oral presentation of poster, Overall impact

Poster Submission Process

Information needed for poster submission includes: project status, topic area, poster title, and author list. You do not need to enter an abstract. All posters appropriate to the scope of the LHS Symposium will be accepted.

Poster submission deadline: April 20, 11:59 p.m. Central Time

Complete Your Poster Submission Here

Poster Preparation

• Poster Size: Prepare poster to fit on a 4' H x 6' W poster board. Recommended poster size is 36" H x 48" W. We are trying to keep poster sizes consistent across presenters; however, it is fine if you need to reuse a poster from another event with different size requirements.
• Poster Format: The content should be visible from a  two to three-foot distance. Any arrangement is allowable but consider the new "better poster" format: NPR Health Shots Article.
• Poster Printing: The VU Basic Sciences Poster Printing Core is an option.

Planning Committee
 

Thank you to the symposium planning committee for volunteering their time and diverse expertise in organizing this event!

Updated: 2/24/2026