Everyone is welcome, and no prior presenter experience is needed. If this is your first time at a conference, do not worry — help is always available. We recognize that presenting is not about confidence or prior presentation experience — many of our presenters are first‑timers. What matters most is your knowledge of the topic, developed through practice, lived experience, research or a combination of these, and your willingness to partner with our community to share that expertise with those who need it most.

We are committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible summit that allows everyone to participate. Our focus on accessibility includes the ability to attend in-person or virtually. The summit provides the following services in the venue:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation: Available at all plenary sessions and upon request for breakout sessions.
• Interpretive services: The summit will be presented in multiple languages. Presenters are welcome to present in their preferred language. Interpretation services are available to both presenters and attendees upon request.
• Captioning: Live and closed captioning will be provided at the plenary session and enabled on the Summit virtual platform. Additional captioning will be available upon request.
• Reserved seating: Seats can be reserved for better visibility of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART).
• Wheelchair accessibility: The Davis Center venue is wheelchair accessible, with reserved wheelchair spaces available upon request.
• Accessible digital content: Digital versions of presentations and documents will be accessible via the summit virtual platform.
• Sensory/quiet, prayer and meditation, and lactation rooms: These Davis Center designated spaces are available to all attendees.
• Gender-inclusive bathrooms: All bathrooms in the conference area will be gender-neutral during the summit.
• Specific requests: Please share your needs or preferences in the proposal form (Additional Considerations) or email HESummit@uvmhealth.org at any time.
• Environmentally friendly venue: Our venue Davis Center is committed to upholding environmental equity in logistics and event planning.

The Summit brings together a diverse community of people from across Northern New York and Vermont who share a commitment to advancing health and well-being of our communities and our environment. Participants include individuals representing rural and urban communities, health and social service organizations, academic institutions, advocacy groups and local and regional agencies.

Attendees come from many backgrounds — community leaders and members, patients and caregivers, public health and behavioral health professionals, educators, students, researchers and practicing professionals across all settings. This mix of lived, community and professional expertise makes the Summit an energizing space for shared learning and connection.

Presenters are encouraged to design sessions that resonate across different specialties and levels of experience, offering practical insights that participants can take back to their work and communities. If your session is designed for a specific group or assumes prior knowledge, please indicate this in your proposal to ensure accessibility and meaningful engagement for all.

Plan your submission in advance. We suggest that you review the Sample Form to help you prepare your submission (you can download a Sample Form). Do not underestimate the importance of making your presentation interactive and innovative. We prioritize sessions that are interactive and include time for discussion and practice. Please carefully consider the items below before submitting:

• Authors/Presenters: Include the names of all authors in your submission. Clearly identify which author(s) will be presenting and choose one person to be your main contact. The main contact will be the link between the presenters and the Committee. We may reach out for clarifications, revisions, and additional details.
  • Authors are individuals who made a meaningful contribution to the development of the content being submitted (e.g., research, program design, implementation, writing, or evaluation). All authors receive credit for the work, regardless of whether they attend or present.
  • Presenters are the author(s) who will actively deliver the session, poster, or presentation if the submission is accepted. Presenters are responsible for communicating the content to the attendees and typically must register for and attend the event.
  • Pronouns: This is a required field. If you would like to skip it, you may type ‘N/A’ or ‘Prefer not to say.’
• Title of presentation: The title cannot exceed 15 words. Choose a title that accurately reflects the content and focus of your presentation.
• Identify up to three subject areas your presentation is focusing on (Learn more at Subject Areas)
• Presentation format (formats marked with an asterisk (*) are more competitive due to space limitations):
  • Tip: If your goal is to share a specific program, project, or set of lessons learned, a Lecture or Oral Presentation is often the best fit and tends to have more available slots than Panels and Workshops.
  • Panel* (50 minutes, up to five presenters with one moderator): A panel session includes four to five (4-5) participants discussing a common theme, issue or question. Panels may include short statements where panelists outline different or similar approaches to the same question. A panel presentation is usually set for 40 minutes or less, with at least 10 minutes for discussions with the attendees. You will need to coordinate with all panel members for the final presentation.
  • Lecture (50 minutes, up to three presenters): A lecture is usually conducted by one to three (1-3) presenters focusing on one case study, research or area of work. A lecture presentation may use different types of media (including film or video) to share its content. A lecture is usually set for 40 minutes or less, with at least 10 minutes for discussions with the attendees.
  • Workshop* (50 minutes, up to three presenters): A workshop is a session that helps participants increase their understanding and skills in a particular area, using interactive tools and practices. These sessions may include active involvement from the attendees. Priority will be given to workshops that present material with clear practical support. A workshop is set for 50 minutes or less. Presenters are responsible for providing required materials. If your workshop needs a specific room setup, please indicate that in your submission under Additional Considerations.
  • Oral presentation (20 minutes, one presenter): An oral presentation is usually conducted by one speaker. The goal is to highlight a new project, initiative or experience. An oral presentation is usually set for 15-20 minutes, with at least 5 minutes for discussions with the attendees. There will be two oral presentations in one session block.
  • Poster presentation: A poster presentation is a dynamic way to share research, quality improvement projects or innovative work related to health equity. Posters should be 36x48 inches, with foam boards and display areas provided at the summit. As a presenter, be ready to explain your poster to different attendees; some may want detailed analysis, while others need a quick overview. Your posters will be on display both virtually and physically during the summit. Find samples and templates here.
  • Other (Describe): Choose this option if your session does not fit the formats listed. In the space provided, briefly describe the format, how participants will engage, what you want attendees to take away and the amount of time you are requesting (up to 1 hour and 50 minutes). Please note that most sessions are scheduled in 50-minute blocks.

The Programming Committee aims to provide as many presenters as possible with the opportunity to share and discuss their work. The Committee may contact your main contact to suggest an alternative presentation format.

If you are unsure about the best format for your idea and would like guidance, please contact HESummit@uvmhealth.org at least two weeks before the April 10 deadline.

• Abstract/Proposal: Your abstract or proposal is limited to 500 words. We welcome a wide range of submissions — from sessions based on research or evaluation to presentations that share lived experiences or community partnerships. Each proposal should offer clear insights that help move the conversation and action forward towards health equity. Giving specific and easy-to-understand information will help the committee review your proposal and find the best place for it in the program. When writing your submission, please consider the following:
  • Introduction: Begin with a short introduction that explains what your session is about and how it connects to health equity.
  • Objectives: Clearly describe what you hope to share or achieve. What areas of diversity or health equity does your presentation focus on?
  • Methods: Explain what steps, activities or approaches you used to reach your findings or conclusions. Be specific about your sources, techniques or creative ideas.
  • Key findings: Summarize your most important results or outcomes. You will have more space to outline your Top Three Learning Objectives in the next question. Include any compelling evidence or examples that support your message.
  • Implications: Describe why your work matters. How does it help improve health equity? Could it affect policy, practice or future work?
  • Attendee engagement: Tell us how you plan to engage with the attendees. If your session is meant for a certain group or requires background knowledge, please note that.
  • Clarity: Keep your writing simple and clear. Avoid technical terms or jargon so that everyone can understand your ideas.
  • Proofreading: Focus on clarity more than perfect writing. A quick review will help make sure others clearly understand your session’s purpose, audience and key takeaways.
• Connection to the topic: Briefly share why you are bringing this session forward. Describe your relationship with the topic. How did you gain your knowledge or experience in this area? Explain how you included the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of the people most impacted by the issue to ensure your presentation reflects real-world insight and shared understanding.
• Accountability: Health equity work is strongest when guided by those most impacted. Tell us how your session centers lived and community experience — for example, how impacted individuals helped shape the content, will take part as presenters or partners in the Summit and how their priorities and perspectives are reflected throughout your session.
• List 3 learning objectives: List three clear takeaways for participants. Describe what people will learn and what they will be able to do after the session. Aim for specific outcomes such as new understanding, a skill to practice or an approach participants can apply in their work or community.
• This conference will host a combination of in-person, online and hybrid sessions. In what format would you like to present your session? Please indicate your preferred mode of presentation.
  • Virtual presenters: You will present live via the Summit virtual platform during your scheduled session time. A tech check and support will be available.
  • In-person/Hybrid presenters: You will present in the UVM Davis Center during your scheduled session time. Audiovisual (AV) support and a room host will be available.
• Additional considerations: We recognize that all presentation formats may assume presenters can speak and physically interact with attendees. Please use this field to describe how your presentation will be conducted and how the Planning Committee can best support your presentation in terms of support services, space and program placement to ensure a successful outcome.
• Permission to publish your abstract in HES'26 virtual event platform. If selected, your abstract may be published in Summit materials and on the Summit virtual platform. If you prefer not to publish, indicate that in your submission.
• Presenter/Author Approval: By checking this box, you confirm that you have obtained approval from all presenters/authors listed in the application.
• Presenter/Author Will Attend: By checking this box, you confirm that at least one presenter/author listed in this submission will attend the Summit in the format of your choice.
• Honoraria/Payment: At this time, the Summit does not offer monetary payments to presenters.

Health equity is the central focus of this summit. The following subject areas reflect the scope of health equity as defined by the World Health Organization. Submissions may address up to three of the following areas:

1. Community Engagement and Empowerment:
   1. Building trust and partnerships with marginalized and underserved communities.
   2. Community-led health initiatives and their impact on health equity.
2. Policy and Advocacy:
   1. The role of policy in promoting health equity.
   2. Advocacy strategies for systemic change in public health and social services.
3. Health Education:
   1. Training and supporting future health professionals.
   2. Integrating health equity principles into education and training curricula.
   3. Grounding health education in community knowledge and experience.
   4. Identifying and addressing biases within health education.
   5. Raising awareness of emerging health professions.
4. Cultural Humility:
   1. Promoting cultural humility in health systems services.
   2. Removing language and accessibility barriers to improve patient and provider experience.
5. Innovations in Sustainable Health Practices:
   1. Telehealth and digital health solutions for underserved populations.
   2. Innovative models in creating healthy and sustainable communities.
   3. Integrating sustainability into public health and health care practices.
6. Mental Health and Well-being:
   1. Addressing mental health disparities and promoting social, emotional and spiritual well-being.
   2. Integrating mental health services into primary care.
   3. Exploring connections between mental health and climate change.
7. Rural Health Equity:
   1. Challenges and innovative solutions for advancing health equity in rural areas.
   2. Addressing the unique health and social needs of an aging rural population.
   3. Case studies of successful rural health programs.
8. Health-Related Socioeconomic and Environmental Needs:
   1. Exploring the impact of socioeconomic status, education and employment on health outcomes.
   2. Advancing strategies that promote the prosperity of rural communities, ensure sustainable access to essential resources and support regenerative growth for long-term health and well-being.
9. Health Disparities and Inequities:
   1. Identifying and addressing health disparities among different demographic groups.
   2. Examining the effects of environmental and structural factors on health equity.
   3. Highlighting successful interventions that reduce health inequities.
   4. Exploring links between health inequities and climate change.
10. Data and Measurement:
    1. Methods for measuring health equity and tracking progress.
    2. Using data to inform and improve health equity initiatives.
11. Intersectionality in Health Equity:
    1. Exploring how overlapping social identities (e.g., race, gender, disability) shape health experiences and outcomes.
    2. Strategies for addressing intersectional barriers to health equity.
12. Climate Change and Health Equity:
    1. Exploring how climate change influences health disparities.
    2. Building community resilience and adaptation strategies to climate impacts.
    3. Success stories of health systems and others leading in climate resilience.
    4. Highlighting climate-friendly and sustainable health initiatives.
13. Stewardship and Ethical Practices:
    1. Promoting ethical stewardship in health care and community partnership.
    2. Ensuring equitable access to health resources and care.
    3. Strengthening policies and practices for responsible, transparent health care management.

All sessions must be free from institutional or professional bias and remain educational, neutral and objective. Content should be designed for attendees to apply independently, without relying on the presenter. Submissions that do not meet these standards will not be accepted.

Presenters are responsible for making their sessions engaging while ensuring that all specialized content is based on current science, evidence and clinical reasoning. Promoting harmful practices or making medical claims without credible support is not allowed.

Everyone, including presenters, will be required to register for the event.

To help facilitate your submission process, we recommend planning:

• Download the Sample Call for Proposal Form, which is the same as the online form.
• Use the provided template to gather necessary information and draft your submission as outlined above.
• Submit using the online form once you are ready.
• We use Oxford Abstracts for abstract management. You must log in to begin your submission.
  • If you already have an account, enter your login information.
  • If you are a first-time user, start by creating a new account. You will need to create a profile to submit your abstract.
• Submitting for multiple sessions? Each submission must be completed individually. You will need to start a new submission from the beginning for each session you wish to be considered for.

The Health Equity Summit review process is conducted by members of the Abstract Review Committee and volunteers from the University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, UVM Health System and community partners. Having a wide variety of representatives from across our academic and community network ensures a thorough review of every submission.

Prospective presenters will receive an email notification once the selection process is complete (mid-May). Notifications will indicate whether a proposal has been accepted, declined or marked as contingent. We appreciate your time, effort, and expertise in applying.

• Accepted presenters will be directed to a webpage where additional requirements and deadlines will be detailed.
• Submissions are selected based on the information submitted and alignment with the abstract guidelines provided above.
• The Abstract Review Committee may offer feedback and recommendations to ensure that presentations are timely, relevant and aligned with attendee needs. In some cases, acceptance may be contingent on incorporating this feedback. When applicable, presenters will receive guidance before the final selection phase.
• Common reasons proposals are not selected:
  • The proposal is too vague (unclear topic, audience or takeaways).
  • The proposal presents on or on behalf of people without elevating their voices and experiences.
  • The format does not match the content (for example, a workshop with no interactive plan).
  • The content is more promotional than educational.
  • The proposal does not clearly connect to health equity or impacted communities.

If you have questions that are not answered in this guidance, please contact us at HESummit@uvmhealth.org. If you have requests related to accessibility, language access or space/setup needs, please include them in the “Additional Considerations” section of your submission form.

Please use the link below to book a 30-minute virtual meeting with us via MS Teams: HES’26 Call for Proposal Consultation. The self-booking page will be active from February 11 through April 9. If you need interpreter services for this call or have any special requests, please add them to the 'Add any special requests' section. If you need interpreter services for this call or have any special requests, please add them to the 'Add any special requests' section.

If you are interested in submitting proposals and presenting in any other languages, please contact us through interpreted call-in numbers.

SPANISH
Si está interesado en enviar propuestas y realizar presentaciones en otros idiomas, comuníquese con nosotros a través de los números de teléfono con interpretación. Español: 844-447-1264

NEPALI
यदि तपाईं अन्य कुनै भाषामा प्रस्ताव र प्रस्तुतीकरणहरू पेश गर्न चाहनुहुन्छ भने, कृपया हाम्रो अनुवादित भाषा-विशिष्ट नम्बरहरू मार्फत हामीलाई सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस्। नेपाली: 844-447-1261

SWAHILI
Ikiwa ungependa kuwasilisha mapendekezo na mawasilisho katika lugha nyingine, tafadhali wasiliana nasi kupitia nambari zetu zilizotafsiriwa za lugha mahususi. Kiswahili: 844-447-1263

FRENCH
Si vous souhaitez soumettre des propositions et des soumissions dans d'autres langues, veuillez nous contacter via nos numéros traduits spécifiques à chaque langue. Français: 844-447-1265

VIETNAMESE
Nếu bạn muốn gửi đề xuất và bài dự thi của mình bằng ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng liên hệ với chúng tôi qua số điện thoại dịch thuật chuyên dụng cho ngôn ngữ đó.  Tiếng Việt: 844-447-1268

MANDARIN
如果您想用其他语言提交提案或演示文稿，请通过该语言的专用翻译电话号码与我们联系。普通话：844-447-1269

BOSNIAN
Ako želite da podnesete prijedlog ili prezentaciju na drugom jeziku, kontaktirajte nas putem namjenskog broja telefona za prijevod na taj jezik.  Bosanski: 844-447-1270

SOMALI
Haddii aad jeclaan lahayd inaad soo gudbiso soo jeedin ama bandhig luqad kale, fadlan nagala soo xiriir lambarka taleefanka ee u heellan turjumaadda luqaddaas.  Soomaali: 844-447-1262