2025 Gold Humanism Summit: The Person in Front of You

2026 Summit Call for Abstracts

Apply to present at the 2026 Gold Humanism Summit: The Person in Front of You, taking place September 16-20, 2026, in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Summit will convene members of the healthcare community to share best practices, strategies, and tools that are intended to improve healthcare for patients, communities, and caregivers alike, creating healthcare that is safe, trusting, and kind.

Participants will include practicing clinicians, faculty, students, and trainees from across the healthcare professions, as well as patients, families, and community members.

Primary Aims

The three primary aims of the Summit are to:

  1. promote educational initiatives
  2. share evidence-informed practical solutions, and
  3. build community among those who are enacting change in this realm.

In addition to falling under one of the above categories, content will reflect a selection of relevant areas, including artificial intelligence; connection; communication; equity and inclusion; humanities; interprofessional teamwork; mentorship; research; trust; wellbeing; and service-learning programs.

Find descriptions of the Summit categories and areas of relevance here.

Presentation Formats

Presentations will be featured as lecture-style talks, panels, workshops, posters, and roundtable discussions, each of which will offer practical solutions that reflect a humanistic approach to healthcare – defined as safe, kind, and engendering trust – and that directly impact the way that patient care is delivered. The intention is for Summit attendees to leave the event with practical action steps to take back with them.

Sessions are expected to be highly engaging and interactive.

Submissions will be accepted for the following general formats:

  • 45-minute lecture-style presentation, including Q&A
  • 45-minute panel presentation, including Q&A
  • 45-minute workshop, with additional requirements for the abstract
  • Poster presentation
  • GHHS Day presentations*

*Presentations made during the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) Day are to be delivered by GHHS members only.

Presentation Themes

We are seeking presentations on projects, programs, research, and initiatives in healthcare that demonstrate action-oriented approaches related to the following Summit categories and areas of relevance. Read a description of each on the 2025 Summit Themes page.

CATEGORIES

  • Education
  • Evidence-informed practical solutions
  • Community building

AREAS OF RELEVANCE

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Connection
  • Communication
  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Humanities
  • Interprofessional teamwork
  • Mentorship
  • Research
  • Service-learning programs
  • Trust
  • Wellbeing

How to Submit

To apply to present at the 2026 Gold Humanism Summit: The Person in Front of You, taking place September 16–20, 2026, in Pittsburgh, PA, all prospective presenters must complete the official submission form.

As part of the submission process, you will be asked to:

  • Select the most appropriate presentation format for your proposal
  • Identify which Summit category and area(s) of relevance your content aligns with
  • Provide a clear and concise abstract that outlines your topic, objectives, and intended outcomes

Please note: while you may indicate your preferred format, the Summit committee may follow up with clarifying questions and will make the final determination on accepted presentation formats.

All submissions must reflect the Summit’s core values of humanistic healthcare—defined as safe, kind, and engendering trust—and should offer practical, action-oriented solutions that attendees can apply in their own settings.

We encourage submissions that are:

  • Interactive and engaging
  • Grounded in evidence or experience
  • Inclusive of diverse perspectives across the healthcare continuum

If you have questions about the submission process or need guidance on selecting a format, feel free to reach out to the Summit planning team.