UT San Antonio

Call for abstracts

12th Annual Health Care Institute
April 15–16, 2027

We invite podium and poster abstracts addressing the experiences, needs, and care of vulnerable, underserved, and often overlooked populations. This year’s theme, From Awareness to Action: Recognizing the Needs and Care of Populations Less Seen and Less Heard, brings attention to the voices, experiences, and health needs of populations facing unique health and social challenges.  Topics may include, but are not limited to justice-involved individuals, those experiencing mental health challenges, postpartum depression or psychosis, women’s healthcare disparities, migrant populations, rural and underserved communities, people experiencing homelessness/housing instability, older adults, caregivers, trafficked individuals, at-risk youth, and students facing mental health, coping, and resilience challenges.

Topic List (may include, but are not limited to):

  • Justice-involved individuals
  • Individuals experiencing mental health challenges
  • Women experiencing postpartum depression or psychosis
  • Women experiencing healthcare disparities
  • Migrant populations, including documented and undocumented individuals
  • Rural and underserved communities
  • People experiencing homelessness or housing instability
  • Older adults
  • Caregivers
  • Individuals affected by human trafficking
  • At-risk youth
  • Students experiencing mental health, coping, and resilience challenges

Submissions should highlight actionable approaches such as healthcare innovation, healthcare policy, advocacy, community-based initiatives, education, or other strategies designed to improve access, health outcomes, and quality of care.

Abstract Deadlines:

  • Podium abstract submission deadline: February 2, 2027
    • Podium acceptance notification: No later than February 15, 2027
    • Podium presenter registration deadline: February 22, 2027
  • Poster abstract submission deadline: March 2, 2027
    • Poster will be accepted on an ongoing basis
    • Poster presenter registration deadline: March 9, 2027

All accepted podium and poster presenters who register by their respective presenter registration deadline will receive the Early Registration Rate.

Podium Presentation Format

  • Podium presentations will be 20 or 30 minutes, including time for questions and answers. Presentation length will be determined by the abstract reviewers.
  • Confirmation of abstract receipt will be emailed only to the first-listed author. Please allow a few business days for confirmation.

Poster Presentation

  • Poster presentation date and time will be announced.
  • Authors must be present at their posters during the designated poster session.
  • Confirmation of abstract receipt will be emailed only to the first-listed author. Please allow a few business days for confirmation.

Poster Competition
All presented posters will automatically be entered in the poster competition. Posters will be judged on submission criteria, poster format, and the presenter’s verbal presentation.

Professional & Student Poster Awards

Awards will be presented to the top three rated professional posters and the top three rated posters. Important: the first-listed author must be present during the conference wrap-up to be eligible to receive an award.

Podium and Poster Presenter Requirements

All accepted podium and poster presenters must: Register and pay for the full two-day conference, April 15–16, 2027. Attend conference sessions.  Cover their own travel, lodging, and other conference-related expenses.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

  1. Before submitting an abstract, all listed authors must complete the UT San Antonio DLL Financial Relationships Information.
  2. Follow the required format below. There is no specific word count; however, abstracts must be limited to one page (to include title and author information).
  3. All accepted podium and poster presenters must register, pay the conference registration fee, and cover their own travel, lodging, and related expenses.
  4. Submit the abstract as a Microsoft Word attachment only. Do not submit a PDF.
  5. Email the abstract to Cindy Gutierrez at gutierrezc8@uthscsa.edu.
  6. Attach the presenting author’s CV to the submission email.

Required Abstract Format

  1. Recommended to use Times New Roman font.
  2. Abstract title (do not use all capital letters).
  3. Presenting author’s name, credentials, title, organization, email address, and phone number.
  4. Additional authors’ names, credentials, titles, and organizations.
  5. Indicate whether the submission is for a Poster or Podium Presentation.
  6. Indicate whether the presenting author is submitting for the Student or Professional category.

Required Abstract Content (abstract must include in this order):

  1. Problem/Purpose relevant to the conference theme or objective.
  2. Background.
  3. Discussion of the issue, concepts, or variables of interest. Population, sample, and setting for research submissions and/or description of the community resource, as applicable.
  4. Methods for research or interventions for practice/teaching submissions.
  5. Findings, conclusions, and implications
  6. References — REQUIRED