ACS Surgical Simulation Summit Call for Meeting Content

We are seeking content proposals for sessions, workshops, and other formats. During the submission process, you will be asked to indicate which type of session would best suit your topic, choosing from the list below:

• Panel Session: Plenary room session focusing on a wide range of specific clinical and nonclinical topics that are of interest to the ENTIRE multidisciplinary audience. These topics are covered in lectures by various distinguished members of their field and often allow time for audience participation. This type of session usually lasts 60 minutes.

• Management, Operations, Research, and Education (MORE) Session: Track/forum to address a wide range of topics related to directing and managing a simulation center. While this session is open to anyone, it typically attracts those who are responsible for the administration of simulation-based surgical education. The format could be a panel, an interactive session, or a combination of both. This type of session usually lasts up to 2 hours.

• Workshop: Used to develop the skills of attendees in an interactive, hands-on manner. Tangible takeaways should be offered. Staff will work with you to determine what resources (AV, etc.) are needed for the workshop. This type of session usually lasts up to 2 hours.

• Special Interest Group: Enables attendees sharing a common interest or role to meet informally for facilitated discussion (no formal presentations). The purpose of the SIG is to facilitate networking opportunities of attendees who would like to discuss in greater depth a specific topic or topics relevant to their role at their AEI. SIGs may be formed based on role (for example, Educators) or they may be formed based on topic (for example, Funding Strategies). Regardless, the SIG should be conducive to discussion and shared insight. SIGs are not workshops or tutorials. This type of session can last anywhere from 60 minutes up to 2 hours.

The Annual ACS Surgical Simulation Summit draws a multidisciplinary audience comprised of clinical (surgeons, physicians, fellows, residents, medical students ) and non-clinical (directors, administrators, educators, researchers, engineers, sim techs) staff and leadership from all types of institutions (academic medical centers, hospitals, military, etc.).

To ensure presentations are of the highest quality and are applicable to a broad audience, proposals should focus on:

• Relevance: Focus on timely and trending topics that will resonate with individuals responsible for the delivery of simulation-based surgical education and training.

• Experience: Share your institution’s specific approaches to improving education, processes, efficiencies, or outcomes. Highlight challenges faced, strategies employed, and lessons learned. Showcase how you achieved impactful results.

• Practical Application: Prioritize practical takeaways that audience members can adapt for their own institutions.

We welcome proposals on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• 3D Printing
• Assessment Tools
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
• Cadaveric, Animal and Synthetic Tissue
• Collaborations with other Institutes
• Cognitive Skill Development
• Curriculum Development
• Design Thinking to Enhance Surgical Simulation
• Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA’s)
• Ethical Considerations in Simulation
• Faculty Development
• Funding Strategies for Simulation Centers
• Gamification
• Hybrid Simulation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Interprofessional Simulation
• Low-Cost Simulation
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Tele-simulation and Remote Training
• Patient Safety and Clinical Outcomes
• Program Evaluations
• Robotic Simulation
• Standardized Patients
• Team Wellness
• Validation of Evaluation Tools
• Value Proposition of Simulation

• All speakers must be available to present in-person at any time during the meeting on March 12–13, 2026.
• Once accepted sessions are confirmed, all speakers will receive an official confirmation e-mail and must complete an online agreement to be confirmed for the session.
• All speakers must register in advance for the meeting and pay the applicable registration fee.  
• Speakers will not receive any royalties, honoraria, reimbursement of expenses, or other compensation from ACS in connection with the meeting.
• Proposals submitted by a marketing representative or company will automatically be disqualified.