The Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education (CIPE) and Research. Innovation. Scholarship. Education. (RISE) are excited to announce the reimagined HPE Day as HPE Connect on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 7:30 am – 1:00 pm, at the Michigan League in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Health Professions Education (HPE) Day was a signature event at the University of Michigan, fostering scholarship, collaboration, and innovation in health professions education and interprofessional practice among faculty, staff, and learners across our three campuses. Originating in 2015 as an evolution of the Medical School’s Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS) “Medical Education Day,” HPE Day became a vital platform for connecting health professionals and health science communities university-wide. We are delighted that DLHS will continue as a key supporter of this reinvention.
HPE Connect ‘26 will bring together faculty, staff, and learners from the University of Michigan’s three campuses—Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint—and Michigan Medicine to collaborate, network, exchange ideas, and showcase innovative and scholarly work in health sciences education. Our vision for HPE Connect ’26 is ambitious and forward-thinking. We aim to continue amplifying the voices of our community, highlighting groundbreaking work in health professions and interprofessional education, and deepening connections between academic and clinical spaces.
We invite submissions that highlight a range of work advancing health sciences education, from completed projects to initiatives still in progress or in development. We welcome submissions from faculty, staff, learners, and community partners across BOTH a single discipline or profession and from multiple disciplines and professions.
Call For Submissions
Three Reasons to Submit an Abstract for HPE Connect 2026:
- Contribute to igniting innovation in health professions education by sharing and discovering cutting-edge teaching strategies and interprofessional practices that drive meaningful improvements in learning and health outcomes.
- Showcase your scholarly work to an engaged academic community, connecting with university, health system, and community health partners to amplify the reach and impact of your research and educational practices.
- Build and strengthen collaborative networks across disciplines, campuses, and professions, fostering dynamic partnerships that shape the future of health sciences education and teamwork.
Submission Details:
All submissions will be considered for poster presentations. Accepted abstracts will be considered for other interactive formats, including demonstrations and short talks.If you are selected for one of the alternative interactive formats, the HPE Connect organizers will reach out to you directly.
All formats are designed to promote interactive discussion and collaboration. We encourage presenters and attendees to share ideas, engage in dialogue, and connect with colleagues in ways that spark conversation and support the development, scaling, and application of innovative education efforts. We strongly encourage poster presenters to use interactive poster designs.
Submission Requirements:
- Abstract Length and Format: 300 words maximum excluding title and references, formatted as a single paragraph without tables, figures, or images.
- Abstract Structure: Submissions should include the following:
- Title – Concise and descriptive (not included in the word count)
- Authors - List authors with their full name and department (not included in the word count)
- Background/Context – Briefly describe the problem, issue, or opportunity being addressed.
- Purpose/Objectives – State the primary aim(s) of the project.
- Methods/Approach – Summarize the design, framework, or strategies used.
- Results/Progress to Date – For completed work, summarize key findings. For works in progress, describe progress and anticipated next steps.
- Implications/Significance – Highlight the relevance to health sciences education and potential impact.
- Call to Action/Next Steps – Outline a SINGLE question for taking next steps or elicits suggestions for further engagement or application.
Accepted abstracts are also eligible for consideration for the RISE Prize for education innovation—$1,500 to support the continued development of their innovation and periodic meetings with the RISE Core Team for advice and guidance. We define “education innovation” broadly: new ideas in teaching and learning that lead to changes in practice and health outcomes. This award is based on the submitted abstract and will be given at HPE Connect ‘26, recognizing an education innovation that has (1) transformed educational practices, and was (2) successfully scaled beyond initial pilots, and (3) led to demonstrable improvements in learning or health outcomes. We encourage those interested in being considered for the RISE Prize to ensure that as many of these key elements are clearly articulated in their abstract.The abstract receiving the highest combined score across all three domains will be selected for the RISE Prize. Click here to learn more.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 1, 2026, 11:59 PM
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT
HPE Connect ‘26 Registration Opens February 2, 2026. Please contact healthedconference@umich.edu with any questions.