Call for Abstracts: Third Annual Hippocratic Society Conference

Submissions are due by 11:59 pm ET on January 15. Jump to the submission form.

Conference Theme

The theme of this year's conference is Humility. Humility is the virtue that makes it possible to see things as they truly are, to see ourselves as we truly are. Humility's sister virtues, Sincerity and Modesty, pave the way for a deep self-examination regarding our strengths, our weaknesses, our failures and successes. Humility, too, brings about true Courage and Magnanimity: when we see our limitations clearly and the challenges we face, we are more capable and willing to step out of our comfort zone and push ourselves to greater heights.

Humility is a particularly timely virtue for medicine today. AI is changing what we thought possible in clinical care. Many are reexamining the role of the physician and the physician's expertise in medicine. The physician-patient relationship, perhaps more than ever, is at risk of dissolving under the advancements of virtual, personalized technology. Ethical questions abound in this transformative time, as we discover anew the core identity of the physician.

In this light, we are seeking abstracts that explore the virtue of humility in medical practice and training. We hope to dialogue around questions such as:

What is the role of humility in the physician-patient relationship?
How can magnanimity, a virtue closely related to humility, be practiced for our patients and our profession as a whole?
What does it mean to profess medicine amidst uncertainty of medicine's future?
To what extent can humility shape our approach to evolving technologies and interventions?
What does humility look like in mentorships, friendships, and community within medicine?
Where is the place for humility in a field where self-promotion is lauded and perhaps even necessary?
In a pluralistic society, how do we practice humility in disagreements that touch upon fundamental beliefs?

We invite you to reflect on these questions among others as well as the themes that are foundational to the Hippocratic Society:

The nature of the physician-patient relationship
Moral formation in medical training and practice
Dialogue regarding what it means to practice good medicine
The medical profession as a moral community
Virtue's role in practice, study, and care of patients

We also welcome narrative accounts from clinicians or patients, reflections on teaching virtue or ethics, educational innovations related to formation, research on flourishing, burnout, moral injury, or medical culture, and experiences from Hippocratic Fora, Symposia, or chapter activities.

Who May Submit

We welcome abstracts from physicians, faculty, residents, fellows, and students, as well as other health professionals and scholars whose work engages the virtue of humility or the mission of the Hippocratic Society.

Presentation Formats

Paper Presentations: 25- or 35-minute oral presentations, including Q&A. Papers may present research (qualitative, theoretical, or educational) or an essay (a philosophical or ethical exploration, or a reflective or narrative-based piece).
Panel Presentations: 75-minute sessions, including Q&A, with 3–4 presenters and a moderator addressing a shared question from different perspectives. Panels must be proposed as a complete group, with one abstract for the session and a brief description of each presenter's contribution.
Workshops: 75-minute interactive sessions, including Q&A, such as case discussions, guided reflection, or virtue-related skill development. Workshops should involve significant participant interaction and be planned for participants seated at banquet-style round tables. Submissions must include a session agenda.
Poster Presentations: Visual presentations of any content type, including research, essays, narrative reflections, or educational initiatives. Posters will be presented during a dedicated 75-minute poster session.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts are limited to 300 words and must include three learning objectives.
Only two submissions per person will be accepted as presenting author.
Submissions must be original work not previously presented or published.
Review is blinded. Please do not include names, institutions, or other identifying details in the abstract, title, or learning objectives.
AI tools may not be used to directly generate any content of the submission.
Submitters will be asked whether they are willing to be considered for a format other than the one requested.
If accepted, at least one presenter must register for and attend the conference in person.
Accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings.

Deadline

All submissions are due by 11:59 pm ET on January 15. Submissions will be reviewed by our Conference Planning Committee, and decisions will be returned by January 31.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.