JUNE 9, 2021 — The San Antonio Military Health System, comprising the 59th Medical Wing and Brooke Army Medical Center, alongside UTSA and UT Health San Antonio, are hosting the seventh annual SAMHS and Universities Research Forum (SURF) on June 10, highlighting the latest research and discoveries of trainees, faculty, staff and students working to improve health outcomes and readiness of the military community.
“As society shifts back to pre-pandemic norms, SURF returns as military health, readiness and wellness are still critical and vital components of this country’s national security portfolio particularly in these heightened times,” said Bernard Arulanandam, vice president for research, economic development, and knowledge enterprise at UTSA. “This is a forum where we can discuss and examine fast-evolving research priorities and needs for those who benefit from our discoveries.”
The 2021 event, where academia, military and industry intersect, will be held virtually via Expo Pass and will include podium poster presentations, symposia and panel discussions with over 127 abstracts submitted and 105 accepted. Last year’s event broke a record with more than 800 registrants. Once again, all who registered will be accommodated due to the virtual platform.
Special keynotes will be given by Heather Hanson, president of BioMedSA; Mark G. Kortepeter, retired U.S. Army colonel and vice president for research at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; and Larry S. Schlesinger, president and CEO of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with exhibitors including Bihl Haus Arts, the Geneva Foundation, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, the Metis Foundation, UTSA Brain Health Consortium, UTSA Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, UTSA Center for Community Based and Applied Health Research, UTSA Institute for Health Disparities Research, UTSA Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Velocity TX.
This year, the research themes reflect the pressing needs of the military community. They include:
Continuing education credits will be available for attendees who qualify. Registration is free and is required to log in to the virtual conference. A closing live announcement will name and celebrate the 2021 poster presentation winners.
The organizing committee wishes to thank the institutional leadership for their continued support: Arulanandam of UTSA; Byron C. Hepburn, associate vice president and director of the Military Health Institute at UT Health San Antonio; Debra M. Niemeyer, chief scientist of the 59th Medical Wing; Jeannine M. Ryder, brigadier general and commander of the 59th Medical Wing; and Michael D. Wirt, colonel and acting commander of Brooke Army Medical Center.
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