CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The COMET Collaborative invites students, residents, fellows, faculty, and community partners within the COMET collaborative to submit abstracts for poster presentations at the 2026 COMET Conference. This year’s theme, Power in Partnership, highlights the importance of shared leadership, community voice, and cross-sector collaboration in advancing health equity and strengthening the health workforce.

The conference brings together learners and faculty from UC Davis, Oregon Health & Science University, and more than 30 residency programs across California and Oregon, along with community organizations and regional partners. It offers a unique opportunity to share innovative work, exchange ideas, and build relationships with colleagues committed to improving health outcomes for underserved communities.

We encourage submissions that reflect collaboration, community engagement, and innovative approaches to advancing equity in health professions education, clinical care, and community partnership. Poster sessions are designed to foster conversation, networking, and shared learning among conference participants.

SUBMIT ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT CATEGORIES:

Abstracts should fall within one or more of the following categories:

Authors should select the category that best reflects the primary focus of their work.

  • Projects that demonstrate collaboration between academic institutions and community organizations to improve health outcomes or training experiences. Examples may include co-designed programs, community-led initiatives, or models for sustainable partnership.

  • Initiatives that elevate the role of students, residents, and fellows as leaders and change agents in advancing health equity. This category includes mentorship models, pathway programs, leadership development, and innovative approaches to supporting trainees from underrepresented communities.

  • Educational programs, curricula, or training models that prepare the health workforce to better serve underserved communities. Examples include new teaching methods, interprofessional education, experiential learning models, and curriculum redesign.

  • Original research examining health disparities, health systems, workforce development, or interventions aimed at improving outcomes for marginalized or underserved populations

  • Work that examines policy solutions, advocacy efforts, or systems-level interventions that impact health equity, workforce development, or access to care.

  • Programs or partnerships that demonstrate successful cross-sector collaboration among academic institutions, clinical systems, community organizations, and policymakers.

Innovation Showcase

Authors submitting an abstract may opt in to be considered for the COMET Innovation Showcase. Four to five selected presenters will be invited to deliver 5-minute oral presentations highlighting their selected project. Opting into the Innovation Showcase does not affect the likelihood of poster acceptance, and all authors are encouraged to take advantage of this additional opportunity.

Proposal Guidelines

Abstracts and posters may include works in progress or incomplete research, provided that the submission clearly describes the project goals, methods, and anticipated impact. The COMET Conference aims to create a supportive and collaborative environment where presenters can share emerging ideas, receive feedback, and strengthen their work.

Additional guidelines include:

· Posters should indicate a primary presenter and all contributors must be listed in the abstract submission.
· A maximum of two posters may be accepted for any single primary presenter.
· There is no limit on the number of total submissions.
Poster formatting and size guidelines will be provided to accepted presenters after confirmation of participation.

For questions regarding abstract submission, poster presentations, or the Innovation Showcase, please contact comet@health.ucdavis.edu.

We look forward to learning about your work and celebrating the power of partnership in advancing health equity at the COMET Collaborative 2026 Conference.