CALL FOR WORKSHOPS

The COMET Collaborative 2026 Conference invites students, trainees, faculty, and community partners to share their expertise through interactive workshops designed to build skills, foster collaboration, and strengthen the health workforce serving underserved communities across California and Oregon.

This conference brings together learners and faculty from UC Davis, Oregon Health & Science University, and more than 30 residency programs, along with regional partners and community organizations. Workshops are an opportunity to share practical tools, innovative approaches, and lessons learned while engaging participants in meaningful dialogue and collaborative learning.

We welcome proposals from medical students, residents, faculty, administrators, and community partners who are passionate about advancing health equity and workforce development.

SUBMIT WORKSHOP PROPOSAL

WORKSHOP

FORMAT:

Workshops are 50 minutes in length and should prioritize interactive learning rather than lecture-based presentations.

Successful workshops should include elements such as:

```
Small group discussions
```
```
Case-based learning
```
```
Hands-on skills practice
```
```
Breakout activities
```

Audience participation or reflection exercises

The goal is to create sessions where participants actively engage with new ideas and leave with practical strategies they can apply in their own programs, training, or communities.

WORKSHOP TRACKS

To support the diverse audience at the COMET Conference, workshop proposals should indicate their primary target audience.

Sessions will be organized into thematic tracks:

Workshops designed for undergraduate or pre-medical students, often facilitated by medical students or trainees. Topics may include mentorship, navigating pathways to medicine, leadership development, and building skills for community engagement.
Interactive sessions designed for medical students, residents, and fellows that provide hands-on or practical training. Examples may include clinical skills (injections, POCUS, more!), leadership development, advocacy training, or strategies for serving underserved communities.
Workshops focused on faculty, educators, and program leaders interested in strengthening training programs, developing innovative curricula, supporting trainee success, or building sustainable community partnerships.

Example Workshop Topics

Proposals are encouraged across a wide range of topics aligned with the conference theme. Examples include (but are not limited to):

Mitigating implicit bias in medical education and clinical practice

Resilience and wellbeing in training and practice

Building authentic community–academic partnerships

```
Advocacy and health policy engagement
```

Navigating difficult conversations with patients, families, or colleagues

Leadership and project management for trainees

Designing innovative training programs or electives

Strategies for mentoring and supporting trainees from underrepresented backgrounds

Procedural or clinical skills training (e.g., POCUS, joint injections, dermatologic procedures)

Developing sustainable programs that improve care for underserved communities

Proposal Guidelines

Workshop proposals should clearly describe:

```
Learning objectives for participants
```
```
The intended target audience/track
```

Interactive components or participant activities

Practical takeaways participants can apply in their own settings

Workshops will be 50 minutes in length.

If a proposal is selected for presentation:

All presenters must confirm participation by July 10, 2026.

Presentation materials must be submitted by September 4, 2026 for accessibility review prior to the conference.