2020 Theme: Advancing the Health and Safety of our Nation
NOTE: The Symposium was postponed until 2022. If you were approved to present in 2020, we are currently exploring possible options for rolling presentations forward to 2021. Once the committee has decided on next steps you will be notified. Thank you for your patience as we work through this.
We will update the information below for 2021 as the details are developed.
We will update the information below for 2021 as the details are developed.
Overview of Theme
The theme for the 2020 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium "Advancing the Health and Safety of our Nation" highlights a key aspect of the mission of the U.S. Public Health Service – advancing the health and safety of our nation. One of the many strengths of our service is the vast range of knowledge, skills, and capabilities USPHS Commissioned Corps officers possess and apply to protect and advance public health and safety. This year’s Symposium theme seeks to enhance visibility and awareness of the varied ways PHS officers contribute toward achieving this piece of our mission in our daily work and through partnerships with local, state, tribal, federal, international, and non-governmental organizations among others. Our greatest strength is our officers: dedicated professionals who work in diverse but complementary fields such as disease control and prevention; emergency response; health research; environmental health; health education; regulation of food, drugs, and medical devices; mental health and substance abuse; health care delivery; and global health security – all with the common goal of optimizing the health of our nation and the world.
Pre-Conference Sessions
Details for 2021 activities will be posted as they become available.
Scientific Track Oral Presentations
If you were accepted to present for the 2020 Track sessions, we are currently exploring possible options for rolling presentations forward to 2021. Once the committee has decided on next steps you will be notified. Thank you for your patience as we work through this.
The Symposium’s Scientific Track Sessions focus on the measurable impacts achieved by USPHS Commissioned Corps officers and our public health partners and how these efforts advance the health and safety of our nation. Abstract submissions of original research, education, practice, policy changes, program evaluation, or case studies related to the theme are welcome.
The scientific track sessions of the COF Symposium are distinct in that selected presentations must demonstrate adherence to scientific methodology. While any topic relevant to the Symposium theme is welcome, all submitted abstracts must include a background section, structured methodology, and include clear results (or lessons learned), and conclusions or recommendations with for future policy, programs, clinical practice, or research. Abstracts will be scored lower if any of these key components is missing or incomplete. For further guidance, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Writing Effective Scientific Abstracts for the USPHS Symposium document.
The scientific track sessions of the COF Symposium are distinct in that selected presentations must demonstrate adherence to scientific methodology. While any topic relevant to the Symposium theme is welcome, all submitted abstracts must include a background section, structured methodology, and include clear results (or lessons learned), and conclusions or recommendations with for future policy, programs, clinical practice, or research. Abstracts will be scored lower if any of these key components is missing or incomplete. For further guidance, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Writing Effective Scientific Abstracts for the USPHS Symposium document.
2020 Call for Abstracts
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How to Write Measurable Objectives
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2020 Scientific Abstract FAQ
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If you have any technical issues or questions about the abstract submission process, please contact: symposium@phscof.org.
Category Day Presentations
The 2021 activity planning committee anticipates offering some category specific activities during 2021. Details will be posted as they become available. If you were accepted to present to present during the 2020 Category Day, please contact your Category Representative to find out how they plan to handle the 2020 agenda postponement.
Poster Presentations
The abstract committee is currently evaluating the possibility of putting out a call for posters to be included in the 2021 activities.
Details will be posted as they become available. To see the call from 2020, please view the file below.
Details will be posted as they become available. To see the call from 2020, please view the file below.
Call for Posters
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If you have any technical issues or questions about the abstract submission process, please contact: symposium@phscof.org.