Events
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PAMA CONFERENCE
The Sixth USF Performing Arts Medicine Conference focuses on making meaningful connections between artistic practice and scholarly research. The USF-PAMC is affiliated with the International PAMA, drawing national and international participants. The conference program features two main networking events: a Friday Welcome Reception with Dean Chris Garvin and a Sunday Luncheon & Panel. The Sun-day Panel provides a forum for VIPs, a distinguished panel, and participants to share their thoughts on how to promote the global agenda for Performing Arts Medicine.
Sixth USF Performing Arts Medicine Conference
Dates: March 27-29, 2026
Venue: USF School of Music Building
Theme: Connecting Practice and Research
Early Registration: January 16, 2026 – February 20, 2026,
Late Registration fee added starting February 21
Target Participants
The conference welcomes performing artists, arts educators, healthcare providers,
health science educators, medical humanities specialists, generalists, young professionals,
and students interested in careers in practice and research intersecting the arts
and health.
Conference Objectives
Participants will learn about:
- How the multidisciplinary fields of performing arts medicine and the artists’ role in society are being shaped and transformed
- A whole-person approach to performing arts education in biological, behavioral, mental, social, and environmental interconnection
- Research, Practice, and Education in performing arts medicine.
- Issues and development in medical humanities
- How members are using arts to Heal People and Society
- The relationship between Occupational Medicine & the Performing Arts
- Inspiring curriculum trajectories and Possibilities in the 21st Century
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
You are invited to submit an abstract within a broad spectrum of performing arts medicine research and practice including Mental & Physical Health, Nutrition, Prevention, Rehabilitation, Occupational Medi-cine, and the Effects of the Arts on culture, society, healing, and medical & performing arts education. Philosophical, Historical, Empirical, Clinical Research, Case studies, Survey-type Studies, and Work-shops and Panels with a focused topic are welcome.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS (250-WORD LIMIT):
Abstracts Must Include:
- Proposal title, a shortened CV and contact information for all authors including address
- Presenter CEU application form with list of objectives checked as applicable to the presentation
- Category proposal falls into (research report, education/clinic report, workshop, or panel)
- Format for proposed presentaion – oral, poster, workshop, or panel presentation
Instructions for Abstract Submission:
- Name your abstract file in the this manner: lastname-firstname-2026.doc/docx
- Please compose your abstract with a clear focus, purpose, method, and any other _-rationale that ties in with the conference theme in the 250-word limit.
- Abstracts must be submitted electronically by 5:00 pm December 1, 2025, to all four program committee members’ email addresses: rbahr@usf.edu, cburns@usf.edu, sspecter@honors.usf.edu, and sajacobs@usf.edu
- Accepted abstract submissions will be notified by December 20, 2025
- All presentation materials & CEU application due by December 27, 2025
The Program Committee will assign accepted abstracts to one of the following categories:
- 20-minute oral presentation plus 5 minutes for Q&A (25 minutes total)
- Poster presentation 6-minute rotating presentation
- 50-minute panel or workshop
- Participants’ acceptance notice for presentation deadline: February 9, 2026
For Questions Regarding Abstract Submission or Conference:
Contact any of the program co-chairs: rbahr@usf.edu, slee@usf.edu, sspecter@honors.usf.edu, cburns@usf.edu, or sajacobs@usf.edu
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ralph A. Manchester, MD is Professor in the Department of Medicine in the University of Rochester School
of Medicine and Dentistry, Vice Provost (retired), and a Fellow in the American College
of Physicians. He received his medical degree from the University of Vermont in 1979
and completed his residency at the University of
Kentucky Medical Center in 1983. Dr. Manchester has an interest in the evaluation
and treatment of medical problems of musicians and served as editor of Medical Problems
of Performing Artists for ten years.
He is Past President of the Performing Arts Medicine Association, the American College Health Association, and the NYS College Health Association.
Dr. Hara Trouli received her MBBS (1986), Orthopedic & Surgical Training (1987-1996), MSc Performing
Arts Medicine (UCL 2012), and Piano Teaching & Performance Diploma (1989). She is
a highly experienced musculoskeletal doctor who has worked extensively with professionals
and student performers. She offers diagnostic assessments and advice for all musculoskeletal
performance-related problems. She is a keen piano player. In 2011, she joined the
first Master’s degree program for Performing Arts Medicine at University College London
and graduated with distinction in 2012. Her MSc Research Thesis focused on the Muscular
Contraction in the Arms of Pianists.
Since 2015 she has been appointed by UCL as Course Lead, developing and running the
Masters, Diploma and Certificate postgraduate studies, as well as organizing the yearly
. She is a clinician for the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine.
Eric Coris, MD, is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at USF and is affiliated with Tampa General Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Coris has expertise in treating arthritis, hypertension & high blood pressure, diabetes, among other conditions. He is also a specialist in Sports Medicine and treats dancers.
Yaël Bensoussan, MD is chief of the laryngology division and assistant professor in Department of Otolaryngology-Head
& Neck Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Under her leadership,
the USF Health Voice Center was established and became the first of its kind on the
west coast of Florida.
Dr. Bensoussan completed medical school at the University of Montreal, surgical residency
training at the University of Toronto and a fellowship in Laryngology at the University
of Southern California. She he has a background in Speech Pathology and a .
Currently, she is co-principal investigator on a NIH-funded grant - Voice as a biomarker
of health, a multi-institutional study across 12 institutions focused on building
a large scale ethically sourced human voice database to help diagnose disease.
SUNDAY BANQUET VIPS
Dr. Sten Vermund, MD has been appointed as the dean of the USF Health College of Public Health effective January 1, 2025. He brings over four decades of experience in infectious disease epidemiology and prevention, having previously served as the dean of the Yale School of Public Health and as the Anna M.R. Lauder Professor of Public Health at Yale University. Dr. Vermund is also the president of the Global Virus Network and has been recognized for his significant contributions to public health education and research.
Dr. Sylvia Thomas, PhD directs many aspects of USF’s research enterprise with a focus on scholarly transformations that support faculty interests, student success, community/partner engagement, and institutional strategic priorities. At USF, she has contributed to efforts for research innovation, strategic planning and renewal, faculty success, campus consolidation, cultural transformation and economic development among underserved communities, and student recruitment and workforce development. Dr. Thomas’ research and teaching endeavors are focused on biomedical, biological, and nano electronic device integration using advanced membrane/material systems to meet global technological challenges for alternative energy sources, sustainable environments, and bio-applications. She holds a dozen patents and has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, proceedings, presentations, and six book chapters.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Friday, March 27
12:30 PM ……….………………….. Conference Registration & Social Time
1:00 PM …………………………… Welcome Address
1:10-3:10 PM ………………………. Session I Presentations & Workshops
3:30-5:30 PM ………………………. Session II Presentations & Workshops
5:30-6:30 PM ………………………. Welcome Reception
Saturday, March 28
8:30-9:00 AM ………………………. Coffee
9:00-12:00 Noon …………………… Session III Presentation & Workshops
12:00-1:30 PM ……………………… Boxed Lunch provided & Poster Session
1:30-4:00 PM .………………………. Session IV Presentations & Workshops
4:00-6:00 PM ............................ Session V Presentations & Workshops
Sunday, March 29
8:30-9:00 AM ……………………...... Coffee
9:00-12:00 Noon …………………… Session VI Presentations & Workshops
12:00-2:00 PM ............................. Banquet & Panel
2:00 PM ....................................... Conference Adjourn
| By February 20 | February 21 - March 26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Professionals (all disciplines) | $200 | $250 |
| Co-Presenters | $150 | $180 |
| Non-USF Student presenter or accompanying professor | $0 | $10 |
| USF Faculty, Staff (all disciplines) | $100 | $150 |
| USF-PAMC Members | $100 | $150 |
| FLO, TBO, Tampa Ballet | $100 | $150 |
| USF ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏ (all disciplines) | $0 | $10 |
ACCREDITATION
There will be an opportunity to submit an Application for Continuing Education Units
for The 2026 Sixth USF-PAMC Conference. You must submit your CEU application, with
objectives listed, an updated CV, and a PDF version your presentation slides, by December
27, 2025.
ABOUT THE USF-PAM COLLABORATIVE
Mission:
To support research, application, education, and professional development in performing
arts medicine.
Goals:
1) To facilitate healthcare and sound pedagogy in performing arts.
2) To support inter-professional research in performing arts medicine.
3) To provide opportunities for exchanging information between performing arts and
healthcare professionals.
2026 CONFERENCE PERSONNEL
Conference Committee:
Sang-Hie Lee, PhD, EdD
Steven Specter, PhD
Candace Burns, PhD, ANP-APRN, FAAOHN
Ruth Bahr, PhD
Santo Nicosia, MD
Sherice Rose, DPT
Marzenna Wiranowska, PhD, MS
Program Committee :
Ruth Bahr, PhD, Chair
Steven Specter, PhD
Candace Burns, PhD, ANP-APRN, FAAOHN
Stephanie Jacobs, MFA, MLIS
CDAP & SOM Support Staff:
Beau Edwardson
Jayce Bertucelli
Amy Fletcher
Nancy Utaegbulam
PLANNING YOUR VISIT...
RECOMMENDED HOTELS & AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
Designated Conference Hotel:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF (on campus)
Conference Rate: $ 219 plus tax per night
Parking $12 per night
Arrival: March 26, Departure: March 30, 2026
(Extra dates can be added at the same rate)
Other Hotel Options:
Residence Inn Tampa USF Medical Center
3.7 mi from USF School of Music
Phone: 813-972-4400
13420 N Telecom Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33647 Corporate Account Code UF4. Discount for Studio
or 1 Bedroom Suite
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa North
4.2 mi from USF School of Music
Phone: 813-342-5000
Hyatt Place Tampa/Busch Gardens
1.6 mi from USF School of Music
Phone:
Airport Transportation:
Walsh Chauffeured Transportation Airport Limo
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