In August, 70 medical students and residents submitted their abstracts for SMA’s 2nd Annual Virtual Abstract Competition (VAC), showcasing diverse research across medical fields. The top 20 submissions were invited to present live at SMA’s recent Annual Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia, where the top 3 oral presenters and the top 3 poster presenters received monetary awards.

Congratulations to this year's winners!

Oral Abstract Winners

First Place
Simranjit Kaur, MS
University of Mississippi Medical Center
“Reduced Utero-Placental Perfusion And Acute Seizure Exposure Induce Modest Learning Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease Markers, And Reduced Cerebrovascular Perfusion In Mice At 2 Months Postpartum”

Second Place
Garrett Hawkins, BS
UAB Heersink School of Medicine
“Postoperative Complications Following Internal Fixation Of Periprosthetic
Tibia Fractures With Plating, Nailing, Or Revision Tka”

Third Place
Shivani Jain, MS
Louisiana State Univ Health Sciences
“Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) In The United States Of America: A Systematic Review”

Poster Abstract Winners

First Place
Isaac Hembree, BS
UTHS College of Medicine
“Association Of A1at Heterozygotes With Pulmonary Fibrosis And Mortality”

Second Place
Madeline Bald, BS
UAB Heersink School of Medicine
“Predictive Value Of Intraoperative Pulmonary Function Tests For Postoperative Pulmonary Complications In Abdominal Wall Reconstruction”

Third Place
Shuva Shah, MD
Advent Health Orlando
“Heart Failure Gdmt Initiation And Optimization In Internal Medicine Residency Clinic”

This year, a total of $9,000 was awarded to the abstract winners, thanks to the generous contributions to SMA’s Research and Education Endowment Fund.

“Witnessing the outstanding research being conducted by these talented medical students and residents is always inspiring,” said SMA Executive Director Randy Glick. “Their professionalism, preparation, and deep understanding of their topics were evident in every presentation, and their contributions played a significant role in making our Assembly a success.”

SMA extends its gratitude to all the physicians-in-training who submitted and presented their abstracts, recognizing their dedication to advancing the future of medicine. We also thank the medical schools and residency programs that supported their participation and helped make this event possible.