Education, Inspiration, and Connection Await at SMA’s 2026 Annual Scientific Assembly
The 2026 Southern Medical Association Annual Scientific Assembly will bring physicians, healthcare professionals, residents, fellows, and medical students together in Houston for an optional preconference CME POCUS Bootcamp on November 5, followed by two days of accredited education, collaboration, and connection November 6–7 at the TMC³ Collaborative Building in Helix Park. Exclusive member rates are available, along with special joining-member rates that include Assembly registration and one full year of SMA membership.
Begin the Journey With Astronaut Cady Coleman
The Assembly will open Friday morning with former NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, PhD, presenting “Mental & Physical Lessons Learned from Long Endurance Space Flight.”
Drawing upon her remarkable experiences beyond Earth, Coleman will share unforgettable lessons in resilience, teamwork, leadership, and peak performance—and demonstrate how they can be applied to medicine and life here at home.
Friday morning will also feature the Moreton Lecture, one of SMA’s most meaningful and longstanding Assembly traditions.
Discover the Power of Multidisciplinary Care
John Elfar, MD, will lead two sessions exploring the collaboration and innovation transforming sports medicine.
“Stronger Together: The Multidisciplinary Model in Sports Medicine” will examine how a coordinated, team-based approach can elevate care and improve outcomes. He will then explore the evolving science of regenerative medicine during “From Injury to Innovation: The Science of Tissue Repair,” highlighting advances that are redefining recovery after injury.
These sessions reflect one of the central themes running throughout the Assembly: better care happens when professionals bring their expertise together.
Turn Ultrasound Images Into Clinical Action
Friday afternoon will include two practical sessions examining how ultrasound can support more timely, precise clinical decision-making.
John Fowler Jr., MD, will discuss the use of office-based ultrasound in diagnosis, therapy, and treatment guidance. John Cianca, MD, will then move “From Image to Impact,” sharing practical approaches to ultrasound-guided diagnosis and therapy that can enhance precision and improve patient care.
Attendees who want to expand their ultrasound skills even further may also register for the optional 6-hour Point-of-Care Ultrasound Bootcamp on Thursday, November 5. Through focused instruction, hands-on scanning, and procedural applications, participants will gain practical experience with lung, cardiac, renal and bladder, and musculoskeletal ultrasound, as well as ultrasound-guided procedures.
Space for the Bootcamp is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Explore Musculoskeletal Care From Head to Toe
One of Friday’s program highlights will be “From Head to Toe: A Joint-by-Joint Expert Panel,” a fast-paced, two-hour exploration of today’s most pressing musculoskeletal challenges.
Leading specialists will address the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, knee, foot and ankle, and back while sharing practical clinical pearls that attendees can apply in their own practice. Panelists include Phillip Williams, MD; Adil Ahmed, MD; David Netscher, MD; Bruce Moseley, MD; Bill Granberry, MD; and Nicholas Stetkevich, DO, MPH.
James Wagner, OTD, will close Friday’s educational program with “Going for Gold: Safely Returning Older Adults to Mobility and Fitness.” Attendees will learn evidence-based strategies for helping older adults restore mobility, build strength, reduce risk, and maintain lifelong activity.
Learn From Five Decades of Caring for Elite Athletes
Saturday will begin with renowned neurosurgeon and sports medicine physician Joseph Maroon, MD, presenting “Spine and Brain Injuries in Sports: Past, Present and Future—Serendipity and Kaizen.”
Dr. Maroon will draw upon five decades of caring for elite athletes to examine the evolution of sports medicine, advances in brain and spine injury assessment, and emerging innovations that continue to move the field forward.
Hear Fresh Ideas From Medicine’s Rising Voices
The Assembly is also proud to provide a platform for the next generation of medical leaders.
On Saturday morning, the top 16 presenters selected through SMA’s Virtual Abstract Competition will share their research with attendees. These presentations offer an opportunity to hear new ideas, explore emerging areas of investigation, and support outstanding medical students, residents, and fellows as they contribute to the future of medicine.
Approach Musculoskeletal Care With the Whole Patient in Mind
David Ring, MD, PhD, will present “Helping Athletes Navigate Musculoskeletal Disorders,” offering expert guidance on safe, ethical, and patient-centered care.
The session will examine the complexities of caring for athletes while addressing medications and injectable treatments as part of a broader, more comprehensive approach. Attendees will gain practical insights into helping patients make informed decisions that support their health, function, and individual goals.
Strengthen Personal and Professional Well-Being
Sports psychologist and former Olympic athlete Lennie Waite, PhD, will explore how strategies used in athletics can translate to medicine during “Translating Sports Psychology to Mental Wellbeing of Exercise and Making a Successful Practice.”
Her session will provide practical insights into resilience, performance, mental well-being, and the development of a successful, sustainable medical career.
Examine the Science Behind Exercise Therapy
Saturday afternoon’s “Prescribing Movement: The Science Behind Exercise Therapy” panel will explore how physical activity can be used to improve health across multiple areas of care.
Madhuri Vasudevan, MD, MPH, will discuss effective weight-loss strategies; Ruchi Gaba, MD, will examine the effects of exercise on diabetes management, calcium metabolism, and bone health; Roberta Anding, MS, RD, will address sports and nutritional supplements; and Scott Sherron, MD, will discuss the cardiovascular benefits of exercise.
Together, the panelists will provide the evidence behind exercise therapy and practical guidance for helping patients incorporate movement into healthier lives.
Chart a Meaningful Career in Medicine
The educational program will conclude with “Charting Your Course: Career Development for IMGs and U.S. Physicians.”
This dynamic panel will examine pathways in academic medicine, private practice, multispecialty and nontraditional careers, rural health, and public-sector practice. Panelists David Netscher, MD; Azita Madjidi, MD; Anand Mohan, MD, MBA; Philip Hartman, MD; and Omar Atassi, MD, will share insights to help physicians navigate career decisions and build meaningful professional lives.
Designed to serve both international medical graduates and U.S. physicians, the discussion will reinforce an important message: building a successful and fulfilling career in medicine truly takes a team.
Preview the Assembly on YouTube
Want a closer look at what awaits you in Houston? Visit SMA’s Assembly and Assembly Highlights YouTube playlists to hear directly from featured speakers and preview the ideas, innovations, and practical insights they will bring to this year’s program.
The video conversations explore topics such as leadership and resilience, caring for elite athletes, concussion assessment, musculoskeletal ultrasound, multidisciplinary collaboration, drug repurposing, tissue repair, and physician well-being.
Connect and Celebrate in Houston
The Assembly experience continues beyond the educational sessions.
On Friday evening, members and guests will gather at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros, for a special Members Reception featuring food, drinks, live music, and plenty of time to reconnect with colleagues and form new relationships. Transportation will be provided from the Blossom Hotel Houston.
On Saturday evening, the Assembly will conclude with the SMA Annual Dinner and Member Recognition at the Blossom Hotel. This year’s theme, “Houston Nights: Celebrating Our Members, Our Mission, Our Momentum,” reflects an evening dedicated to recognizing excellence, celebrating the SMA community, and honoring the shared mission that connects its members. Food, drinks, and live music are included.
Make Plans to Join Us
Whether you have attended the Annual Scientific Assembly for years or this will be your first, you will find outstanding education, practical strategies, meaningful conversations, and a welcoming professional community waiting for you in Houston.
Come for the education. Stay for the connections, celebration, and inspiration.
Join us in November at the TMC³ Collaborative Building in Houston.
Explore the program, watch speaker previews, and register today!
