Call for Abstracts: Electronic Student/Resident Poster Competition

Submit Your Abstract

Quick Links: Poster Competition Guidelines | Criteria to Submit Abstracts | Awards & Categories | Original Research Guidelines | Case Report Guidelines 

TOMA's 71st MidWinter Conference will feature a poster competition which will be submitted electronically as a .pdf file. There will be no paper/printed posters on site at the conference. 

Poster Format and Guidelines:

All Posters (including Original Research and Case Report) must be submitted as a PowerPoint slide presentation converted to a PDF.

• Poster headers should include the title of the presentation, authors and their institutional affiliation.
• File size must be 15 MB or less.
• No animations or video should be embedded, please utilize hyperlinks or QR codes.
• All illustrations should be made beforehand. Bear in mind that your graphics may be viewed or read from distances of 3 feet or more on screen. Charts, drawings and illustrations might well be similar to those you will use in making your slides; preferably simple and more heavily drawn.
• Simple use of color can add effective emphasis. 
• Keep illustrative material simple.

• Abstracts will be reviewed and judged prior to the conference. Poster presentations will take place during lunch on Saturday, February 27, with attendees returning to the session room after picking up lunch from the buffet. Winners will be announced during the conference wrap-up at the end of the day.

Abstract Eligibility & Criteria

• The first/primary author must be:
  • An osteopathic medical student attending a COM in Texas, or
  • An osteopathic intern, resident or fellow training in Texas
• The first/primary author must be a current TOMA member.
  • Membership is free for students, interns, residents and fellows.
  • Join TOMA
• Abstracts must be original, unpublished and not duplicate previously submitted work.
• Generic drug names should be used.
• For original research involving human subjects, the abstract must include a statement confirming IRB approval or exemption.
  • Submissions without the required IRB statement will not be accepted.

Preparing Your Abstract

• The abstract title on the application must exactly match the title on the final poster.
• The person submitting the application and presenting the poster must be listed as the first author.
• The highest degree of each author must be included.
• Accepted abstracts must be submitted electronically as a PDF by February 3, 2027.

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: December 3, 2026
• Accepted Abstract PDF Deadline: February 3, 2027

• Original Research: monetary awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
• 1st place: $500
• 2nd place: $250
• 3rd place: $150
• Case Report: monetary awards will be given to
• Top medical student: $100
• Top resident: $100

*Faculty members are not eligible to receive monetary awards. Due to budget limitations, there is no travel or housing allowance.

Original Research Guidelines and Instructions

• Abstract Length: Maximum of 350 words (excluding heading)
• Authors: Maximum of 5
• Poster References: Maximum of 10
• Deadline to Submit Case Report Application: December 3, 2026

Submit Your Original Research

Original Research Must Include:

Title (Max. 100 characters)

• Should facilitate interest in the topic; be short, descriptive and searchable.
• Body of the abstract must include the following and cannot exceed 350 words.

Background and Hypothesis

• Background: In one or two sentences, describe why the topic investigated is important (i.e., novel approach; Does the study fill knowledge gaps?)
• Hypothesis: In one or two sentences, describe the specific question that was addressed in the study or the relationship that was investigated.

Methods

• A summary of the methods used to design and carry out the study.
• State the type of design (i.e., randomized controlled trial, double blinded, survey).
• Include the clinical circumstances (i.e., primary care center, general community).
• Brief description of key subject inclusion/exclusion criteria
• Include the total number of subjects recruited and how many were in each group of the study (i.e., control group, study group).
• Description of any intervention administered (i.e. OMT, medications).
• Brief description of the study’s outcome measures (i.e., symptom scores, measurements).

Results

• Report a brief summary of the main findings in the study. Include explanations of key measurements.
• Include relevant statistical information (i.e., confidence interval, odds ratio, levels of significance such as value). Simple percentages are not sufficient.

Conclusions

• Explain the overall significance of the study that is supported by the results obtained.
• Describe why this case is osteopathically relevant

Acknowledgement of Research Study Sponsors and IRB

• Include an acknowledgment of the study sponsors and any grants received for the study.
• Must include statement that IRB approval was obtained or exempt. Must submit IRB letter with your abstract.

Additional Notes

• References (maximum of 10) should NOT be on the abstract, this should only be included on the poster.
• Photos and graphs should NOT be on the abstract, this should only be on the poster. 

Case Report Guidelines and Instructions

• Abstract Length: Maximum of 350 words (excluding heading)
• Authors: Maximum of 5
• Poster References: Maximum of 10
• Deadline to Submit Case Report Application: December 3, 2026.

Submit Your Case Report

Case Report Abstract Must Include:

Title (Max. 100 Characters)

• Should facilitate interest in the topic and should be searchable.
• Body of the abstract must include the following and cannot exceed 350 words.

Introduction

• Describe whether the case is unique.
• Does the case have an unusual diagnosis or clinical course?
• Describe how the case contributes to scientific knowledge.
• Describe the instructive or teaching points that add value to this case.

Case Summary

• Describe the presenting signs and symptoms and clinical course.
• Is the cause of patient’s illness clear-cut? What are other plausible explanations?
• What investigations were completed to sort out the diagnosis? Include them if important.
• Describe the treatments provided and the rationale.
• Were other therapeutic options considered? Are outcomes related to the treatments provided?

Discussion

• Report on literature review of other similar cases. Describe how this case is different.
• Explain the rationale for reporting the case. What is unusual about the case? Does it challenge prevailing wisdom?
• In the future, could things be done differently in a similar case?
• What educational pearls can be gleamed from this case?
• Describe why this case is osteopathically relevant.

Additional Notes

• References (maximum of 10) should NOT be on the abstract, this should only be included on the poster.

• Photos and graphs should NOT be on the abstract, this should only be on the poster.