Medical conferences play a crucial role in the education and professional development of medical students. These events provide an invaluable opportunity to network with peers and professionals, gain exposure to cutting-edge research, and engage in discussions about the latest advancements in healthcare.
Attending conferences allows you to explore specific fields of interest, learn about career pathways, and build mentorship relationships that can shape your medical career. Additionally, presenting research at conferences can boost confidence and enhance resumes, and make you a more competitive residency applicant.
How to Find Medical Conference Opportunities
For medical students, finding the right conferences begins with researching organizations in their specialty of interest, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) or specialty-specific societies like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Most major medical societies host annual conferences, which can be found on their websites or through student organization bulletins. When choosing a conference, look for opportunities to network, sessions tailored to student attendees, and events featuring leaders in the field.
Location, cost, and availability of scholarships are also key considerations, as they can significantly impact the feasibility of attendance. Additionally, students interested in research should prioritize conferences that allow abstract submissions or poster presentations to showcase their work.
By carefully selecting conferences that align with your goals, you can maximize the value of your experience and lay the foundation for a successful career.
Major Medical Conferences by Specialty
Here’s a list of notable medical conferences, categorized by specialty, along with the months they typically occur. They are listed in alphabetical order, from anesthesiology to surgery.
It is worth noting that most major organizations will meet multiple times a year. Therefore, if you can’t attend the annual meetings, there is likely a smaller spin-off conference that could be a second chance for you.
Anesthesiology
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting: October, US
- Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) Annual Meeting: October, US
- International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Annual Meeting: May, US
- Euroanesthesia (ESAIC Annual Meeting): June, International
Cardiology
- American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Session: March, US
- American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions: November, US
- Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Annual Meeting: May, US
- European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress: August, International
- Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT): October, US
Dermatology
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting: March, US
- Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting: May, US
- European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress: October, International
- International Societies Investigative Dermatology (ISID) Meeting: May (every five years), International
Emergency Medicine
- American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Scientific Assembly: October, US
- Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Annual Meeting: May, US
- International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM): June, International
- Emergency Nursing Association (ENA) Annual Conference: September, US
- World Congress on Emergency and Trauma Care: November, International
Family Medicine
- American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) FMX (Family Medicine Experience): October, US
- Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Annual Spring Conference: May, US
- North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) Annual Meeting: November, US
- World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) World Conference: October (biennial), International
- Primary Care and Public Health Conference: September, International
Internal Medicine
- American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine Meeting: April, US
- Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Annual Conference: April, US
- American Medical Group Association (AMGA) Annual Conference: March, US
- European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) Congress: September, International
- Asian Pacific Congress of Internal Medicine (APCIM): November, International
Neurology
- American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting: April, US
- Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Annual Meeting: November, US
- European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress: July, International
- International Stroke Conference (ISC): February, US
Obstetrics & Gynecology
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Meeting: May, US
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Annual Pregnancy Meeting: February, US
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) World Congress: October (triennial), International
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) World Congress: June, International
- Global Congress on Maternal and Infant Health: September, International
Oncology
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting: June, US
- [American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting](https://www.aacr.org/about-the-aacr/newsroom/annual-meeting/#:~:text=The AACR will host the,April 25-30%2C 2025.): April, US
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress: October, International
- San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS): December, US
- World Cancer Congress (WCC): October (biennial), International
Orthopedics
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting: March, US
- Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting: February, US
- Combined Orthopaedic Associations (COMIC) Meeting: September (triennial), International
- [European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) Congress](https://congress.efort.org/welcome-to-lyon#:~:text=The main theme of the,both education and clinical practice.): June, International
- International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Congress: May (biennial), International
Pediatrics
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition: September, US
- Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Annual Meeting: April, US
- European Academy of Pediatrics (EAP) Congress: October, International
- International Pediatric Association (IPA) Congress: March (triennial), International
Psychiatry
- American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting: May, US
- Association for Academic Psychiatry (AAP) Annual Meeting: September, US
- European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA): March, International
- National Conference on Addiction Disorders (NCAD): August, US
Radiology
- Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting: November, US
- American College of Radiology (ACR) Annual Meeting: May, US
- European Congress of Radiology (ECR): March, International
- Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting: March, US
Surgery
- American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress: October, US
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Annual Meeting: January, US
- Vascular Annual Meeting: June, US
- European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) Annual Meeting: September, International
Again, there are so many more conferences that occur every year, and if you have a specific interest, the best thing you can do is search for it, find a mentor in that field, design a project, and execute the plan.
Tips for Presenting at Conferences
1 | Know Your Audience
Is your audience going to be mostly composed of other medical students, more seasoned researchers, or filled with clinicians who are looking to adopt your outcomes to their practice?
Knowing your audience will help you understand what people are hoping to get out of your presentation, allowing you to tailor your talk to their interests.
2 | Practice, Practice, Practice, Repeat
Your presentation is a representation of who you are and your professionalism. If you do well, it shows that you genuinely care about the work you are doing, which can have a big impact on how you are perceived.
It’s always worth the time to practice your talk with similar time constraints to what you will have during your real presentation at the conference.
3 | Follow Up After the Conference
At the conference, you will meet a mind boggling number of new people, some who are looking to collaborate with you on future projects or even some who are willing to mentor you.
Make sure to follow up with people after the conference ends so you can continue to benefit from the experience!
For more tips, check out Medical Student Conferences: 4 Tips for Presenting.
Become a Research Superstar
Attending and presenting at research conferences can change the course of your medical journey. From learning about groundbreaking advancements to growing more confident with public speaking to connecting with future colleagues and mentors to building a strong foundation for your future career, attending conferences is a must.
Whether you’re a premed student exploring your interests or a medical student honing your expertise, conferences will equip you with the skills and inspiration you need to make a lasting impact on the field of medicine.
Research is now front and center in determining a candidate’s competitiveness. If you find yourself wondering where to begin or not making much headway on your current research projects, our research course is for you.
We’ve distilled how to become a research superstar into a stepwise and repeatable process. The team behind the Med School Insiders research course has more than 60+ publications, abstracts, and presentations each, which has consistently wowed admissions committees.
These are the tactics and lessons we’ve learned along the way. Learn more about The Ultimate Premed & Medical Student Research Course.
