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2026 Annual Meeting
Florida Chapter’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Edward M. Copeland, III, MD, FACS Research Symposium
Saturday, April 11 - Sunday, April 12, 2026
Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute
Venue Information
Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute
62 Columbia St., Orlando, FL 32806
Easy, complimentary parking on site
Registration
Early Registration Rates:
Member (Florida/South Florida Members): $200
Non-Member: $250
Resident/Fellow-in-Training: $85
Medical Student: $40
Early Rate Deadline: March 1, 2026
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests must be made in writing and received on or before March 11, 2026. Cancellations and registrations postmarked after the deadline date will not be eligible for refunds. There is a $50 handling fee for all refunds and returned checks.
Accommodations
Towne Place Suites by Marriott Orlando Downtown (across the street from Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute)
51 Columbia St. | Orlando, FL 32806
(407) 601-5100
$149 + tax per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown
1.2 Miles
191 E. Pine St. | Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 841-1000
$120 Standard and $140 Deluxe
Residence Inn by Marriott
2.5 Miles
680 N. Orange Ave. | Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 482-1500
Standard Room $154 + tax per night
*Please call hotel directly and mention Orlando Health to receive a discounted hotel rate.
Call for Abstracts: Podium and Poster Opportunities
Submission Deadline: February 11, 2026
Finalist Notification: By March
Lead Author Registration Deadline: March 25, 2026
Distinguished Edward M. Copeland, MD Resident Paper Competition
Entries will be accepted for the following categories:
Basic Science
Clinical Science
Commission on Cancer (CoC)*
Advocacy
Education
All entries are encouraged, including papers presented elsewhere. However, winners from another ACS local or regional chapter competition will NOT be eligible as an award finalist.
The top 3 scoring papers from each category will be selected for an oral podium presentation at the annual meeting. Entries not selected for a podium presentation will be considered for a poster presentation.
Spectacularly Challenging Cases and Surgical Surprises
Submissions of case studies from residents and fellows (ACS and Associate Fellows only) will be considered for presentations during an interactive case presentation session at our 2026 Annual Meeting.
We are looking for surgical cases and experiences that:
Are not routinely seen in practice
That were treated in a unique fashion
Cases/experiences where the clinical presentation and/or challenge of management produced knowledge and insights that have educational value
Individuals with cases that include the following components are encouraged to apply:
Robots
3-D Printing
Imaging
New Surgical Tools and Devices
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Simulation
Biomaterials
Precision Medicine
Preliminary Program
Saturday, April 11
7:00 AM
Registration and Breakfast
8:00 AM
Welcome Announcements
8:15 AM
Controversies in General Surgery - The Cutting Edge Debate
Appendectomy vs Antibiotics: Is the Knife Still King?
Access, Equity, and Outcomes in Obesity: Scalpel or Syringe?
9:15 AM
“Got Nerve?" All the Feels, From Relief to Restoration in Surgery
Nerve Grafts for Neurotization, RPNI
Cryoablation of Intercostal Nerves (Rib Fractures/Thoracic Surgery)
Regional Nerve Blocks/Multimodal Pain Control
10:00 AM
Break with Exhibitors
10:30 AM
Rethinking Surgery: AI, Magnets, and Machines
Artificial Intelligence in Surgery
Magnetic Anastomosis in Bariatric Surgery
Remote Robotics
Breast Cancer
11:30 AM
Beyond the Scalpel: Leadership and Advocacy
12:00 PM
Lunch with Exhibitors
1:00 PM
ACS Presidential Address with Q&A - Dr Sidawy
1:30 PM
ACS Foundation
1:45 PM
Distinguished Edward M. Copeland, MD Resident Paper Competition
Basic Science
Clinical Science
Commission on Cancer
3:30 PM
Break with Exhibitors
3:45 PM
Spectacularly Challenging Cases and Surgical Surprises
4:15
E-Poster Presentations / Break with exhibitors
4:30 PM
Happy Hour
5:15 PM
Next-Gen Surgery Innovation Lab: Explore the Tools Shaping the OR
6:30 PM
Conclude
Sunday, April 12
7:00 AM
Breakfast
7:00 AM
Rise and Connect: Women in Surgery Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM
Buzzers, Brains, and Bragging Rights: Resident Jeopardy - sign up via registration!
9:00 AM
ACS President Lecture
10:00 AM
Program Directors Unplugged: Training Surgeons in Today's Environment
11:00 AM
Navigating the Next Chapter: From Residency to Practice
11:45 AM
Chapter Business Meeting
12:00 PM
Adjourn