Abstracts

Share Your Cutting-Edge Research as a Poster at SAWC Spring WHS 2026

The Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) WHS Spring 2026 invites you to submit an abstract for consideration to be presented as a poster at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC, April 8-April 12, 2026. This is your opportunity to share your cutting-edge research with the best-in-class audience of experts in the field.  

Posters will be on display during all poster hall hours and on multimedia screens. ePosters will also be available to view in the mobile app.

SAWC Spring | WHS 2026 Abstract Overview

Abstracts are brief summaries of the overall goal of an offering and the specific ideas or concepts that will be presented, including outcomes and implications for practice. Limit abstracts to a 250-to-350-word count and divide it into the following sections: introduction, methods, results, and discussion. View an in-depth overview of the Abstract Submission Guidelines linked below.

Key Dates* for Abstract Submissions

  • Abstract Submission Site Opens – Tuesday, August 12, 2025
  • Abstract Submission Site Closes – Friday, December 12, 2025
  • Notification of Acceptance or Rejection – Wednesday, January 28, 2026
  • Registration and Intent to Present Due – Wednesday, February 11, 2026
  • PDF Posters Due – Wednesday, March 11, 2026

*Deadlines are tentative and subject to change.

Abstracts submitted by December 12, 2025, may be eligible for the following benefits and/or awards: 

  • ePoster Display (Digital Poster PDF)
  • First-to-Podium Abstract Presentations
  • Highest Scoring Abstract Awards (by Submission Category)
  • Marie Brown Etris Oral Abstract Presentations 
  • Poster Hall Poster Display (Printed Poster)
  • Publishing opportunities in Wounds (ISSN 1943-2704), the official journal of SAWC
  • RAPID-FIRE: Poster Talks
  • Tuition Support ($50 off Registration Fee)
  • Young Investigator Award 

Abstract Presentation Categories

     1. First-to-Podium Presentation Only

The First-to-Podium Presentation category is reserved exclusively for work that is being  presented for the first time. Only truly original, practice-enhancing research, emerging data, or novel  innovations that have not been presented, published, posted, or shared in any scientific,  educational, or public forum are eligible. 

To maintain the integrity of this high-visibility category and to respect the valuable time  and expertise of our clinician reviewers, the following requirements will be enforced: 

  • Submissions must represent new and unpublished work. 

  • Content must not have been previously presented at any conference, symposium, webinar, or event, etc. 

  • Content must not have been published in any journal, digital platform, or similar outlet. 

  • Submissions should include novel insights or innovative approaches with the potential to change or significantly enhance clinical practice.

Any submission entered in the First-to-Podium category that does not meet all eligibility criteria will  be declined without an opportunity to resubmit. Our reviewers—who are clinicians volunteering  for their time and expertise—evaluate each submission with great care. We ask all submitters  to adhere to these guidelines. 

Embargo Note: Abstracts chosen by the Reviewer Committee for First-to-Podium presentation are  embargoed until the start of the session in which they are featured taking place on April 9, 2026. 

     2. Oral Presentation Only

Oral presentations feature the highest-scoring abstracts. Primary contacts/submitters will be notified about selection for an Oral Presentation by the acceptance deadline. Each presentation will be 10 minutes including presentation time and Q&A. Oral presenters may also present their abstract as a poster in the Poster Hall.

     3. Poster Presentation Only

Posters are displayed in the Poster Hall on bulletin boards measuring 48 inches high by 96 inches wide. Printed posters will be available for viewing during all Poster Hall hours. ePosters (PDFs) will also be accessible through screens within the conference space and via the mobile app.

     4. Poster Presentation if Not Selected for Oral Presentation Only

For your abstract to still be considered for a poster presentation, should it not be selected for podium presentation, choose the category Poster Presentation if Not Selected for First-to-Podium or Oral.

     5. RAPID-FIRE: Poster Talks

Each presentation is 5 minutes including Q&A. This session is for CE credit and requires additional paperwork to be completed. Commercial interests are not eligible to participate. The ACCME, ACPE, ANCC and CPME defines a “commercial interest” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients with the exemption of nonprofit or governmental organizations and non-healthcare related companies.

Abstract Submission Categories

Submitted abstracts will be reviewed and scored based upon the review criteria specific to each submission category, as outlined here. Categories are as follows:

  • Case Series/Case Study
  • Clinical Research
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Health Economics
  • Laboratory Research
  • Practice Innovation

Abstract Submission Instructions

All abstracts must be submitted electronically via the official SAWC Spring | WHS 2026 abstract submission portal website. Paper or e-mail abstract submissions will not be accepted. 

View an in-depth overview of the Abstract Submission Guidelines here

Embargo Policy for First-to-Podium Presentation Abstracts

Abstracts chosen by the Scientific Selection Committee for First-to-Podium presentation as part of the agenda/scientific program for the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring | WHS are embargoed until the start of the session in which they are featured during the First to Podium Presentations session on April 9, 2026. 

All First-to-Podium Presentation abstracts will be published to the Wounds website, the official journal of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care following the meeting.

SAWC Spring | WHS Embargo Policy for First-to-Podium Presentation Abstracts

The Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC Spring | WHS) meeting follows a strict embargo policy to ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of scientific content. All abstract presenters, authors, Scientific Selection Committee and involved stakeholders must comply with the following guidelines to maintain the integrity of the conference and its communications. 

1. Definition of "Embargoed" Content

"Embargoed content" refers to any abstract, research data, or findings presented at the SAWC Spring | WHS meeting that is identified as a First-to-Podium Presentation abstract. Such content is considered embargoed until the official embargo date is lifted by the meeting organizers. 

2. Embargo Lift Date

Abstracts chosen by the Scientific Selection Committee for First-to-Podium presentation as part of the agenda/scientific program for the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring | WHS are embargoed until the start of the session in which they are featured during the First-to-Podium Presentations session on April 9, 2026. This means no data, findings, or abstract details can be shared publicly (through press releases, social media, media interviews, or other public channels) until after the first oral presentation of the abstract at the meeting.

3. Restrictions on Public Disclosure

  • Pre-Conference: Presenters and authors are prohibited from publicly sharing, presenting, or discussing abstract details, findings, or any related data prior to the official presentation at the SAWC Spring | WHS meeting.
  • Post-Conference: Once the embargo is lifted (i.e., after the official presentation), authors and presenters may publicly disclose their work but must ensure accurate representation of the information presented during the meeting.

4. Media and Press Engagements

  • Any media or press outreach regarding the content of First-to-Podium Presentation abstracts prior to the embargo lift date is strictly prohibited. All media representatives and journalists must adhere to this embargo policy.
  • If there is any interest in discussing research or preliminary findings with the media, authors must coordinate through the SAWC Spring | WHS Press office or communication channels to ensure compliance.
  • The embargo policy means that no news, information, results of any abstract, or research finding can be released to the media or published until the start of the session in which they are featured during the First to Podium Presentations session on April 9, 2026. This embargo includes revealing anything about the results (including the title of the abstract, since frequently the title indicates the finding) in a press release or “curtain raiser.” If you have questions, e-mail the SAWC Spring | WHS Press Team at pr@hmpglobal.com

5. Consequences of Embargo Violations

  • Violation of the embargo policy will be taken seriously and may result in the withdrawal of the abstract from the conference or other sanctions, including disqualification from future participation in the conference.
  • Authors, presenters, associated colleagues, Scientific Selection Committee members, members of the press, and members of the healthcare or financial industry found in violation of the embargo may also face restrictions on presenting at subsequent SAWC or affiliated events.

6. Additional Guidelines

  • Authors as well as the Scientific Selection Committee should be aware that the embargo applies to all forms of public communication, including but not limited to social media posts, press releases, interviews, and publication in any media.
  • Presenters are encouraged to consult with the conference organizers or the press team if they have questions or need clarification about the embargo policy.

7. General Inquiries

For any inquiries regarding this embargo policy or specific concerns related to abstract presentations, contact the SAWC Spring WHS Press Team at pr@hmpglobal.com.

Notification and Terms of Acceptance

Acceptance and Correspondence

Correspondence

All abstract communications will be sent to the primary contact, who is the submitter. The primary contact is responsible for notifying all authors of important details and deadlines. Be sure to save the e-mail address below to your address book, so you don’t miss any important correspondence. Additionally, the website will be updated with any important dates or instructions. 

We are not responsible for any e-mails that are not received due to misspellings, defunct e-mail accounts, or e-mails blocked from abstractsubmissions@hmpglobal.com.

Notification of Acceptance/Decline

Abstracts will be accepted on a competitive basis. The acceptance/decline notification e-mail will be sent to the primary contact (submitter). Do not inquire about the status of your submission before the date noted at the top of this page, as no further information will be available until that date. Prior to the meeting, all information will be forwarded to the primary contact only, and they are responsible for notifying all the authors of details.

Intent to Present

SAWC requires proof of conference registration for all accepted abstracts. After registering, it is the designated primary contact’s responsibility to mark his or her intent to present through the abstract portal, as outlined in the acceptance e-mail. This includes providing the badge number of the registered representative, which can be found in the registration confirmation e-mail. Instructions for this process will be included in the acceptance e-mail. Even if you are registered for the meeting, intent to present must still be submitted. If the intent to present is not submitted by the deadline listed in the acceptance e-mail, the abstract will be withdrawn.

Expenses/Services

All expenses related to submitting and presenting an abstract, including travel, hotel, and conference registration, are the responsibility of the presenter.

Poster presenters are responsible for the cost and organization of printing, shipment, display of and removal of printed posters in the Poster Hall during specified times. The conference does not provide these services.

Poster Setup/Display/Dismantle Information

View the schedule for poster setup, display and dismantle here. Additional important information is below. 

  • Posters are displayed on bulletin boards 48 inches high × 96 inches wide. The recommended print size is 40 inches high by 60 inches wide.  

  • Push pins will be provided. If additional mounting supplies are needed, especially for heavier posters (laminated, vinyl, or other heavier material), bring these with you.  

  • The distribution of product samples is prohibited. Business cards may be distributed.  

  • Handouts of the poster and QR codes linking to the poster may be pinned to the poster board. No other handouts or QR codes are permitted.    

  • Audio-visual equipment will not be available for poster presentations.   

  • At a minimum, all presenters need to be available to present their poster(s) during the Poster Reception.  

  • Posters should not be removed prior to Poster Dismantle time. Any materials, including shipping tubes and/or posters, left in the poster hall will be discarded.

No-Show Policy

SAWC monitors all posters onsite for non-attendance. Presenters who fail to appear without notification negatively impact the programming, create additional costs and result in empty poster boards for attendees. 
Presenters who no-show without notice will not be eligible to submit abstracts to future SAWC meetings.

Withdrawals

Once an abstract is accepted, the submitter is obligated to ensure it is presented by an author or appropriate representative. Formal withdrawals are accepted via email to abstractsubmissions@hmpglobal.com. Make sure to include the abstract title and first author’s name in your correspondence. 

Failure to withdraw in writing and failure to present (no-show) will result in ineligibility for future SAWC abstract submissions as first author. 

Important Links

Click below for information on:

Questions?

It is important to review the additional documents in the 'Important Links' section before contacting the SAWC Abstract Team with questions. If there are questions not answered in the above documents, e-mail abstractsubmissions@hmpglobal.com.

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