2026 HEAL Summit

We are excited to announce that the 2nd Annual HEAL (Hepatitis, Equity, Advocacy, Leadership) Summit, previously known as the Annual Hepatitis Conference, will be taking place on November 7, 2026 in collaboration with the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine APAMSA chapter!

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine has partnered with APAMSA to bring you a day full of HEALing.

 

APAMSA members and non-members are all welcome to register and attend.

Welcome to the 2nd Annual APAMSA Heal Summit!

Each year, we strive to collectively engage in the global fight against liver diseases, including hepatitis B and C, and to raise awareness about health disparities and their impact within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) population.

The objectives of the conference are to raise awareness about the impact of liver diseases on the AANHPI community, to encourage future health care providers to advocate for policy changes to address various health disparities that the AANHPI community face, to provide opportunities for current health profession students to network with prominent leaders in AANHPI healthcare and to provide a venue for students to present their research on topics related to GI/hepatology, oncology, mental health, advocacy, and more!

Who: APAMSA members (pre-medical students and medical students) and anyone interested in hepatitis, equity, advocacy, and leadership such as residents, physicians, and community leaders/members are all welcome to register and attend.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2025 from 8 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time

Where: Rocky Vista University Colorado Campus – Auditorium 2, 8401 S. Chambers Road, Parker, CO 80134

Full schedule with details will be announced soon

Saturday, November 7th, 2026

MORNING

8:20-8:30: Welcome and Introduction

8:30-9:00: Opening Remarks

9:10-10:00: Keynote Speaker 1 (TBA)

10:10-11:00: Keynote Speaker 2 (TBA)

11:10-12:00: Outreach NDMP

AFTERNOON

12:00-1:00: Lunch

1:00-2:00: Research Presentations

2:10-3:00: Breakout Sessions

3:10-4:00: Residency Panel

4:00-4:30: Closing Remarks and Award Presentation

Organization Booths (12:00-2:00 pm)

TBA

Abstract submissions for the 2nd Annual APAMSA HEAL Summit are now open!

Submit Abstract Here

Thank you for your interest in submitting your research for consideration for presentation at the 2nd Annual APAMSA HEAL Summit. We look forward to evaluating your hard work. We prefer research to cover GI/Hepatology/Health Equity/Advocacy topics but also accept research related to AANHPI communities.

The poster session is tentatively scheduled for 1 PM to 2 PM. At least one author is required to give a presentation during this time. Poster awards will be given by our judges.

Deadline for Abstract Submission – October 11, 2026 @ 11:59 pm CST
Final Abstract Decision Notification – October 18, 2026@ 11:59 pm CST
Poster Submission Deadline – October 31, 2026 @ 11:59 pm CST
HEAL Summit Research Symposium – November 7, 2026

Please contact us at hepatitis@apamsa.org if you have any questions.

To register, please fill out and pay through the registration form here.

Both steps must be completed in order for you to be fully registered.

 
HEAL Summit only
– Early Bird: $25 — register by Wednesday, September 30, 2026
– Regular: $35 — register by Friday, October 23, 2026
– Late: $40 — register by Friday, November 6, 2025
 
HEAL Summit + Pre-Conference Social
– APAMSA will subsidize a part of the activity fee – RSVP Required, Official registration by October 30
– Social Location: Top Golf Centennial 10601 E Easter Ave, Centennial, CO 80112
– Time: 7-9 PM Friday, November 6

– Additional $15 for food only at Top Golf
– Additional $25 for food AND golf at Top Golf

 

Local Chapter Discount: University/undergraduate students from Denver, CO, such as RVU (all campuses) and CU are eligible to receive 20% off their registration fee.

– Early Bird: $20 with discount  — register by Wednesday, September 30, 2026

– Regular: $28 with discount — register by Friday, October 23, 2026
– Late: $32 — register by Friday, November 6, 2025

 

Group Discounts: Register as a group to receive a discount

– 5-9 people: 10% off total registration
– 10-15 people: 20% off total registration

TRAVEL SUBSIDY:

To receive financial aid to attend the Hepatitis Conference, please fill out the travel subsidy application.

Travel subsidies are awarded per chapter distance traveled:

Chapters with 10+ attendees are eligible to receive an additional $150 travel subsidy – Please email us at hepatitis@apamsa.org regarding the additional award.

 

HOUSING INFORMATION:

Click here for the housing form

National APAMSA has secured discounted housing at Drury Inn & Suites Denver Near the Tech Center (9445 E Dry Creek Rd, Englewood, CO 80112) from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8.

Travel time estimates:
~10 minutes away from the RVU campus venue

~1 hour by public transport from the airport OR ~35 minutes by ride share

Subsidized Nights (Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7)
  • APAMSA will subsidize the cost of the hotel stay for both nights, bringing the rate down to:

                     -$25 per person for 4 people to a room

                     -$33.25 per person for 3 people to a room
                     -$50 per person for 2 people to a room
                     -$100 per person for 1 person to a room
Room assignments will be made based on gender identity and housing preferences to the best of our ability. You will receive a confirmation email with your assigned group by Monday, October 5, 2026.

Join our Discord server and check out the #heal-summit channel for announcements, live event updates, connecting with attendees, and addressing questions related to the conference!

Contact Us

Questions? Email us at hepatitis@apamsa.org.
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Response to Mass Shooting at Brown University

On December 13, 2025, a shooting at Brown University claimed the lives of two students and left nine other students injured, with some victims in critical but stable condition. This marks the 75th school shooting incident and the 43rd shooting at a university this year alone. We mourn for the lives lost and extend our support to the victims affected by this tragedy. 

National APAMSA strongly denounces all gun violence and remains steadfast in our commitment and desire for comprehensive federal, state, and municipal gun control policies as mentioned in our previous statements and in our policy compendium. We, at APAMSA, recognize gun violence as a preventable health crisis and urge legislators to institute stricter gun control measures. 

Measures such as standardizing and closing loopholes in background checks for firearms and increasing funding for mental health programs can be implemented to address root causes of gun violence. Although the 2023 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act has stipulated over $1 billion for improving student mental health, recent administration changes have greatly reduced how that money gets dispersed, denying much-needed mental health professional development grants for colleges and universities. Like disease management, we urge policymakers to focus on evidence-based approaches that have been shown to reduce deaths from gun violence

In the wake of this recent act of violence, many students may be experiencing fear, grief, numbness, or distress. These reactions are normal, and you do not have to navigate them alone. Support is available both on campus and through culturally affirming, confidential resources listed below.

For Brown University Students:

Brown University Emergency Services 
  • Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Services: 401-863-3476
  • Public Safety Management: 401-863-4111
  • Administrator On Call (AOC): 401-863-3322
Brown University Student Services  
  • Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS): 401-863-3476
    • Free virtual care services for all currently enrolled students 
  • BWell (Brown Wellness): Online appointment here
    • A confidential campus resource for students offering wellness check-ins, trauma-informed support, and help navigating care options after distressing events.
  • TimelyCare: More information here
    • Brown has partnered with TimelyCare to provide free therapy services to actively enrolled students
    • Free access up to 12 teletherapy sessions per year & unlimited access to a library of wellness videos
  • Chaplain & Spiritual Support: More information here
    • Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life (OCRL) aims to make available pastoral care and advice for students, staff, faculty, and alumni
  • Bereavement Group
    • When: Mondays @ 7:30PM 
    • Where: Room 411 of Page-Robinson
  • Student Support Services (SSS): More information here
    • Contact for either oneself or one’s peers to access collaborative assistance between University staff and the community to provide thoughtful individualized support during complex factors contributing to a student’s distress.

City of Providence Resources 

  • Family Service RI Crisis Line: 401-854-6678 
    • Offers counseling and support services for anyone in the community. 
    • Available for home visits or virtual counseling
  • United Way of Rhode Island 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1
    • Free and confidential information on mental and physical healthcare, housing, food, and emergency services available in the area
    • Open 24/7/365

24/7 Emergency Hotlines 

Key reminder: If someone is in immediate danger or talking about harming themselves or others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

  • National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988 for trained crisis counselors
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 
    • Immediate emotional support after trauma/violent events
  • Asian LifeNet Hotline: 1-877-990-8585 
    • A free, 24/7 hotline for those in distress. Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Fujianese offered
  • Trevor LifeLine: 1-866-488-7386
    • Confidential crisis intervention and suicide prevention aimed for LGBTQ+

Counseling & Support Services 

General AANHPI Mental Health Counseling Resources

AANHPI X LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources

Self-Care Resources

For a more extensive list, please visit https://www.apamsa.org/mental-health-initiative/ and look under Mental Health Resources. 

Please feel free to reach out to mentalhealth@apamsa.org if you would like to talk and we will work together on how APAMSA can best support you and your chapter. 

Authors: David Kim, Mia Park, Brian Leung

Signed: Region I Director, Brian Vu and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University APAMSA Chapter Co-Presidents, Jerome Dovan and Sophia Dutton

For questions regarding this statement, please reach out to Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org.
For local support, please contact the Region I Directors, Brian Vu and Stephanie Lam, at region1@apamsa.org