Research Day is an annual May event that showcases the biomedical research of investigators within the Ochsner Health System. This group includes students of the University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School, as well as postdoctoral fellows, scientists, clinical residents and fellows, nurses, and pharmacists. The daylong event includes plenary sessions, a noon keynote address, a poster display, and an evening networking session with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in the Brent House Atrium.

Research Day gives clinicians and scientists in multiple disciplines the opportunity to cross-fertilize their scientific thinking and to establish collaborations. The event also provides opportunities for collegial discussion and the renewal of academic friendships.

In addition, the investigators’ presentations give the Ochsner community an appreciation for the complexity and strengths of the institution's academic activities.

Abstracts

To participate, investigators must submit an abstract by the deadline in late January. A peer jury reviews all abstracts and selects the abstracts for presentation. Notification of acceptance occurs approximately 3 weeks after the abstract submission deadline. Investigators whose abstracts are accepted must then prepare a poster for display and must attend the evening poster reception to discuss their work. The Publishing Services staff produces an annual program of events that includes a list of the posters available for viewing, the bio of the keynote speaker, and other information. Copies of the program books are available at the event. The Research Day abstracts are published online-only in the fall issue of the Ochsner Journal.

Awards

Cash awards are presented to the top 3 abstract/poster presentations by residents/fellows and the top 3 abstract/poster presentations by University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School medical students. Both Pharmacy and Nursing present cash awards to their first-place investigators.

Posters

The Academic Division’s Medical Illustrations department offers an Early Bird Express Poster Package. Investigators who provide their poster content to Medical Illustrations by the deadline will pay no fee for having their posters printed. Those who submit after the Early Bird deadline will be charged for the service.