Call for PhyzTalks: Opening May 20

General Information and Submission Process

Call for PhyzTalks Deadline: Wednesday, June 24

Submissions will be reviewed by the Program Planning Committee. The top applicants will be invited to present their story live at the Annual Assembly in Orlando, FL during the Friday plenary session. Please expect communication in early August on your submission status.

Submit your story for the chance to become a featured presenter at our 2026 Annual Assembly. Styled after TED Talks^®, PhyzTalks are 8-12-minute live presentations that tell a compelling and impactful physiatry-focused story. Top submissions will be invited to present their stories to the PM&R community during #AAPMR26 in-person in Orlando.

PhyzTalks will remain on Friday as another fun component of Physiatry Day!

PhyzTalks presenters will share their compelling and inspirational physiatry-focused stories with the PM&R audience. All plenary sessions will be live-streamed and available to registered attendees for future viewing.

Application Process

To be considered for a PhyzTalks plenary speaker, please apply no later than Wednesday, June 24.

The application consists of a short 3-5 minute required video submission. Here are some tips to consider while working on your video submission:

• We would like to see your personality and passion shine 
• Take this time to introduce yourself, outlining the highlights of your story and sharing why you think it's important to share at the Annual Assembly
• Describe how you think your story could impact physiatrists or the physiatrist community
• Make sure you are in a quiet, well-lit environment with a stable camera
• Please refrain from presenting your entire talk at this time

What is a PhyzTalk?

Styled after TED Talks^®, PhyzTalks are intended to be an 8-12 minute live presentation during which you tell a story that is compelling and impactful to physiatrists.

Do you have an inspiring story to share? An example of your PM&R community coming together? How you and your team are helping each other, your patients or your community? How you are using technology such as telemedicine to support your patients in new, innovative ways? Physiatrists working together for the greater good or any other physiatry-focused accomplishment?  We want to hear about your experiences and give you a chance to share them with your peers—and the 2026 Annual Assembly is the ideal time.

What are some tips for a successful PhyzTalk? 

Some tips for successful TED-style talks include:

• Use a story that is personal. It can sometimes feel like you’re bragging, but your successes can be both compelling and motivational without it being about boasting. Focus on the positive message you want to share, what you have learned, and how your experience can impact or move physiatry forward.
• Less is more. You will only have 8-12 minutes, so be clear on your core message. The exact allotted presentation time will be outlined in the finalist notification communication.
• While it may be helpful to use slides or video to augment your story, they can often be a crutch.  Don’t feel you need to use them. Visual aids should support or enhance the story, not be the story.
• Think through the beginning, middle and end of your talk. While some improvisation can be good, it is helpful to know how your story will end.
• There are little restrictions on how you can present your story, so feel free to include a colleague or music. The more unique, the better; just make sure that it connects to a core message.

What should a PhyzTalk not be?

Some examples of what not to do/include:

• A “pitch” of a specific product, service or institution
• Reading PowerPoint slides
• Presentation of a research abstract

Who should submit a PhyzTalk application?

All members (including residents and fellows) are eligible to submit an application describing the story they would like to present. 

This is your opportunity to have a platform to share your story with the specialty. Applicants are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible in the application to help the reviewers in selecting submissions.

At this time, medical students do not qualify to submit for a PhyzTalks presentation.

What is the selection process of PhyzTalk presenters? 

• Submit an application by Wednesday, June 24, describing the story you would like to tell.
• Applicants will be notified by early August if they have been selected to present during the PhyzTalks plenary.
• Selected applicants will present their story during our hybrid meeting. Applicants must be available to present live in Orlando. 
• All presentations will be recorded and featured on the Academy website post event.

Questions?

We'd love to hear from you. Please contact assembly@aapmr.org with questions.