Call for PhyzTalks

Enhance your Annual Assembly experience with the popular PhyzTalks Plenary, where the top submissions from the Call for PhyzTalks will be featured. Audience polling will choose the PhyzTalk favorite, so be sure to hear your peers present and cast your vote!

General Information and Submission Process

Call for PhyzTalks Deadline: Closed

The top submissions will be invited to present their story live where the winner—chosen by the audience—will receive a FREE registration to our 2025 Annual Assembly, October 22 - 26 in Salt Lake City, UT.

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 2024 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 sometimes your successes can be both compelling and motivational without it being about boasting. Focus on the 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 no 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.

What is the selection process of PhyzTalk presenters? 

• Submit an application by June 26, 2024 describing the story you would like to tell.
• Applicants will be notified 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 San Diego.
• The audience will vote on their favorite PhyzTalk at the end of the session, and the winner will be announced.
• All presentations will be recorded and featured on the Academy website post event.
• The winner will earn a free registration to the 2025 Annual Assembly in Salt Lake City, UT.

Questions?

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

Application

To be considered for a PhyzTalk plenary, please apply no later than June 26, 2024.

1. Contact information

• Name
• Credentials
• Email
• Phone number
• Address
• Institution
• Years out of practice (or resident/fellow) 

2. Your biography. Please provide a brief summary of your education, work history, and experience, not to exceed 200 words.

3. Title of your PhyzTalk story. This title will be listed in all promotional materials and programs.

4. Your PhyzTalk story. Include a detailed description or summary of the story you’d like to present, not to exceed 500 words.

4. Have you presented before? Please provide a list or summary of your past presentation experience, including whether you have presented on this topic. (Note: past presentation experience is not required).

5. How do you think your story could impact physiatrists or the physiatrist community? What is your take-home message?

6. At this time, do you anticipate being able to travel to New Orleans for the in-person Annual Assembly? All faculty are expected to be in-person for the 2024 Annual Assembly in San Diego. This session will be live-streamed out to virtual participants.

7. Are there any special considerations the reviewers should be aware of? Would your presentation have any special A/V, or other technical or logistical support needs?

8. Any other comments on why you should be selected?