MedStar Health and Georgetown University Showcase Innovation and Academic Excellence at Annual Research & Education Symposium

More than 375 research presentations and national leaders highlight the future of education and care.

WASHINGTON – MedStar Health and Georgetown University today convened the 2026 MedStar Health–Georgetown University Research & Education Symposium, bringing together physicians, nurses, researchers, educators, students and trainees from across the academic health system and university for a day of discovery, learning, collaboration and celebration.

The annual Symposium drew more than 1,000 attendees and featured more than 375 peer-reviewed poster and oral presentations, along with workshops spanning clinical care, translational science, population health research, and medical and nursing education. The event underscored the strength of the longstanding academic partnership and its shared commitment to advancing health through research and education.

“The Symposium demonstrates what is possible when we harness the full strength of our academic community,” said Stephen R.T. Evans, MD, chief medical officer, MedStar Health. “From groundbreaking research to new approaches in education, today’s program reflects our commitment to improving care for the patients and communities we serve.”

Highlighting Innovation in Education and Research

This year’s program featured two keynote presentations that anchored the day’s discussions and reflected the breadth of academic excellence across the partnership.

The morning keynote, delivered by Eliana Bonifacino, MD, MS, academic hospitalist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine, explored the future of health professions education, with a focus on the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping how clinicians are trained and how learning is delivered.

The afternoon keynote featured Julie A. Freischlag, MD, FACS, ambassador and leadership advisor at Advocate Health. Dr. Freischlag previously served as chief academic officer and executive vice president, Advocate Health, chief executive officer and chief academic officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, executive vice president of health affairs of Wake Forest University, and dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. A nationally recognized leader in academic medicine—and the first female surgeon-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital—Dr. Freischlag shared perspectives on leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of research in improving patient care.

“Research drives forward access to cutting-edge therapies and treatments that can help our patients live healthier lives,” said Neil J. Weissman, MD, chief scientific officer, MedStar Health. “The Symposium embodies our commitment to advancing academic medicine and fostering innovation to ultimately improve the standard of care in our communities.”

Showcasing the Next Generation of Leaders

A central focus of the Symposium was the development and recognition of emerging talent. Residents, fellows, and students presented original research through oral and poster sessions, contributing to a dynamic exchange of ideas across disciplines.

Top honors for Best Oral Abstracts in Resident & Fellow Research were awarded to:

• First Place: Seunghee Han, MD (Internal Medicine, PGY 1–3); Sara Kiparizoska, MD (Gastroenterology, PGY 4+); and Margaret Hornick, MD (General Surgery Fellow)
• Second Place: Ardashvardhan Tangella, MD (Internal Medicine, PGY 1–3); Alexandra Snyder, MD (Complex Benign Gynecology, PGY 4+); and Navya Vemula, MD (General Surgery Fellow)
• Third Place: Gregory Furletti, MD (Pathology, PGY 1–3); Patrick Mooney, MD (Endocrinology, PGY 4+); and Jeffrey Breton, MD (Neurosurgery Fellow)

The event also recognized the following individuals who presented the top scoring abstracts related to health professions education:

• First Place: Jose (JV) Nable
• Second Place: Katie DePalma
• Third Place: Theodora Balis

Strengthening a Leading Academic Partnership

The MedStar Health–Georgetown University partnership continues to serve as a national model for integrating research, education, and clinical care. The annual Symposium provides a vital platform to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation across the academic health system.

“When building on our partnership, opportunities like today’s Symposium are critical to advancing our shared mission,” said Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS, executive vice president for health sciences at Georgetown University Medical Center. “We’re creating a better future by celebrating the importance of discovery with our students and residents. This is essential for creating the next generation of leaders of change and to ensure health, hope and healing for all.”

To read more about this year’s event, please visit MedStarHealth.org/Symposium.