2026 Conference

meet the conference program chair

Matthew Bush, MD

Dr. Matthew Bush is a nationally recognized physician-scientist and board-certified otolaryngologist at the University of Kentucky, where he serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. With dual degrees in medicine and research, Dr. Bush has dedicated his career to advancing hearing health equity, particularly in underserved and rural populations. His interdisciplinary research focuses on disparities in access to hearing health care, hearing loss interventions, and outcomes among rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Through NIH-funded studies and community-based initiatives, he has been instrumental in developing models to improve hearing health services for vulnerable populations. Dr. Bush will serve as the invited co-chair for the 2026 Population Hearing Health Care Conference, where he looks forward to contributing to this year’s theme: “Improving Hearing Health for Indigenous, First Nations, and Rural Communities.” He brings deep expertise in rural health disparities and a commitment to building inclusive, sustainable hearing care systems.

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Improving Hearing Health for Indigenous, First Nations, and Rural Communities

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Expert Speakers

Networking Opportunities

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Our conference features scientists from hearing science and diverse disciplines present cutting-edge population health research. Gain valuable insights to inform policy decisions and shape the future of population health and hearing care.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with like-minded researchers and build lasting relationships. Our conference provides ample opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Cutting-Edge Topics

Networking Opportunities

Stay at the forefront of population hearing health with our conference's focus on the latest research and policy developments. Our sessions cover a wide range of topics, all aimed at improving hearing care at the population level

Interactive Roundtables

Take a hands-on approach to learning with our interactive workshops, designed to provide practical skills and strategies for population health research. Our roundtables are led by experienced researchers and offer a unique learning experience.

Inspiring Keynotes

Interactive Roundtables

Our keynote speakers include thought leaders, innovators, and individuals with lived experience, sharing their inspiring stories and insights to motivate and empower you.

Career Development

Interactive Roundtables

Career Development

With tailored mentoring sessions and opportunities to network with leading experts, we're here to usher in the next generation of hearing health leaders and scientists.

Agenda (Draft)

February 24th, 2026 (all times MST)

Day 1 of the Population Hearing Health Care Annual Conference (subject to change)

Arrive

8:00 – 8:30 am

Fresh bagels, yogurt, coffee and tea available.

Conference Welcome

8:30 – 8:40 am

Conference Chairs: Michelle Arnold, PhD & Kelly Tremblay, PhD

Conference Overview (Day 1)

8:40 – 8:45 am

Conference Program Chair: Matthew Bush, MD

Keynote Address

8:45 – 9:30 am

Speaker: Matthew Bush, MD

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

University of Kentucky, USA

Topic: Addressing Hearing Health Disparities in Rural Communities

Mid-Career Scholar Invited Talk

9:30 - 10:45 am

Speakers: Julia Toman, MD and Zach Porterfield, MD PhD

(Toman) Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

(Porterfield) Center for Global Health and Inter-Disciplinary Research

University of South Florida, USA

Topic: Empowering Health Access in Rural Communities: Lessons from Global Health for Local Health

Break

10:45 - 11:00 am

Set up posters

Invited Student Speaker

11:00 - 11:30 am

Speaker: Wid Alhassani, BS

University of South Florida, USA

Topic: Cholesteatoma and Hearing Outcomes in a Rural, Underserved Population

Panel Discussion

11:30am - 12:15 pm

Panel: Matthew Bush, MD; Julia Toman, MD; Zach Porterfield, MD PhD; Wid Alhassani, BS

Lunch

12:15 - 1:25 pm

On your own

Set up posters

Welcome Back

1:25 - 1:30 pm

Conference Program Chair: Matthew Bush, MD

Invited Speaker - Australia (Livestream)

1:30 - 2:15 pm

Speaker: Kiri Mealings, PhD and Luke Halvorsen PhDc

Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, Sydney Australia

Topic: Improving Care Pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children with Otitis Media

Invited Speaker - Thailand/Australia (Livestream)

2:15 - 3:00 pm

Speaker: Pongsakorn Lorprasert, PhDc; Kriengkrai Puripanyo, PhDc

Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, Sydney Australia

Topic: Strengthening Access to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Through Workforce and Service Delivery Models: Insights from Australia and Thailand

Break

3:00 - 3:15 pm

Set up posters

Panel Discussion

3:15 - 4:00 pm

Panel Speakers: Kiri Mealings, PhD; Luke Halvorsen, PhDc; Pongsakorn Lorprasert, PhDc; Kriengkrai Puripanyo, PhDc

Poster Session

4:00 - 5:00 pm

February 25th, 2026 (all times MST)

Day 2 of the Population Hearing Health Care Annual Conference (subject to change)

Arrive (Day 2)

8:00 - 8:30 am

Fresh bagels, yogurt, coffee, and tea available

Conference Overview (Day 2)

8:30 - 8:40 am

Conference Program Chair: Matthew Bush, MD

Early Career Invited Speaker - Kenya (Livestream)

8:40 - 9:10 am

Speaker: Lilian Wairimu Mokoh, MMed

Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Topic: Developing a National Ear and Hearing Care Program in Kenya

Adrian Davis Award Presentation

9:10 - 9:15 am

Conference Chair: Michelle Arnold, PhD AuD

Adrian Davis Lecture

9:15 - 10:00 am

Awardee: Susan Emmett, MD MPH

Center for Hearing Health Access, University of Arkansas, USA

Topic: Reimagining Hearing Health Access in Rural Communities

Break

10:00 - 10:15 am

Invited Speakers

10:15 - 11:30 pm

Speakers: Joshuaa Allison-Burbank, PhD, CCC-SLP and Natalie Pak, PhD, CCC-SLP

(Allison-Burbank) Center for Indigenous Health, John Hopkins University, USA

(Pak) Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of South Florida, USA

Topic: +Language is Medicine: Supporting Early Language Development Through Precision Tribal Home Visiting

Lived Experience

11:30am - 12:00 pm

Speakers: Mrs. Lisa Jim (mother) son Tobias Jim (son)

Navajo Nation

Lunch

12:00 - 1:00 pm

On your own

Panel Discussion

1:00 - 1:45 pm

Panel Speakers: Susan Emmett, MD MPH; Joshuaa Allison-Burbank, PhD, CCC-SLP; Natalie Pak, PhD, CCC-SLP; Lisa Jim; Tobias Jim

Methods Workshop

1:45 - 3:15 pm

Speakers: Clarice Meyers, AuD; De Wet Swanepoel, PhD

(Meyers) hearX Group

(Swanepoel) Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Topic: Measurement in resource-constrained settings

Break

3:15 - 3:30 pm

Round Table Session

3:30 - 4:45 pm

Conference Wrap-up & Good Byes

4:45 - 5:00 pm

Speakers: Mathew Bush, MD, Kelly Reavis, PhD MPH, Michelle Arnold, PhD AuD

Supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health Award Number R13DC020098

Abstract Submissions open SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

General Abstract Submission - CLOSED

Submit your LATE-BREAKING abstract for the PopHHC Conference poster session to showcase innovative research and insights in population health and hearing care. Late Breaker Deadline: January 12th, 2026.

Abstract Submission

Student Abstract Submission and Travel Award - CLOSED

**STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD** applications must include a 500-word abstract and a 500-word personal statement describing your motivation for attending the conference. Abstracts in line with the conference theme are encouraged and will be prioritized. Abstract deadline: October 31st, 2025.

2026 Population Hearing Health Care Annual Conference

meet the conference program chair

Matthew Bush, MD

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Expert Speakers

Networking Opportunities

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Networking Opportunities

Networking Opportunities

Networking Opportunities

Cutting-Edge Topics

Networking Opportunities

Networking Opportunities

Interactive Roundtables

Interactive Roundtables

Interactive Roundtables

Inspiring Keynotes

Interactive Roundtables

Interactive Roundtables

Career Development

Interactive Roundtables

Career Development

Agenda (Draft)

February 24th, 2026 (all times MST)

Arrive

Conference Welcome

Conference Overview (Day 1)

Keynote Address

Mid-Career Scholar Invited Talk

Break

Invited Student Speaker

Panel Discussion

Lunch

Welcome Back

Invited Speaker - Australia (Livestream)

Invited Speaker - Thailand/Australia (Livestream)

Break

Panel Discussion

Poster Session

February 25th, 2026 (all times MST)

Arrive (Day 2)

Conference Overview (Day 2)

Early Career Invited Speaker - Kenya (Livestream)

Adrian Davis Award Presentation

Adrian Davis Lecture

Break

Invited Speakers

Lived Experience

Lunch

Panel Discussion

Methods Workshop

Break

Round Table Session

Conference Wrap-up & Good Byes

Abstract Submissions open SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

General Abstract Submission - CLOSED

Student Abstract Submission and Travel Award - CLOSED

Location and Hotel Details

Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas

Our Sponsors

2026 Conference Links

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