Neuro-EM Scholars Program Retreat
The next Neuro-EM Scholars Program Retreat will be held December 1-4, 2026 in Ann Arbor, MI. More details will be available soon.
Retreat Overview
The Neuro-EM Scholars Annual Retreat provides a number of training opportunities related to grant writing and emergency medicine research. The Retreat also provides an opportunity for early career researchers to interact directly with the Neuro-EM Scholars Program national advisory committee members, senior emergency medicine faculty, NIH/NINDS career development leaders, and peers. The small-group interactive format allows for individual mentoring and career development advice.
Funded K12 Scholars
Funded Neuro-EM scholars are expected to attend the Retreat during the 3 years of K12 funding, plus the 2 years immediately following K12 funding (i.e. for 5 consecutive years).
At the Retreat, scholars provide updates on their research progress, receive mentoring from senior emergency medicine investigators and NIH personnel, and provide advice, insights, and mentorship to new Neuro-EM Program applicants and future scholars.
K12 Applicants
All K12 applicants are required to attend the Annual Neuro-EM Retreat and will be interviewed by Program Leadership during the meeting as part of the application process.
Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be covered for all K12 applicants.
Pipeline Participants
The primary benefit of participating in the Pipeline Program is attending the Neuro-EM Retreat, where attendees will receive grant writing and career development training 1-2 years before applying for the K12 award.
Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be covered for all selected Pipeline participants.
2025 Retreat Agenda
Content subject to change. Please bookmark this page to stay up to date. All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
Pre-Conference: Tuesday, December 2
5:15 – 6:00 pm (Graduate Hotel - Regency Ballroom)
Registration & Check-in
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Welcome Dinner
7:30 – 9:00 pm
National Advisory Committee Meeting (Co-Directors, NAC Members, & NINDS POs Only)
Retreat Day 1: Wednesday, December 3
7:30 – 8:30 am (Graduate Hotel - Regency Ballroom)
Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 am (Graduate Hotel - Terrace Ballroom)
Introduction and Goals of the Neuro-EM Scholars Program (Robert Neumar, MD, PhD - University of Michigan; Letitia Weigand, PhD - NINDS)
9:00 – 9:40 am (Terrace Ballroom)
Keynote - StrokeNet: Past and Present (Kevin Sheth, MD - Yale University)
9:40 – 10:20 am (Terrace Ballroom)
Keynote - Clinical Observations & Critical Thinking in the Translational Process (David Wright, MD - Emory University)
10:20 – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 – 11:45am (Terrace Ballroom)
Grit and Resilience – Failures and Successes in Research Careers (Gail D’Onofrio, MD, MS (Moderator); Manish I. Shah, MD, MS;
Craig Newgard, MD, MPH; Monika Goyal, MD; Lynne Richardson, MD)
11:45 – 1:15 pm (Terrace Ballroom)
Networking Lunch & Group Photo
1:15 – 4:45 pm
K12 Applicant Interviews (As assigned / per schedule)
1:15 – 2:15 pm (Graduate Hotel - Allen Rumsey Restaurant)
Pipeline & Scholar Speed Networking
2:15 – 2:45 pm
Break
2:45 – 4:45 pm (Graduate Hotel - Terrace Ballroom)
Scholars Practice Presentations
2:45 – 3:45 pm (Allen Rumsey Restaurant)
Pipeline Session: Planning Your Career Development Grant (Lauren Ullrich, PhD - NINDS)
3:45 – 4:45 pm (Allen Rumsey Restaurant)
Pipeline Session: Practical Strategies for Effective Grant Writing (Meagan Ramsey, PhD - University of Michigan)
4:45 – 5:30 pm
Break
5:30 – 8:00 pm (Sava’s Restaurant - 216 South State Street | See Menu )
Happy Hour & Networking Dinner
Retreat Day 2: Thursday, December 4
7:30 – 8:30 am (Regency Ballroom)
Breakfast
8:30 – 12:15 pm (Regency Ballroom)
K12 Study Section (Co-Directors, NAC Members, & NINDS POs Only)
8:30 – 9:10 am (Terrace Ballroom)
Career Development Session - Tips for Success During Your K12 (Lauren Mamer, MD, PhD - University of Michigan)
9:10 – 10:10 am (Terrace Ballroom)
Career Development Session - Insights and Advice for Publishing Impactful Research (Jeffrey Kline, MD - Wayne State University)
10:10 – 10:40 am
Break
10:40 – 11:40 am (Terrace Ballroom)
Career Development Session - Q/A Panel with Current Neuro-EM Scholars
(Adesuwa Akhetuamhen, MD, MS - Emory University; Madeleine Puissant, MD, PhD - MaineHealth Institute of Research;
Regina Royan, MD, MPH - University of Michigan; Jonathan Tam, MD - University of Pittsburgh)
11:40 – 12:15pm
Break
12:15 – 1:30 pm (Terrace Ballroom)
Networking Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 pm (Terrace Ballroom)
Neuro-EM Scholar Presentations
(Adesuwa Akhetuamhen, MD, MS - Emory University; Madeleine Puissant, MD, PhD - MaineHealth Institute of Research;
Regina Royan, MD, MPH - University of Michigan; Jonathan Tam, MD - University of Pittsburgh)
3:00 – 3:20 pm
Break
3:20 – 4:10 pm (Terrace Ballroom)
Working with Your Department Chair (Opeolu Adeoye, MD, MS (Moderator); Marie-Carmelle Elie, MD;
Manish N. Shah, MD, MPH; Dawn Kleindorfer, MD, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH)
4:10 – 5:00 pm (Terrace Ballroom)
Specific Aims: Do’s and Don’ts (Clifton Callaway, MD, PhD - University of Pittsburgh)
5:00 – 6:30 pm
Break
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Networking Dinner
Retreat Day 3: Friday, December 5
7:30 – 8:30 am (Regency Ballroom)
Breakfast
8:30 – 10:30 am (Terrace Ballroom)
Specific Aims Feedback Sessions (assigned small groups of program leaders and peers)
10:30 – 11:30 am (Terrace Ballroom)
NINDS Townhall (open Q/A with Letitia Weigand, PhD and Lauren Ullrich, PhD from NINDS)
11:30 – 12:30 pm (Terrace Ballroom)
Networking Lunch
12:30 pm (Graduate Hotel - Main Lobby)
Courtesy Airport Shuttle Departs
Have a question or want to learn more about the program?
Fill out the contact form to the right, and a member of the Neuro-EM Scholars Program team will connect with you about your request.
