Frequently Asked
Questions
Oral Presentations
Have the abstract notifications been released?
Yes, abstract notification letters (accepted/not accepted) were sent to the abstract submitter and the presentation author in May. If you have not received your 2025 abstract notification, please check your spam folder first and then contact usarmy.detrick.medcom-usamrmc.mbx.mhsrs-info@health.milfor assistance.
I was selected for an oral presentation at a breakout session. How do I find out the date and time of my session?
Refer to your notification letter for the name of the breakout session under which your abstract was selected and the date and time of this session. The dates and times of all 2025 Plenary and Scientific Breakout Sessions can be accessed through the official MHSRS app.
I was selected for an oral presentation at a breakout session, but I cannot attend. Can I send a substitute presenter?
Yes, with one exception.
You may send a substitute presenter if you were selected for an oral presentation at a breakout session and cannot attend with one exception. If you were selected for the Young Investigator Competition (oral or poster), no substitutions are allowed in this category.
If you will be unable to attend and will have a substitute presenter:
(1) make the change in your account on the MHSRS website (https://mhsrs.health.mil/SitePages/Home.aspx)
and
(2) send an email to usarmy.detrick.medcom-usamrmc.mbx.mhsrs-info@health.mil with:
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your MHSRS abstract number
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the new presenter’s full name and terminal degree
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the new presenter’s email address
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a signed Conflict of Interest (COI) form from the new presenter.
Go to session-guidelines to download this form.
Do substitute presenters need to submit a COI form?
Yes.
A new COI is not required for substitute poster presenters.
Is there a specific length for my oral presentation?
Yes.
The standard presentation time is 15 minutes to include questions. Individual presentation times (e.g., 1300 – 1315) will be posted when all speaking schedules have been submitted.
Is there a standardized slide template for oral presentations?
No.
Use your organizational template and utilize the wide format (16:9). All presentations must include a Disclaimer/Conflict of Interest slide. Contact speakers@MHSRS.net for a sample, if needed.
How do I load my slide presentation?
The portal for uploading your PPT presentation is open. Go to session-guidelines to make sure requirements for upload have been met and then follow the instructions on that page to upload your PPT.
Scroll down on this page to Upload Your Presentation.
All sessions receiving abstracts are considered for CE credit.
When are my slide presentations due?
Presentations are needed as close to 3 July as possible to allow the Continuing Education (CE) provider ample time to review slides for CE eligibility before the meeting starts on 4 August. CE review process is determined at the session level, not by the individual speakers. All presentations submitted to an abstract driven session are up for CE review.
We cannot accept presentations by email. You must use the portal to upload your PPT presentation.
Why is the deadline to upload slide presentations so early?
The CE provider, before they will award CE credit for any of the abstract based breakout sessions, reviews each individual slide presentation in conjunction with the presenter COI that was submitted with the abstract. For the number of slide presentations expected at the 2025 MHSRS, the CE provider needs ~4 weeks to review and request for presentation revisions, as needed. The goal is to know the CE credit status of as many of the 2025 sessions as possible before the meeting.
In addition, the meeting support contractor needs sufficient time to queue up the ~450 individual slide presentations expected by breakout session and speaking order.
That said, we understand that many organizations require an extended clearance process before release of the presentation is authorized. Please submit your slide presentations as close to the 3 July deadline as possible.
Contact speakers@mhsrs.net with any questions.
I am the moderator of a grandfathered session that is not seeking CE credit. When are my slide presentation due?
Slides for presentations selected for oral talks in the designated grandfathered sessions not seeking CE credit are due no later than Wednesday, 23 July. Presentations by email will not be accepted. Please contact speakers@mhsrs.net with any questions.
What is my responsibility for organizational clearances for my presentation (poster and/or slide)?
Attendees are responsible for obtaining all required organization clearances (e.g., Public Affairs
Operational Security) for their oral presentation slides or posters.
DoD attendees: All information presented in a public forum must be formally cleared for public disclosure. Distribution A.
Is it possible to make edits to my accepted abstract after the notification letter is received?
Yes, the system is open to make changes to your accepted abstract. Only the original submitter of the abstract can make these changes through their portal on the MHSRS site (https://mhsrs.health.mil/SitePages/Home.aspx). Changes include minor text changes, change of presenter, adding a disclaimer, presenter name change, and/or abstract withdrawal.
Will you be publishing the accepted abstracts on the MHSRS website?
Yes, we will publish abstracts whose authors have given us permission to publish. These can be accessed on the MHSRS website (https://mhsrs.health.mil/SitePages/Home.aspx) approximately 3-4 weeks after the notification letters are released.
I have co-authors. Can I list them on my title slide?
No.
Only the Speaker(s)/Presenter(s) should be listed on the title slide. This individual/individuals have submitted a COI/Disclosure form for review.
All presentations must also include an acknowledgement slide. On this slide, list individuals who may have contributed to the overall work but NOT the individual slide deck preparation. These individuals do not require a COI form.
Is there anything specific guidance to preparing my slide presentation?
Yes.
Before preparing and uploading your PPT slide, visit these two pages:
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Be sure to review “How to Upload Your Slide Presentation” on this page to make sure the 5 criteria listed have been met.
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Presentation Do’s and Don’ts. Consult this list when formatting your content for presentations, to ensure compliance with ACCME Standards. This includes things such as not using logos and brand names, as well as the proper use of products, images and company names.
Please ensure that the content of your slide presentation complies with all Executive Orders that have been released
I am the moderator or speaker in a non-abstract breakout session that is not seeking CE credit. When is my slide presentation due?
Slides for presentations selected for oral talks in the non-abstract breakout sessions where CE credit is N/A are due no later than Wednesday, July 23. Presentations by email will not be accepted. Use the portal directions described above to load your presentation. Contact speakers@mhsrs.net with any questions.
Is it possible to make edits to my submitted presentation once I upload it to the portal.
Yes. Contact speakers@mhsrs.net with any questions.