Burn Care Next: Leading Burn Care into Tomorrow — Highlights from the 2026 ABA Annual Meeting

The 2026 American Burn Association (ABA) Annual Meeting, the largest in ABA’s history, brought more than 2,300 individuals from the burn care community together for a forward-looking week centered on the theme Burn Care Next: Leading Burn Care into Tomorrow. Set against a backdrop of evolving public health challenges and increasing disaster complexity, the meeting focused on advancing burn care while strengthening preparedness, coordination, and system-wide response. 

Here’s a look back at key moments from the week. View event photos. 

Monday, April 13: Pre-Conference Kickoff  

The week began with intensive pre-conference sessions, including the Advanced Burn Life Support® Live Course, the first part of the Certified Burn Registered Nurse (CBRN) Exam Prep Course, and Burn Rehabilitation: Putting Competencies into Practice. The ABA Board of Trustees and various committees also gathered to plan upcoming initiatives and advance key priorities for the year ahead.​ The evening ended with the first of the week’s Sponsored Symposiums, led by industry experts, that offered in-depth education, innovative burn care solutions, and valuable networking. 

Tuesday, April 14: Special Interest Groups & Opening Night Kickoff 

Pre-conference activities continued with courses including ACT in Action: Practical Tools for Enhancing Psychological Flexibility for Survivors and Clinicians, the ABA Quality & Burn Registry Workshop, and Fundamentals of Burn Care: A Team Approach to Scar Management. Special Interest Group meetings also took place, creating space for focused discussion and peer connection across disciplines.  

A highlight of the day was the induction of the 2026 Class of Fellows of the American Burn Association (FABA). This distinction recognizes physicians who demonstrate specialization in burn care through advanced training, contribution, and commitment to the field. The ceremony honored both new inductees and the broader community of Fellows whose leadership continues to shape the future of burn care. 

The meeting officially began Tuesday evening with the Opening Night: Kickoff with the President & Board in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees gathered at the Innovation Theater for a welcome from ABA leadership, setting the tone for the days ahead. The exhibit hall opened with energy, offering early opportunities to connect, explore new technologies, and engage with industry partners. 

Wednesday, April 15: Opening Ceremony and Global Perspective Keynote 

Educational programming began with Sunrise Symposia, followed by the Opening Ceremony, Leadership Awards, and Presidential Address. The session reinforced the importance of leading burn care into the future through innovation, collaboration, and shared expertise. A highlight of the day was the opening keynote, which featured Professor Odhran P. Shelley, MB BCh BAO FRCSI (Plast) FEBOPRAS PhD, who brought a global perspective to burn care delivery and capacity building. Insights from international work underscored the importance of strengthening systems, expanding access, and fostering collaboration across regions and disciplines.  

Sessions throughout the day addressed real-world challenges, including the growing threat of wildland-urban interface fires and the need for coordinated disaster response. Interactive discussions and simulations emphasized surge capacity, interdisciplinary coordination, and the practical application of ABA resources in high-impact scenarios. The Innovation Theaters continued in the Exhibit Hall as a hub for concise, forward-thinking presentations on emerging technologies and care models. 

Thursday, April 16: Readiness, Leadership, and System Coordination 

Thursday’s programming focused on strengthening readiness at both the individual and system levels. The Presidential Plenary and keynote speaker, John B. Holcomb, MD, FACS, explored how lessons from military and disaster medicine inform civilian burn care, particularly in preparing for large-scale, complex events. 

Discussions emphasized the importance of coordinated planning among burn centers, first responders, and healthcare systems, highlighting that alignment and communication are critical to an effective response. Sessions addressing civilian-military collaboration and surge capacity reflected a growing focus on preparedness as an ongoing, system-wide effort. 

Friday, April 17: Research, Innovation, and Operational Excellence 

The final day spotlighted top abstracts and leading research, showcasing the depth and impact of work across the burn care community. Sessions explored both clinical and operational topics, including the risks and benefits of helicopter transport and innovative approaches to integrating disaster training with established resuscitation protocols to improve team performance. 

Featured sessions highlighted the breadth of innovation shaping the field, from advancing pediatric burn system development through new collaborative partnerships to hands-on applications of 3D scanning and printing in rehabilitation and a dynamic Ethics Bowl that tackled complex cases through interdisciplinary debate. Together, these sessions emphasized practical learning, collaboration, and real-world application. 

“Best in Category” posters and additional awards recognized excellence in research and innovation. The ABA Business Meeting provided key organizational updates, and the meeting concluded with a closing celebration that brought attendees together to reflect on the week and look ahead. 

Looking Ahead 

Across all four days, a consistent theme emerged: preparedness, collaboration, and innovation are essential to meeting the evolving demands of burn care. With nearly 30,000 inpatient admissions annually in the U.S. and a limited number of specialized burn centers, the importance of coordinated systems and shared expertise continues to grow. 

From global insights to frontline lessons, the 2026 ABA Annual Meeting reflected a field actively preparing for what’s next, while continuing to advance care for patients today. Thank you to all sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees whose contributions made this year’s meeting a meaningful and impactful experience. 

Save the date for the ABA 2027 Annual Meeting, which will be held April 13-16 in Chicago.