DEX26: Diagnostic Excellence 2026 Meeting
Monday, October 5 - Wednesday, October 7
Simmons University
300 Fenway
Boston, MA 02215
To receive updates, subscribe to our DEX mailing list here or stay tuned to the UCSF CODEX LinkedIn page.
__
Jump to:
Registration - ends September 1
Call for Abstract Submissions - due July 3
Call for Shark Tank Ideas - due July 3
__
About DEX26
To receive updates, subscribe to our DEX mailing list here or stay tuned to the UCSF CODEX LinkedIn page.
The Diagnostic Excellence 2026 Meeting (DEX26) will bring together experts, learners, early-career professionals, researchers, educators, and patients to advance diagnostic excellence in healthcare. Through scientific presentations, collaborative workshops, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities, we'll explore the latest advances, share knowledge, and drive meaningful progress.
This year's co-hosts are UCSF CODEX, Boston Children's Hospital, and CIDM (Community Improving Diagnosis in Medicine).
This meeting is dedicated to improving diagnosis in healthcare. DEX26 will:
- Commence with presentations reviewing the trajectory of efforts to promote diagnostic excellence and a state-of-the-science review and discussion.
- Present and discuss research advances and ongoing studies through both open discussions and presentations of oral abstracts and posters.
- Include sessions focused on measurement and assessment of progress in improving diagnosis.
- Include designated sessions to present advances in clinical reasoning, how to teach these skills, and how to optimize clinical reasoning in practice, designed with medical educators in mind.
- Highlight considerations of how AI, "the new kid on the block" can be used to promote diagnostic excellence in research, education, and practice.
__
Registration
We're excited to announce that DEX26 registration is now open! Click below to register for DEX26, and register by July 1 to receive the early-bird discount.
Registration closes on Monday, September 1, 2026.
| Early Bird Pricing (ends July 1) | Regular Pricing (ends September 1) | |
| Physician | $350 | $400 |
| Non-Physician | $300 | $350 |
| Trainee | $100 | $150 |
| Patient, Caregiver, or Advocate | $0 | $0 |
__
Venue and Lodging
Venue
Simmons University
300 Fenway
Boston, MA 02215
Lodging
Book a room at the Hotel Commonwealth online or by phone at 617-933-5000 (reference the UCSF room block). Please note that the hotel is a safe and scenic 20-minute walk or a 7-minute drive from the meeting venue. The deadline to reserve a room in this hotel block is September 10.
__
Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to welcome one of healthcare's most influential voices to DEX26.
Robert Wachter, MD—best-selling author, professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Medicine, and widely regarded as the "father of hospital medicine"—will join us for an intimate fireside chat on Monday, October 5. The format of this session means you'll get Dr. Wachter's candid perspective up close, followed by ample time for live questions!
Dr. Wachter coined the term "hospitalist" and has spent decades shaping how we think about healthcare quality, patient safety, and the future of medicine. His newest book, A Giant Leap, is already a bestseller, cementing him as a pivotal voice as AI transforms delivery of care and health outcomes for generations to come.
__
Call for Abstract Submissions - due July 3
Share your research findings, applied innovations, and patient and family contributions that highlight the challenges of and paths forward for achieving diagnostic excellence. Click below for details about the abstract categories and requirements.
Abstract submissions are due on Friday, July 3, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Submission Requirements
- Abstracts must be 300 words or less and should adhere to the IMRaD format (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion)
- At least one author must attend the conference to present their work
- Names, degrees, institutions/affiliations, and abstract titles will be printed as listed in this submission form.
- Authors may submit more than one abstract
__
Call for Shark Tank Ideas - due July 3
This year at DEX26, pitch your idea and receive targeted feedback from peers and senior diagnostic excellence leaders on your research, operational innovations, and how you're improving diagnosis in practice. Learn more details about submission requirements and topic areas for this new plenary session by clicking below.
Shark Tank ideas are due on Friday, July 3, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
__
Credits and Accreditation
Credits
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (16.50 hours), American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Category 1 CME (16.50 hours), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Contact Hours (16.50 hours), American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) CE Credits (16.50 hours), Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) CE Credits (16.50 hours)
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of CME is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
IPCE Credit: UCSF Office of CME designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 16.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credit(s).
AAPA Credit: UCSF Office of CME has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria.
This activity is designated for 16.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit
commensurate with the extent of their participation.
ANCC Credit: UCSF Office of CME designates this Activity for a maximum of 16.50 ANCC contact hours.
__
Contact
Please email [email protected] with any questions. Thank you for your interest in DEX26!
__
Previous Meetings
View information about previous DEX meetings here.