Ergonomics 360°
Exploring the Physical, Cognitive, and Systems Dimensions in Surgery
We are delighted to welcome you to the Society of Surgical Ergonomics 5th Annual Symposium. This year's program brings together leading experts and innovators dedicated to advancing the 3 domains of surgical ergonomics: physical, cognitive, and systems. We look forward to an engaging day of learning, discussion, and collaboration, and to seeing both familiar and new faces at the meeting.
Symposium Details
Friday, November 6, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
​Virtual via Zoom
(Zoom link will be received after registering)
Keynote Speaker: Dr Susan Hallbeck, PhD
"From the Surgeon to the System: The Future of Surgical Ergonomics"
Dr. Susan Hallbeck is the Scientific Director of Human Factors Engineering in Mayo Clinic’s Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Healthcare Delivery. She is Professor of Health Care Systems Engineering, Consultant in Health Care Delivery Research and Consultant in Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Dr. Hallbeck is past president of both the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and the Society for Surgical Ergonomics. Dr. Hallbeck is a licensed professional engineer and a certified professional ergonomist. Dr. Hallbeck earned her PhD from Virginia Tech, her MS from Texas Tech and her BS from Iowa State University, all in Industrial Engineering.
Dr. Hallbeck is an HFES Fellow and International Ergonomics Association Fellow. She won the HFES Oliver Keith Hansen Outreach Award in 2025.
Program Highlights
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Keynote Speaker: Susan Hallbeck, PhD, CPE, Mayo Clinic
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Two scientific sessions: oral abstracts and "quick shot" presentations
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Best oral presentation awards: $1000, $750, $500
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Two panel sessions:
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Sound Minds, Safe Hands: Navigating Noise, Music, and Distraction in the Operating Room; panelists Lauren Kennedy-Metz, PhD, Christian (Chris) DeVirgilio, MD, and Joseph J. Schlesinger, MD
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Listening to the Body: Practical Ergonomic Strategies for the Operating Room; panelists Emily Olig, MD, Shon Black, MD, Amy Zhang, MD, and Pam Hess, OT
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Meeting Registration Fees
$100
Non-Member Professional
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This ticket is for those who have NOT paid for SSE membership and possess the following: MD, DO, MBBS, PhD, PT, OT, PA, RN, NP or equivalent professional degree
$50
Member
Professional
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This ticket is for those who have PAID for SSE membership and possess the following: MD, DO, MBBS, PhD, PT, OT, PA, RN, NP or equivalent professional degree. The society will be reviewing meeting registration to ensure compliance.
$25
Non-Member
Trainee
​
This ticket is for those who have NOT paid for SSE membership and are in a training program with a professional degree (i.e. fellow, resident physician, postdoctoral fellow or equivalent)
$15
Member
Trainee
​
This ticket is for those who have PAID for SSE membership and are in a training program with a professional degree (i.e. fellow, resident physician, postdoctoral fellow or equivalent)
FREE
Student/ Industry Sponsor/Speaker/LMIC
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This ticket is for students (i.e. medical students, PhD students, PA students, NP students, RN students, PT/OT students, or equivalent), participants of any professional level living in a low or middle-income country (LMIC), and industry sponsors
Important
The symposium will be held virtually via Zoom. Your registration is complete once payment has been received. Zoom access information will be emailed separately after your registration has been processed.