WAAHP 2025 Theme:

The Winning Edge: Advising Students on How to Beat the Odds

We encourage conference proposals that highlight NAAHP's mission to promote the professional growth of our members and partners as they develop the next generation of healthcare providers.

In line with our theme - The Winning Edge: Advising Students on How to Beat the Odds - the WAAHP 2025 Conference Planning Committee seeks proposals that address the following categories:

• High Stakes Best Practices: The essential knowledge every advisor needs to hit the jackpot, including tips on crafting winning personal statements, securing ace letters of recommendation, and mastering core advising techniques.
• Strategies for Challenging Hands: Proven tactics for dealing with tough situations including low GPAs, re-applying, and post-bac routes, to ensure advisors play the right card in any scenario.
• Breaking Down the Casino Barriers: Strategies to support underrepresented students and dismantle systemic roadblocks to ensure a fair shot at hitting the big time.
• Rolling the Dice on Professional Development: Boost advising skills with the latest models, AI-driven tools, and comprehensive training to keep ahead of the curve.
• Betting on Innovation: Original programs and creative strategies that help students hit the jackpot and thrive in the ever-evolving world of pre-health advising.
• Current Trends on the Strip: Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and changes in health professions to ensure advice is always in tune with the high stakes of the field.

For questions about WAAHP 2025, please email WAAHP2025@gmail.com.

Proposal Details & Instructions

New topics and presenters are encouraged for submission!

New in 2025! We are seeking proposals for facilitated roundtable discussions. These sessions are designed to be interactive, allowing participants to discuss common advising challenges, share ideas, and explore innovative practices together. Potential ideas include: how advisors could use artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes, strategies for supporting diverse student populations, best practices for virtual advising, and methods for enhancing student engagement. Expertise not necessary here – this format is great if you simply have an interest in the topic and a desire to facilitate the discussion. Please note that rooms hosting the facilitated roundtables will have limited technology (microphone only) to support these more conversational sessions.

For all proposals, be prepared to submit:

• Type - presentation, poster, roundtable
• Title (max 100 characters)
• Abstract - short description (max 500 characters)
• Introduction / Background - full description and context (max 1325 characters)
• Goals / Objectives (max 500 characters)
• Category (see above) and Tags / Keywords
• Preferences for content delivery (room format, etc.)

Proposal Review

The WAAHP Program Committee will review all proposals. New topics and presenters are encouraged for submission. Each presentation proposal will be evaluated on the degree to which they meet the following criteria: 

• Relevance to NAAHP mission and vision statement
• Ability to capture audience interest by addressing timely topics with creative approaches or introducing innovative concepts that advance the field
• Professional explanation of your presentation abstract, description, goals and objectives

Technical Instructions

Step 1: Create an Account

Please note that even if you have created an account for a previous conference or meeting, everyone will need to create a new account to WAAHP 2025.  You can, however, re-use your previous login credentials to create the new account.

• Click Log In (located at the top-right of the website)
• Click Need to create an account?
• Another window will open with a link for Account creation

Step 2: Submit Your Proposal for the 2025 WAAHP Regional Meeting

• After you are logged in, click on the Submit a Proposal button (below) to get started
• Complete all fields with an asterisk (*)
• Click Submit

Need to leave the application to return at a later time? 

• Click Save and feel free to leave the site
• When you are ready to continue, return to this site and click Log In
• Click My Submissions and Edit

We look forward to reviewing your proposal!  

WAAHP 2025 Planning Team:

Katherine Brackmann, Gonzaga University | Chair

Kristi Weddige, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | Assistant Chair

Okezie Aruoma, California State University Los Angeles; Melyssa Barrera, University of Nevada Las Vegas; Jane Byrnes, Colorado College; Emil Chuck, Health Professional Student Association; Erin Colburn, College of Western Idaho; Susie Fang, Claremont McKenna College; Neti Gupta, University of Arizona; Kayla Johnson, Arizona State University; Courtney Klipp, Loyola Marymount University; Tina Krauss, Washington State University; Kristen Labrecque, University of Washington Bothell; Juana Martinez, Northern Arizona University; Brandy Schaal, California State University Fullerton; Douglas Watson, Utah Valley University