Mark E. Josephson Abstract Competition & VT Innovation Award

Share your Research with Colleagues and Leading Experts in Electrophysiology!

We invite current EP fellows and early-career EPs (electrophysiologists within three years of completing training) to submit abstracts on any aspect of diagnosing or treating ventricular arrhythmias. A panel of the meeting organizers will evaluate the abstracts. The authors of the top five abstracts will be invited to the symposium, with travel and lodging expenses covered. The two best abstracts will be presented during the Mark E. Josephson Abstract Competition & VT Innovation Award session on Saturday, October 11th. The author of the winning abstract will receive a $1000 prize and a plaque to recognize their achievement and commemorate the event. The three runners-up will present their work as posters at the Welcome Cocktail Reception, held on Friday, October 10th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM EST at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Additionally, each of the top five abstracts will be published in an issue of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

Please submit your original research abstract for a chance to present it to thousands of colleagues worldwide. Clinical studies, basic science investigations, or preclinical studies related to diagnosing or treating ventricular arrhythmias are considered original research. Abstracts must present original research but may include parts of previous abstracts and/or manuscripts presented elsewhere.

Top 2 Abstracts: The authors of the top two abstracts will be invited to present their research during the Mark E. Josephson Abstract Competition & VT Innovation Award Session on Saturday, October 11th, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The author of the winning abstract will receive a $1,000 prize and a plaque to recognize their outstanding achievement, while the runners-up will each receive a $500 prize.

3 Runners-up: The authors of the three runners-up abstracts will be invited to participate in the Poster Session during the Welcome Cocktail Reception, which will be held on Friday, October 10th, from approximately 6:30 to 7:30 PM EST at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Additionally, each of the five top abstracts will be published in an issue of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, further recognizing the value of your research to the scientific community.

Access Abstract Finalists Participation Details >>

Abstract Submission Policy and Guideline Summary.
Before submission, please review the following policy, as well as travel, accommodations, and reimbursement information.

Submission Deadline: September 7, 2005

Abstract Composition: Abstracts should present original research in clinical studies, basic science investigations, or preclinical studies related to diagnosing or treating ventricular arrhythmias. Portions of previous abstracts and manuscripts presented elsewhere are allowed.
The abstract character limit is 5,000 characters, including spaces. Figures and tables can be included, but each counts for 500 characters.
Abstracts should be submitted in English.
Abstracts should be organized with the title, author list, and affiliation(s) above the body of the abstract. An anonymized version will be prepared for the course co-directors’ review.
Notification: A decision will be sent directly to the email address used for submission by mid-September.
Eligibility: current EP fellows and early career EPs (electrophysiologists within 3 years of completing training)
Exclusions: Paid employees of companies that manufacture and/or distribute medical devices, equipment, or pharmaceutical agents are not eligible to participate.
In-person attendance required: The Abstract Finalists must be present at the symposium to present their work, as virtual participation is not permitted. The top five abstract submitters will receive a scholarship covering registration, a two-night hotel stay at the host hotel (October 9th and 10th), and reimbursement for coach/economy air travel. Please review the Travel, Accommodations, and Reimbursement section below.

Abstract Submission: Download and complete the application, and email it along with the abstract and current CV to: . Please include "VT symposium 2025 abstract competition" in the subject line.

Download Abstract Competition Application >>

Travel, Accommodations, and Reimbursement

The organizers will reimburse the top 5 abstract authors for coach airfare up to $800 USD, upon providing the required documentation and receipts for reimbursable airport transportation.
Recipients who choose to drive to the Conference will be reimbursed for mileage at the current government rate.

Hotel Room Reservations

The organizers will cover the cost of two nights' stay at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (room and tax only) on Thursday, October 9^th, and Friday, October 10^th.

Non-reimbursable expenses

Local transportation
Meals outside of the course functions
Guests' travel and expenses
Extra-person charges at the hotel
Cancellation fees charged by hotel or airline
Miscellaneous Expenses

Cancellation Policy

Abstract finalists will be required to submit a cancellation request immediately.
Recipients will not be reimbursed for any expenses—including transportation and hotel cancellation fees—if attendance is canceled.

Questions and Assistance:

Abstract Finalists Participation Details

Top 2 Abstracts Authors
Besides being published in an issue of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, the authors of the top 2 abstracts will be invited to present their research at the Mark E. Josephson Abstract Competition & VT Innovation Award Session on Saturday, October 11th, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize and a plaque to honor their outstanding achievement.

Your presentation should be no longer than 9 minutes to allow 3 minutes for questions afterward.
Please bring your presentation on a flash drive to the speaker-ready room at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
You will present through the master conference laptop directly from the podium.
The overall winner of the abstract competition will be announced after the Program Directors have deliberated briefly. The winner will be presented with a plaque to commemorate their achievement and invited to say a few words.

Poster Session Details

The authors of the three runner-up abstracts will be invited to participate in the Poster Session during the Welcome Cocktail Reception, which will be held on Friday, October 10th, from approximately 6:30 to 7:30 PM EST, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The Poster Presentation will include a visual display of your research highlights on a single 36-inch by 48-inch poster, along with an interpersonal question-and-answer session. An effective poster presentation should be clear, focused, and concise. We ask that you be available during the designated poster session to discuss methods and results with interested visitors and colleagues.

When developing the poster, please include a title and author name(s) and affiliations; and either (1) an introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion (if original research) or (2) an introduction, case presentation/details, discussion and/or conclusion (if a case series or report).
You are welcome to include figures and tables on your poster. There is no word count or figure/table limit, but everything must fit on a single 36-in × 48-in poster.

About

As a tribute to the late pioneer, Dr. Mark E. Josephson, the VT Symposium organizers created the Annual Mark Josephson Innovations in VT Abstract Competition Award, which recognizes novel research in the diagnosis or treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.

Dr. Mark Josephson was a transformational figure in the field of cardiac electrophysiology and a pioneer in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Dr. Josephson dedicated his career to improving the lives of patients suffering from arrhythmia disorders and to training subsequent generations of electrophysiologists. His book, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology: Techniques and Interpretations, is the definitive text on the subject. Born in New York City in 1943, Dr. Josephson graduated from Trinity College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York and his fellowship in cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He spent two years as a research associate at Staten Island Public Health Service Hospital, where many of his innovative ideas were first put into practice in collaboration with cardiologists there.

Dr. Josephson contributed both clinically and scientifically to the community of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, ascending the faculty ranks to become Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in 1981. In 1992 he became the director of the Harvard-Thorndike Arrhythmia Institute and in 2001, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Throughout his career, Dr. Josephson was devoted to teaching and training the next generation of cardiac electrophysiologists. His nurturing of his fellows who became life-long friends, produced the second generation of clinical electrophysiologists that have made many important contributions of their own to the growth of clinical EP. They now have their own students entering the world of electrophysiology, with these generations ensuring the legacy of Dr. Josephson’s legacy will long-endure.