We are excited to invite abstract submissions for the 2025 National Society of Allied Health (NSAH) Annual Conference, which will center around the theme “Access and Opportunities for Minority Allied Health Professionals.” As the healthcare landscape evolves, it is critical to address the barriers and opportunities that impact minority professionals within allied health, ensuring that our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

Minority representation in the allied health professions remains a pressing issue. Research continues to show that healthcare teams with greater diversity lead to improved patient outcomes and better address the social determinants of health, particularly in underserved populations (Andermann, 2016). However, minority students and professionals face significant challenges, including limited access to educational opportunities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and systemic barriers that affect career progression (Soller et al., 2022).

This conference provides a platform for discussing strategies to overcome these obstacles and for showcasing innovations that create a more inclusive and equitable workforce. We invite submissions that explore solutions and research on expanding access to allied health education, improving recruitment and retention of minority professionals, and developing policies that promote equity and inclusion.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (JEDIB)
• Addressing Workforce Dilemmas: Tackling faculty shortages, recruitment, and retention of students.
• Innovations in Allied Health Disciplines: Emerging fields and their impact on healthcare.
• Social Determinants of Health: Exploring how these factors influence health outcomes in underrepresented communities.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: The role of AI in education, patient care, and health disparities.
• Workforce Well-Being: Strategies for maintaining work-life balance and managing stress, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Technology in Allied Health: Its influence on education and patient care, and its potential to impact social determinants of health.
• Transitioning from Student to Practitioner: Supporting the professional journey of allied health graduates.
• Sustainability of Allied Health Professional Organizations: Ensuring the future relevance and value of professional organizations in our field.

Research shows that addressing the lack of diversity in healthcare is essential for improving healthcare equity and reducing health disparities. For example, initiatives aimed at increasing minority representation in health professions have demonstrated positive impacts on patient trust and engagement in care (Stanford, 2020). Now more than ever, we must create actionable solutions that foster both access and professional development for minority allied health practitioners.
We invite faculty, students, and practitioners to submit abstracts that showcase research, case studies, innovative solutions, or best practices that contribute to the advancement of allied health.