Conference Registration

• In-person registration and badge pickup will open Tuesday, June 2nd at 4:00PM and remain open until 5:00PM. Additional registration will be available Wednesday, June 3rd from 7:00-8:45AM.

Conference Venue

• The 2026 Rural Health and Cancer Conference will be held at Hotel Champlain in Burlington, Vermont. 

Getting To and From the Airport

• Burlington is a relatively small airport. Uber and Lyft both offer rides from the airport. In addition, there are also taxis available. There is a city bus that runs to and from the airport, but it isn’t always the most consistent. More information available here.

Things to Do in Burlington - Hello Burlington is a great resource for both things to do and places to eat. 

Registration for the 2026 Rural Health and Cancer Conference will open in early February, 2026.

Trainees interested in a travel award should not complete registration for the conference until receiving a status update regarding your travel award application. 

Registration Includes:

• Welcome reception with keynote address on the evening of June 2nd
• Full access to all conference sessions
• Meals throughout the conference
• Lake Champlain dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen on the evening of June 3rd.

A detailed PDF Version of the 2026 Rural Health and Cancer Conference Agenda will be available in early February, 2026.

 Coming in early February 2026!

Abstract Submission will open in early February 2026. Abstracts are due March 2nd, 2026. 

A limited number of session and lightning talks will be selected from abstract submission. Session talks must fit one of the session themes and will be 15-minutes long. Lightning talks do not have to fit a specific theme and will be 5-minutes in length. 

The UVM Cancer Center is dedicated to supporting trainee career development. In alignment with this dedication, the Rural Health and Cancer Conference is pleased to offer competitive travel awards for trainees. Trainees include University students (undergraduate, medical, graduate), postdoctoral associates, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and clinical fellows. To be eligible for a travel award trainees must submit an abstract. An internal review committee will review abstracts for travel award consideration. 

Travel awards provide up to $500 towards travel and lodging expenses and include free registration. Registration fees will be reimbursed for selected trainees.

A limited number of guest rooms are reserved at Hotel Champlain at a discounted rate of $259 per night. *Room rate does not include fees or applicable taxes.

Additional hotels within walking distance of the conference venue include Hotel Vermont, Hilton Garden Inn, and Courtyard Burlington Harbor. 

The University of Vermont Cancer Center invites organizations to partner with us as sponsors of the second annual Rural Health and Cancer Conference. 

Sponsorship directly supports essential event costs, including speaker honoraria, venue space, and educational materials, ensuring that this important gathering can reach its full impact.

For questions or to secure your sponsorship, please contact crtec@med.uvm.edu.

The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships operates alongside the Office of Engagement with the mission to build collaborations between the University of Vermont and state partners for the benefit of our rural places. 

We envision a future in which all Vermont communities have an opportunity to thrive, and we believe that strong UVM-Community partnerships can play a vital role in achieving that future. To help build those partnerships, the Leahy Institute connects interested parties with a wide range of UVM resources, including: 

• Financial and technical assistance 

• Faculty expertise and research 

• Student projects and internships 

• Startup and innovation programs 

• Service and community-focused learning programs 

This work takes several forms including Grants, Engagement Initiatives, and Convenings. 

To learn more, visit the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships website

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the global leader and innovator in creating a world without blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. LLS is focused on accelerating research, providing free support, education and services, and advocating for policies to ensure access to quality, affordable care. Committed to health equity, LLS works to eliminate barriers to care and address the unique needs of underserved communities, guided by a mission that reflects the diversity of those it serves. 

For more information on blood cancer support, information and resources, visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website