Join us for a premier gathering of the world’s leading hernia surgeons.
Thought leaders shaping the future of hernia care come together for a highly curated program of expert-led sessions, case-based discussions, and collaborative panels.
This immersive educational experience is built for surgeons committed to staying at the forefront of hernia repair. Attendees will gain evidence-driven insights and actionable techniques they can immediately apply in their practice.
The agenda spans the full continuum of care — from preoperative planning and procedural innovation to long-term outcomes and quality-of-life considerations — ensuring a comprehensive, modern approach to hernia management.
From breakthrough innovations in biomaterials to advanced techniques in complex abdominal wall reconstruction, this event is designed to challenge perspectives, elevate clinical decision-making, and inspire excellence in patient care.
Attendees will leave with high-impact insights, including:
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Data-Driven Decision Making
Leverage registry data (ACHQC) and real-world evidence to improve outcomes and benchmark performance.
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Advanced Surgical Techniques
Best practices in inguinal, ventral, parastomal, and hiatal hernia repair, including robotic and open approaches.
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Optimizing Complex Reconstruction
Strategies for abdominal wall reconstruction, including patient optimization, plane selection, and mesh selection.
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Innovation in Biomaterials & Technology
Emerging innovations in mesh technology, hemostatic solutions, and infection prevention.
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Improving Outcomes Beyond Recurrence
Integration of quality-of-life metrics, patient-reported outcomes, and long-term follow-up.
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Future-Focused Perspective
Emerging trends in hernia specialization, surgeon training, and the next generation of surgical innovation.
Faculty
Program Chair
B. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
Director of the Endeavor Comprehensive Abdominal Health and Hernia Center, Endeavor Health, Chicago, IL
Bola Aladegbami MD, MBA, FACS
Associate Professor Minimally Invasive Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Alisa Mae Coker MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery, Director of Robotic Surgery and Education, UT Austin Dell Medical School
Tanuja Damani MD, FACS
Chief of Surgical Services and Chief, Division of General Surgery, NYU Langone Health
Salvatore Docimo, Jr. DO, MBA, FACS, FASMBS
Professor of Surgery, USF College of Medicine; Section Chief, Abdominal Wall Surgery
Fernando Ferreira MD
Upper GI, Emergency & General Surgeon; Coordinator, Complex Abdominal Wall Surgery, Hospital CUF Porto, Portugal
John P. Fischer MD, MPH, FACS
Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Anthony Gonzalez MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM
Chief of Surgery, Baptist Hospital of Miami; Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health South Florida
William Hope MD, FACS
Adjunct Professor of Surgery, UNC–Chapel Hill; Academic Chair of Surgery, New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Caitlin Houghton MD
Keck Medicine of USC, Director of Robotic Surgery
George S. Hussey PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh Dept. of Surgery; Scientific Director, MIRM Histology Core
Amber Koon DO, FACS
Clinical Faculty, University of Pikeville; Chief of Surgery, Deacons Henderson Hospital
Stephen J. Kovach III MD, FACS
Herndon B. Lehr Endowed Professor of Surgery; Chief of Plastic Surgery, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Rockson Liu MD, FACS
Medical Director of Robotic Surgery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Oakland, CA
Christopher Macomber MD, MBA, FACS
Medical Director, Allina Health Robotic Surgery and Complex Hernia & Abdominal Reconstructive Surgery Programs
Salvador Morales-Conde MD
Head, Dept. of General and Digestive Surgery, University Hospital Virgen Macarena; Full Professor of Surgery, University of Seville
Vahagn Nikolian MD
Director of Abdominal Wall Surgery, NYU Langone Health
Sean Orenstein MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery, Hernia & Abdominal Wall Center, Oregon Health and Science University
Eric M. Pauli MD, FACS, FASGE, FEBSAWS (Hon.)
Chief, Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery; Director of Abdominal Wall Surgery
Catalina Pineda Molina BME, MSc, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Dept. of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
John R. Porterfield Jr. MD, MSPH, FACS
Professor of Surgery, Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Surgery, UAB Health System
J. Scott Roth MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery, Commonwealth Professor of Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Kentucky
Ian L. Valerio MD, MS, MBA, FACS
Professor, Dept. of Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
Rasa Zarnegar MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery, Director of Robotic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
BD Speakers
Amit Badhwar, PhD
Distinguished Fellow, Surgery Medical Affairs, BD
David P. Martin, PhD
Senior Director, R&D – Biomaterials Development, BD Interventional
Rian Seger
BD Interventional, WW President – Surgery
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dinner & General Session: Advancing Care Together
Moderator: B. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
Dinner & General Session: Advancing Care Together
Moderator: B. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
- Welcome & President’s AddressRian Seger – Worldwide President, BD Surgery
- Session Opening RemarksB. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
- From Registry to Results: Driving Quality Improvement Through ACHQCWilliam Hope, MD, FACS
- More Than Repair, More Than Possible: A Patient StoryVideo
- The Balance and Beauty of AWR: Restoring Core Dynamics and AestheticsFernando Ferreira, MD
- Redefining Hernia Repair Success Through Quality of LifeJohn P. Fischer, MD, MPH, FACS
- Community-Based Hernia Care, Clinical Decision-Making in PracticeAmber Koon, DO, FACS
- Defining Excellence in Hernia Care: Experience, Innovation, and the Future of CareB. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
7:05 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.
Inguinal
Moderator: Rockson Liu, MD, FACS
Inguinal
Moderator: Rockson Liu, MD, FACS
- The Role of Anatomy Mastery in Reducing RecurrenceJohn R. Porterfield Jr., MD, MSPH, FACS
- Defining the Single-Port Robotic Approach in Inguinal Hernia RepairAnthony Gonzalez, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM
- From Training to Practice: Transitioning to Single-Port Robotics in Inguinal RepairRockson Liu, MD, FACS
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
8:05 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Ventral
Moderator: John P. Fischer, MD, MPH, FACS
Ventral
Moderator: John P. Fischer, MD, MPH, FACS
- Before You Cut: Preoperative Strategies in Complex AWRSean Orenstein, MD, FACS
- Classifying the Hernia, Defining the RepairSalvatore Docimo Jr., DO, MBA, FACS, FASMBS
- Resorbable Mesh in Complex Ventral Hernia: Where Does It Fit Today?Vahagn Nikolian, MD
- Open Approach in Complex AWR: When and Why It MattersBola Aladegbami, MD, MBA
- Beyond Defect Size: Individualizing Umbilical Hernia RepairAlisa Mae Coker, MD, FACS
- Beyond the Midline: Mastering Parastomal Hernia Repair with the Sugarbaker TechniqueEric M. Pauli, MD, FACS, FASGE
- From Technique to Execution: Real-World Strategies in Parastomal Hernia RepairChristopher Macomber, MD, MBA, FACS
- Plane Selection in Complex Reconstruction: Getting It Right the First TimeJohn P. Fischer, MD, MPH, FACS
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
10:25 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Science
Moderator: Amit Badhwar, PhD
Science
Moderator: Amit Badhwar, PhD
- What’s Next in Biomaterials: Balancing Synthetic and Resorbable Solutions in AWRAmit Badhwar, PhD
- Helping the Body Heal: The Role of Biomaterials in Hernia RepairCatalina Pineda Molina, BME, MSc, PhD
- Antimicrobial Peptides in Practice: Why They Matter in Abdominal Wall ReconstructionGeorge S. Hussey, PhD
- Panel Discussion and Q&ASession speakers plus J. Scott Roth, MD, FACS & David Martin, PhD
11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Lunch
Lunch
12:20 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Restoration
Moderator: Ian Valerio, MD, MS, MBA, FACS
Restoration
Moderator: Ian Valerio, MD, MS, MBA, FACS
- Modern AWR: My Approach to Complex Hernia RepairJ. Scott Roth, MD, FACS
- Reconstruction Beyond the Repair: Restoring Form and Function in Complex Abdominal Wall CasesIan L. Valerio, MD, MS, MBA, FACS
- Diastasis Recti: When Is It Functional vs. Aesthetic and When Should We Fix It?Stephen J. Kovach III, MD, FACS
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
1:15 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Hiatal
Moderator: Caitlin Houghton, MD
Hiatal
Moderator: Caitlin Houghton, MD
- To Mesh or Not to Mesh: Pre and Intraoperative ParametersSalvador Morales-Conde, MD
- Mesh in Hiatal Hernia Repair: Evidence, Outcomes, and Evolving PracticeRasa Zarnegar, MD, FACS
- Beyond Recurrence: Measuring Success After Hiatal Hernia RepairCaitlin Houghton, MD
- Hiatal Hernia Repair Video Case: Moderated LiveTanuja Damani, MD, FACS
- Panel Discussion and Q&A
2:10 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Key Takeaways & Closing Remarks
B. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
Key Takeaways & Closing Remarks
B. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, FBCS
