UMSOP Highlights the Growing Role of HEOR at ISPOR 2026
By Taraneh Mousavi, PharmD – PhD candidate in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Alumni and Public Relations Chair of the UMB ISPOR Student Chapter.
The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) had a strong and meaningful presence at ISPOR 2026 in Philadelphia, May 17– 20, bringing the conference theme, “HEOR at the Forefront of Policy, Access, and Value” to life.
As health care continues to move toward more patient-centered, evidence-based decision-making, UMSOP’s contributions showed the critical role of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) experts in translating evidence into decisions across the health care system and product life cycle.
Through UMSOP’s Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) ISPOR Student Chapter, faculty, students, and alumni contributed a remarkable 22 scientific presentations across posters, podium sessions, issue panels, workshops, and a forum.
The research presented addressed timely topics in pricing and reimbursement policy, health equity and affordability, real-world evidence methods, health technology assessment, artificial intelligence, access to innovative therapies, and treatment utilization patterns.
“Attending ISPOR 2026 was a meaningful opportunity to learn from faculty, students, alumni, and HEOR professionals. It was inspiring to see strong engagement across presentations, the Quiz Bowl, the alumni luncheon, and workshops,” said Leo Chen, secretary of the UMB ISPOR Student Chapter.
Women in HEOR Initiative
The energy of ISPOR extended far beyond the presentation rooms. The Women in HEOR initiative dine-arounds, co-hosted by Julia Slejko, PhD, associate professor of P-SHOR and director of the PHSR Graduate Program, and Eberechukwu Onukwugha, PhD, professor of P-SHOR and executive director of UMSOP’s Pharmaceutical Research Computing, also created an inspiring space for conversations about mentorship, leadership, visibility, and the role of women in shaping the future of HEOR.
PHSR Graduate Program Alumni and Friends Reception at ISPOR
What made the conference especially memorable was the School of Pharmacy’s Alumni and Friends Luncheon, which brought together alumni, faculty, students, fellows, and friends for an afternoon of connection, mentorship, and celebration. It felt like more than a conference gathering; it felt like the UMSOP family coming together to celebrate where we are, how far we have come, and the bright future being shaped within our community.
“We look forward to this annual gathering as an opportunity to reconnect, share updates, and celebrate the accomplishments of our community over the past year,” said Slejko, who also serves as faculty advisor to the UMB ISPOR Student Chapter. “This year we were especially pleased to recognize our incredible alumni and to welcome UMSOP Dean Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, and Ken Boyden, JD, EdD, associate dean for development and alumni affairs.
“Events like this are an important reminder of the extraordinary reach and impact of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy community,” said Michel. “I am incredibly proud of the leadership and influence of our pharmaceutical health services research community across health economics and outcomes research, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmaceutical policy, patient-centered outcomes research, and comparative effectiveness research. At a time when conversations around value, access, affordability, real-world evidence, and the patient experience are more important than ever, our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and collaborators continue to help shape those conversations in meaningful ways.”
As we left Philadelphia, we carried new ideas, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. ISPOR 2026 reminded us that the future of HEOR will be shaped not only by strong evidence, but also by the communities that mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders.
“It was an absolute privilege to work alongside our student chapter and advisor to host nearly 70 alumni and friends for this year’s luncheon,” said John Kim, president of the UMB ISPOR Student Chapter. “We were so happy to provide a platform for people to catch up and make new connections in our community, and it seems that our presence in ISPOR only continues to grow each year.”
Building the Next Generation of HEOR Experts
The UMB ISPOR Student Chapter is a student-led organization dedicated to advancing HEOR through professional development, research engagement, networking, and mentorship. Its mission is to create a collaborative space where students can build HEOR skills, connect with professionals across sectors, and grow as future leaders in evidence-based health care decision-making.
Membership is open to any UMB student interested in this field. For more information on becoming a member, contact John Kim, 2025-2026 president of the UMB ISPOR Student Chapter, at hkim4@umaryland.edu or join us on LinkedIn.
