Discuss: Join Us for Live Talks During World Coma Day
World Coma Day will feature live discussions with world-leading experts! Our 2026 feature speakers are below:
Join us via Zoom throughout World Coma Day to participate in the following live discussions, led by leading experts in the neurocritical care field! Discussions will be led by the Neurocritical Care Society's regional chapter leaders on topics important to their region and field of study.
Register and add to your calendar today!
All donors are automatically registered.
Use our World Coma Day Zoom Background for our Virtual Sessions!
Live Session |
Speakers |
Time (GMT) |
Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Session 1: Kickoff - World Coma Trivia |
Claude Hemphill DaiWai Olson Sara Stern-Nezer |
22 March |
21 March |
|
Session 2: Coma Across Borders: Middle East Perspectives The four questions cover: (1) how the first 24-48 hours of coma workup looks in your institution, (2) misconceptions and cultural dynamics around coma in your country, (3) prognostication and goals of care conversations with families, and (4) one thing you would change about coma care in your setting. |
Jamil Dibu (UAE) |
22 March 7:00 AM |
22 March 3:00 AM |
| Session 3: South American Regional Chapter | Walter Videtta, Jose Moretti, and Regional Chapter |
22 March
1:00 PM
|
22 March
8:00 AM
|
|
Session 4: Journal Club: ISICEM Disorders of Consciousness Roundtable |
Sarah Wahlster, Yelena Bodien, Giuseppe Citerio, Chiara Robba, Virginia Newcombe; moderated by Nick Murray
|
22 March |
22 March |
|
Session 5: Consciousness Prognostication Consortium |
David Fischer |
22 March |
22 March |
|
Session 6: North & Central America Regional Chapter |
Francis Bernard, Jeff Singh and Regional Chapter | 22 March 6:00 PM |
22 March 3:00 PM |
|
Session 7: Special Lecture: External Hydrocephalus |
Laurent Gergelé; moderated by Francis Bernard |
22 March |
22 March |
| Session 8: Asia Oceania Regional Chapter | Oliver Flower, Andrew Cheng and Regional Chapter | 22 March 10:00 PM |
22 March 6:00 PM |
Can't join us on March 22nd?
Join us on Tuesday, March 24th for a special session hosted by Johns Hopkins
Dignity in Silence: Systematic Approaches to Humanism and Ethics in Disorders of Consciousness
Tuesday, March 24th, 12pm CT
Humanism in medicine emphasizes the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care that upholds dignity, autonomy, and individual identity. Nowhere is this more important than in the neurocritical care unit, where many patients experience disorders of consciousness (DoC) and are unable to speak for themselves. Incorporating humanism into clinical decision-making in this setting can foster more thoughtful, ethical, and person-centered care. This World Coma Day session will explore four structured and systematic approaches to integrating humanism into care and research for patients with severe acute brain injuries (SABI), with an emphasis on communication, family engagement, narrative, and ethical reflection. Each presentation will highlight a different dimension of this mission, followed by a 30-minute moderated Q&A session to deepen discussion and audience engagement.
Register Here
Join us in Chicago for an in-person lecture at the International Museum of Surgical Science
Coma: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What Can Be Done
Dr. Benjamin Meyer
Sunday, March 22nd, 11:00am-1:00pm
Check-In at 10:30am
Free with RSVP*
World Coma Day is March 22. Come be part of this day of awareness, education, and advocacy with a session from 11 AM - 1 PM at the International Museum of Surgical Science. Dr. Ben Meyer from the University of Chicago will talk about "Coma: What it is, why it happens, and what can be done.” Learn about consciousness, coma, and the brain from members from the Curing Coma Campaign and the Neurocritical Care Society.
About the speaker:
Benjamin Meyer is a neurologist and a neuro-intensivist in training. He cares for patients with coma and is involved in clinical research understanding coma. He is particularly interested in how intentional communication with patients and families impacts perception of disease and what is possible for patients with neurological illness.
Museum admission may be required.