Restoring the Core of Clinical Practice
2027 National Meeting of the American Balint Society
Washington University
St. Louis, Missouri
April 14 - 16, 2027
Early Registration Deadline: December 15, 2026
Registration Closes: February 25, 2027
Plenary Speaker
As dean and vice president, Jacobs leads the clinical, academic and
research areas of the School of Medicine. She chairs the SLUCare Governing Board and sits on the board of the St. Louis Integrated Health Network. She also co-chairs the Research Growth Steering Committee of the School of Medicine and the Applied Health Research Council.
In 2011, Jacobs founded the SLU Family Medicine Residency in St. Louis, which prepares residents for a wide range of practice, with special emphasis on urban underserved community health. The program has become nationally known for its curriculum, and in 2017, received the Focus St. Louis Award for Improving Racial Equality and Social Justice in the St. Louis region.
Jacobs earned her M.D. from Vanderbilt University and completed her family medicine residency at Brown University. While in medical school, Jacobs worked in Appalachia and in a bush clinic in Senegal. She later practiced family medicine in a rural federally qualified health center. She also spent 19 years as a faculty member at Rush University and the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Jacobs’ scholarship is in medical education, clinical medicine, and the integration of behavioral and physical health. She is board certified in family medicine and geriatrics, and among other honors, was named as a St. Louis Best Doctor in Geriatrics multiple years.
Call for Papers
The American Balint Society (ABS) was founded in 1990 to explore and promote the therapeutic potential of clinician-patient relationships. The 2027 ABS National Meeting, Restoring the Core of Clinical Practice, invites practitioners to explore how Balint groups restore and promote the diagnostic and healing power of these relationships. We hope to hear lessons learned from past experiences in Balint groups and collaboratively discover innovative ways to fortify clinician-patient relationships against the sometimes corrosive effects of modern medical practice.
Submission Deadline: September 1, 2026
Enid Balint Essay Contest
One of the highlights of the ABS National Meeting is the presentation of the winning essays from the Enid Balint Essay Contest. Students and trainees are encouraged to submit their essays describing an actual relationship between a learner and their patient, reflecting on the nature of that relationship and how the learner's future role may have been influenced.
Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026
Arts & Humanities Salon
Registration Fees
For those joining us in St. Louis, registration is limited to 50 participants. Previous conferences have filled before the registration deadline, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
Single Registration:
$700 by December 15, 2026; $750 regular rate
ABS Member Registration:
$625 by December 15, 2026; $675 regular rate
Residents, students, fellows receive a reduced rate:
$475 with no early registration differential.
- Four (4) longitudinal Balint Group sessions.
- Paper presentations and workshops.
- Enid Balint Essay Winner Presentations.
- Continuing education credit (APA and AAFP/AMA).
- Opportunities for networking and relaxation in a beautiful environment.
- Gala dinner, two breakfasts and one lunch.
Virtual Registration
We are pleased to announce there is a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. The Virtual Congress will provide four (4) longitudinal Balint Groups (all groups offered in Central time), as well as livestreaming of paper presentations and continuing education credit (APA and AAFP/AMA).
- Non-Member Registration: $525
- ABS Member Registration: $450
- Residents, students, fellows receive a reduced rate: $350
Cancellation Policy
Registrants wishing to cancel their registration must do so in writing by the cancellation deadline: February 25, 2027. For cancellations received by the cancellation date, $100 of the registration fee will be withheld for administrative fees, and the refund will occur within 30 days of acknowledgment of cancellation. For cancellations received after the deadline, no refunds will be available.
Welcome to St. Louis
Conveniently located in the heart of Washington University, the Charles F. Knight Conference Center is adjacent to Forest P
ark. The park is spread over 190 acres, with over 30 miles of walking paths, and is home to the St. Louis Museum of Art and the St. Louis Zoo.
If the hustle and bustle of the city is more appealing, downtown is 30 minutes by light rail. Take in the sights by visiting the Gateway Arch, the Fox Theatre, and a wide array of museums, music venues, craft breweries, and fine dining.
Transportation options include rideshare, taxi (15-20 mins) and lightrail (about an hour).
Hotel Reservation
In reserving your room via the link below, you're getting the best possible rate and helping us fulfill our contractual obligation with the hotel. Rooms booked through other methods will not be protected by our cancellation policy with the hotel. The conference rate of $199/night plus tax is available April 13 - 16, 2027.
Reservation deadline: February 27, 2027
Target Audience
This conference is appropriate for clinicians at all levels of experience with the Balint Group method. It provides the greatest concentration of research and scholarly activity involving Balint Groups.
The conference is well-suited to those who are currently leading, expect to lead in the future, or are seeking a better understanding of Balint Groups.
The program is appropriate for physicians and other clinicians such as physician associates and nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, other mental health care providers, veterinarians, educators and pastoral care providers.
Conference Goals
At the end of the conference, attendees will be able to:
- Describe benefits and challenges common to members and leaders of Balint Groups.
- Demonstrate greater understanding of clinician/patient relationships.
- Identify the effects of Balint Group participation on the professional skills and morale of clinicians, improving empathy and decreasing burnout.
- Define methods of introducing Balint Groups to various populations and settings.
Note: a complete list of learning objectives is available on request.
Grievance Policy
Any concerns should be brought to the attention of Mary Hall, Conference Director.
ABS Grievance PolicyContinuing Education
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.
AMA/AAFP Equivalency: AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed, not as Category 1.
The American Balint Society is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The American Balint Society maintains responsibility for this program and its content.