Accreditation Information

AAGL is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AAGL designates this live activity for a maximum of 21 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABOG MOC Credits: Diplomates who complete this approved quality improvement activity are eligible to receive Part IV Practice Improvement credit for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) Continuing Certification (CC) program: https://www.abog.org/maintenance-of-certification/bulletins.

ADA Statement: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact CMEsupport@aagl.org should you require any special assistance.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will recognize this educational activity. To apply for cognates, please use the "Submit Cognate Activity" button on the ACOG website at: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/cme-program/cognate-program.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ toward recertification requirements. Please check with your state licensing board for more information.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME. Please check with your state licensing board for more information.

International Attendees
International physicians and healthcare professionals attending the AAGL Global Congress from outside the United States may be eligible to claim AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Many countries recognize these credits through agreements between their national accrediting bodies and U.S. based organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Please visit this link for more information:https://accme.org/about-accreditation/countries-accepting-accme-accredited-cme/.

Continuing Medical Education
This symbol indicates a postgraduate course or session that qualifies for CME credit.

By developing educational courses in minimally invasive gynecology (MIG) we hope to increase the use of MIG and reduce morbidity and complication rates associated with these procedures.

Congress Educational Content:
The AAGL 55th Annual Global Congress on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS), to be held November 13-16, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts, is designed to provide physicians and other healthcare professionals with comprehensive, evidence-based education in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and longitudinal management of complex gynecologic conditions. The Congress emphasizes the appropriate use of minimally invasive, multidisciplinary, and outcomes-driven approaches to care. Through postgraduate courses, general sessions, scientific presentations, main stage debates, multidisciplinary panels, Pioneers and Trailblazers programming, Rising Stars sessions, surgical tutorials, MedTalks, video sessions, simulation laboratories, patient-centered educational forums, and interactive learning experiences, the Congress promotes continued professional development and advances clinical judgment, patient safety, shared decision-making, research translation, and the delivery of high-quality care.

The educational program reflects the evolving needs of physicians by addressing not only advances in surgical techniques, but also diagnostic reasoning, patient selection, comparative effectiveness, complication prevention, perioperative management, fertility and reproductive decision-making, chronic pelvic pain, health equity, access to specialty care, and the measurement of meaningful patient outcomes. Educational content is developed through a rigorous peer-review process by the Scientific Program Committee to ensure scientific integrity, clinical relevance, educational value, and alignment with identified professional practice gaps.

Consistent with the 2026 Congress theme, Empowering Women's Voices: Surgical Excellence, Digital Transformation & Outcomes-Driven Care. Advancing Awareness, Access & Autonomy Worldwide, the educational program positions surgical excellence within a broader framework of evidence-based practice, digital innovation, patient autonomy, and outcomes-driven decision-making. The program is designed to help learners translate emerging evidence and new research into individualized care strategies while identifying unanswered clinical questions that should guide future investigation and advance the field of gynecologic surgery.

New for 2026, the Congress will include an accredited patient educational forum that brings together physicians, patients, multidisciplinary clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates to explore the patient experience in the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and related gynecologic conditions. This innovative educational offering integrates the patient voice into physician education, reinforces the importance of awareness and access, and supports shared decision-making, patient autonomy, and outcome measures that reflect what matters most to patients.

Practice Gap:
The professional practice gap extends beyond the acquisition of minimally invasive surgical technique. Many physicians complete formal Ob/Gyn residency training with variable exposure to advanced gynecologic conditions, evolving evidence, complex clinical decision-making, multidisciplinary care models, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. Once in practice, gynecologists may have limited access to structured education, mentorship, peer discussion, and research updates that support evidence-based, patient-centered, and outcomes-driven care.

Additionally, many gynecologists do not perform a sufficient annual volume of complex minimally invasive procedures or encounter the full spectrum of challenging clinical scenarios needed to independently maintain proficiency in advanced operative management, complication prevention, and surgical judgment. The AAGL Annual Global Congress provides formal educational opportunities through postgraduate courses, surgical tutorials, simulation laboratories, hands-on workshops, debates, panel discussions, scientific presentations, patient-centered forums, and interactive educational sessions that enable physicians to strengthen existing skills, acquire new competencies, critically appraise evidence, refine clinical decision-making, and learn from internationally recognized experts.

Educational content encompasses laparoscopic, robotic, hysteroscopic, vaginal, vNOTES, reproductive, urogynecologic, fertility-preserving, selected oncologic and risk-reducing, office-based, and multidisciplinary approaches to complex gynecologic care. Topics include, but are not limited to, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic floor disorders, Mullerian anomalies, adnexal pathology, infertility, menopause-related conditions, complex reproductive surgery, advanced imaging, surgical innovation, digital transformation, research methodology, quality improvement, and outcomes measurement.

The Congress also addresses the expanding body of evidence supporting individualized treatment planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered care, and responsible innovation. Learners are provided with opportunities to evaluate emerging technologies, clinical controversies, research findings, practice guidelines, and implementation strategies that may improve the quality, safety, equity, and effectiveness of gynecologic care.

This continuing medical education is particularly important because minimally invasive approaches, when appropriately selected and safely performed, have consistently demonstrated improved patient outcomes, including reductions in postoperative pain, blood loss, complications, length of hospital stay, recovery time, morbidity, and mortality when compared with more invasive surgical approaches. However, optimal care depends not only on technical execution, but also on accurate diagnosis, evidence-based indications, thoughtful selection among surgical and non-surgical options, multidisciplinary coordination, patient preferences, and meaningful assessment of outcomes. Continuing education enables physicians to evaluate current evidence, incorporate advances in clinical practice where appropriate, and provide individualized care that reflects each patient's values, needs, risks, and treatment goals.

Professional Gap Analysis:
MIGS procedures are intended to preserve or improve women's quality of life through less invasive approaches that reduce pain, trauma, recovery time, and complications while improving functional, reproductive, and long-term outcomes. Optimizing patient safety and clinical outcomes requires lifelong learning beyond residency through continuing education, advanced training, mentorship, critical appraisal of evidence, outcomes measurement, and ongoing clinical experience. Rapid advances in surgical technology, instrumentation, robotics, imaging, artificial intelligence, digital health, and data science continue to influence the practice of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. At the same time, physicians must remain current with evolving evidence related to diagnosis, patient selection, comparative effectiveness, fertility preservation, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, menopause, pelvic floor disorders, and other complex gynecologic conditions. Continuing medical education provides an opportunity for physicians to critically evaluate these advances, distinguish innovation from proven value, and determine how best to incorporate new knowledge into clinical practice.

Variation in surgical training, operative volume, procedural complexity, institutional resources, referral pathways, and access to advanced educational opportunities continue to contribute to differences in physician competence, surgical judgment, and clinical performance. The AAGL Annual Global Congress provides physicians with opportunities to refine technical skills where appropriate, strengthen clinical judgment, evaluate current evidence, discuss difficult cases and controversies, build mentorship networks, and learn from internationally recognized faculty representing diverse areas of expertise.

In addition to advances in surgical techniques, today's gynecologic surgeon must communicate effectively with patients, collaborate with multidisciplinary care teams, interpret evolving research, incorporate evidence-based recommendations, and measure outcomes that are meaningful to patients and health systems. By addressing these educational needs, the Congress seeks to improve physician competence, enhance clinical performance, promote research-informed practice, and ultimately improve patient outcomes through the delivery of high-quality, equitable, patient-centered care.

Cultural and Linguistic Competency Gap Analysis:
The following Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CLC) Gap Analysis is included in accordance with California continuing medical education requirements and reflects AAGL's commitment to promoting equitable, culturally responsive, linguistically appropriate, and patient-centered care for all populations.

Despite advances in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, many women continue to experience delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, limited awareness of available treatment options, inconsistent referral pathways, and barriers to accessing specialty care for benign gynecologic conditions such as endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and uterine fibroids. Variability in patient education, language access, health literacy, communication, cultural responsiveness, insurance coverage, geographic access, and shared decision-making may contribute to disparities in timely diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, participation in research, and overall health outcomes. Educational opportunities addressing patient engagement, awareness, access to care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the patient experience remain essential components of improving equitable healthcare delivery.

Best practice includes providing equitable, patient-centered care through evidence-based communication, shared decision-making, multidisciplinary collaboration, and timely access to appropriate specialty care. Physicians should recognize barriers that may influence diagnosis, treatment, research participation, and long-term management while incorporating patient perspectives, cultural considerations, language needs, individual treatment goals, and lived experience into clinical decision-making. The 2026 AAGL Global Congress addresses these needs through educational content focused on awareness, access, patient autonomy, communication, community engagement, multidisciplinary care, and the inaugural GYNAWARENESS Patient Forum, which integrates the patient voice into physician education to improve healthcare delivery, research priorities, and outcomes.

Planning the Intervention:
The AAGL Annual Global Congress is designed to address identified educational gaps through a comprehensive educational program that incorporates a variety of instructional methodologies to enhance physician knowledge, competence, clinical judgment, and performance. The Scientific Program Committee develops the educational program through a rigorous peer-review process that evaluates submitted content for scientific quality, educational merit, clinical relevance, balance, innovation, and alignment with the educational needs of physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of women with complex gynecologic conditions.

The Congress provides learners with opportunities to expand their knowledge, judgment, research literacy, and technical expertise through postgraduate courses, general sessions, scientific presentations, main stage debates, panel discussions, Pioneers and Trailblazers programming, Rising Stars sessions, surgical tutorials, video sessions, simulation-based education, abstract presentations, patient-centered forums, innovation sessions, and interactive learning experiences led by internationally recognized faculty, researchers, educators, and multidisciplinary experts.

Recognizing the global nature of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and women's health, the Congress brings together internationally recognized faculty and participants to exchange evidence-based practices, diverse clinical perspectives, research findings, implementation strategies, and innovative approaches that advance the care of women worldwide.

Educational content is designed to address the continuum of patient care, including awareness, diagnosis, patient evaluation, imaging, treatment selection, shared decision-making, surgical planning, operative management, complication prevention, postoperative care, longitudinal follow-up, research translation, and outcomes assessment. Sessions emphasize the application of current evidence, evolving surgical and non-surgical strategies, emerging technologies, and practical approaches that participants can incorporate into their own clinical practice.

The 2026 educational program also reflects the increasing importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based clinical decision-making, individualized patient care, digital transformation, and rigorous outcomes evaluation. Faculty are encouraged to present balanced perspectives regarding current evidence, areas of uncertainty, new technologies, and evolving treatment approaches so that learners can select the most appropriate management strategies for their patients while recognizing where additional research is needed.

As part of the 2026 Congress, AAGL will introduce its first accredited patient educational forum, providing physicians with a unique opportunity to learn alongside patients, advocates, multidisciplinary clinicians, and researchers. This educational experience is intended to strengthen physician understanding of the patient perspective while reinforcing the importance of awareness, access to care, shared decision-making, patient autonomy, research engagement, and outcomes that reflect the priorities of women with gynecologic conditions.

Proposed Method:
I. Elevate awareness of the role minimally invasive gynecologic surgery plays within comprehensive women's healthcare by reviewing current evidence, emerging research, best practices, patient-reported outcomes, and unresolved clinical questions that shape the field.
II. Host simulation laboratories and hands-on learning experiences that support technical refinement while emphasizing patient safety, procedural judgment, case selection, complication avoidance, and outcomes-oriented application of skills.
III. Offer surgeons with varying levels of experience opportunities to strengthen knowledge, clinical judgment, research literacy, and appropriate use of robotic-assisted, traditional laparoscopic, vaginal, hysteroscopic, vNOTES, office-based, and other minimally invasive approaches. IV. Review and reinforce anatomic principles, imaging interpretation, energy safety, suturing, dissection strategy, procedural planning, crisis management, and other foundational competencies as tools to support safe, evidence-based, and individualized care.
V. Promote patient-centered, outcomes-driven clinical decision-making by integrating surgical and non-surgical options, multidisciplinary pathways, shared decision-making, health equity, access considerations, and long-term outcome assessment into the educational program.
VI. Expand awareness and knowledge of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery nationally and internationally while fostering collaboration, mentorship, professional development, research exchange, and dissemination of evidence-based practices among physicians committed to lifelong learning and improving women's healthcare.
VII. Evaluate learner outcomes to assess the impact of the Annual Global Congress on physician knowledge, competence, clinical judgment, performance, and practice change while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of future educational programming.
VIII. Incorporate the patient voice, scientific discovery, and clinical research across the Congress through patient forums, scientific abstracts, debates, innovation sessions, and multidisciplinary discussions that identify unmet needs and advance solutions for women with gynecologic conditions.

Learning Objectives:
Following participation in this activity, learners should be able to:
1. Apply current evidence, practice guidelines, and emerging research to the diagnosis and management of complex gynecologic conditions in order to improve patient care and outcomes.
2. Evaluate diagnostic and treatment options, including surgical and non-surgical approaches, to develop individualized care plans based on disease severity, patient goals, risks, benefits, access, and expected outcomes.
3. Critically assess advances in surgical technology, instrumentation, robotics, imaging, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and data science, and determine their appropriate application while maintaining patient safety and evidence-based standards of care.
4. Improve the recognition, prevention, and management of surgical and perioperative complications through sound clinical judgment, anatomic knowledge, team communication, and systems-based safety practices.
5. Apply evidence-based strategies for the management of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, pelvic floor disorders, menopause-related conditions, reproductive surgery, and other complex gynecologic disorders.
6. Interpret and translate current research, clinical controversies, and outcomes data into practice while identifying knowledge gaps that require further investigation.
7. Incorporate patient-centered communication, shared decision-making, patient autonomy, cultural responsiveness, and health equity principles into clinical practice to support individualized treatment planning and improve equitable patient outcomes.
8. Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, advocates, and patients to optimize the care of women with complex gynecologic conditions.
9. Analyze emerging evidence, innovation, and clinical controversies to support lifelong learning, quality improvement, responsible adoption of new technologies, and continuous advancement of the field.
10. Integrate newly acquired knowledge, judgment, skills, and patient perspectives into practice to improve physician competence, clinical performance, research-informed care, and patient outcomes.

Barriers to Change:
Potential barriers that may prevent physicians from implementing changes in practice include:
• Limited access to advanced education, mentorship, and longitudinal professional development opportunities.
• Differences in institutional resources, equipment, technology, imaging capabilities, and multidisciplinary support.
• Financial constraints, reimbursement limitations, and competing clinical or administrative priorities.
• Time limitations that restrict participation in continuing education, research, quality improvement, and practice redesign.
• Variability in patient populations, disease complexity, referral patterns, social determinants of health, and access to specialty care.
• Limited operative volume or limited exposure to uncommon, high-acuity, or highly complex procedures and clinical scenarios.
• Differences in physician experience, prior training, comfort with new technologies, research literacy, and familiarity with current evidence.
• Organizational culture, institutional support, team readiness, data infrastructure, and ability to measure meaningful clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Additional barriers may include the rapid evolution of evidence, surgical techniques, technology, digital tools, and clinical guidelines, requiring physicians to continually evaluate and incorporate new information into practice while balancing patient safety, available resources, equity, patient preferences, and individual clinical needs.

Strategies to Address Barriers:
The Congress seeks to minimize these barriers by providing:
• Evidence-based educational content that integrates clinical judgment, patient-centered care, research translation, and outcomes-driven practice.
• Expert faculty representing diverse disciplines, practice settings, career stages, geographic regions, and areas of scientific and clinical expertise.
• Interactive discussion, case-based learning, main stage debates, and multidisciplinary panels addressing real-world clinical decision-making and controversy.
• Practical demonstrations, surgical tutorials, and evidence-informed approaches to diagnosis, treatment selection, procedural planning, and complication prevention.
• Surgical videos, scientific presentations, MedTalks, and innovation sessions that critically examine emerging techniques, technologies, research findings, and outcomes data..
• Simulation, hands-on learning, and skills-based education linked to patient safety, procedural judgment, team performance, and quality improvement.
• Peer-to-peer collaboration, mentorship, global exchange, and opportunities to compare approaches across institutions, health systems, and regions..
• Opportunities for questions, discussion, patient voice integration, research engagement, and identification of practice gaps that can guide future investigation and educational programming.

Educational activities encourage physicians to evaluate current evidence, discuss practical application of new knowledge with expert faculty and colleagues, and identify strategies that can be incorporated into their own practice settings. Interactive educational formats provide opportunities for participants to compare approaches to patient management, discuss challenging clinical scenarios, examine areas of uncertainty, and learn practical strategies that may improve physician performance, patient safety, and patient-centered outcomes.

The Congress also promotes collaboration among surgeons, medical specialists, allied health professionals, researchers, educators, advocates, and patients to exchange knowledge, identify research priorities, disseminate best practices, and advance minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and women's health.

Code of Conduct:
AAGL is committed to providing a friendly, safe, supportive, and harassment-free environment during the Congress. AAGL expects Congress participants to respect the rights of others and communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, handling disagreement with courtesy, dignity, and an open mind. All participants are expected to observe these rules of conduct in all Congress venues. Organizers will actively enforce this code throughout this event. Violations are taken seriously. If an attendee or participant engages in inappropriate, harassing, abusive or disruptive behavior or language, the AAGL has the right to carry out any action it deems appropriate

What to Do:
If you have any concerns about an individual's conduct, please go to the AAGL Registration Counter for the procedure to follow to report the incident.

Age Restriction:
Children under 16 years of age are not permitted in sessions and workshops but may be allowed into the exhibit hall if accompanied by an adult.

Audio-Visual Recording:
Video- and audio-recording of sessions by congress attendees is strictly prohibited. Registration, attendance, or participation in AAGL meetings, Congress, and other activities constitutes an agreement that allows AAGL to use and distribute your image or voice in all media. If you have questions about this policy, please visit the AAGL onsite registration desk.

Anti-Harassment Statement:
AAGL encourages its members to interact with each other for the purposes of professional development and scholarly interchange so that all members may learn, network, and enjoy the company of colleagues in a professional atmosphere. Consequently, it is the policy of the AAGL to provide an environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to its members and guests at all regional educational meetings or courses, the annual global congress (i.e., annual meeting), and AAGL-hosted social events (AAGL sponsored activities). Every individual associated with the AAGL has a duty to maintain this environment free of harassment and intimidation.

Reporting an Incident:
AAGL encourages reporting all perceived incidents of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Any individual covered by this policy who believes that he or she has been subjected to such an inappropriate incident has two (2) options for reporting:

1. By toll free phone to AAGL's confidential 3rd party hotline: (833) 995-AAGL (2245) during the AAGL Annual or Regional Meetings.
2. By email or phone to: The Executive Director, Linda Michels, at lmichels@aagl.org or (714) 503-6200.

All individuals who witness potential harassment, discrimination, or other harmful behavior during AAGL sponsored activities are expected to report the incident. Attendees are also encouraged to take reasonable steps to help prevent or de-escalate harmful situations when it is safe to do so and to notify the appropriate authorities immediately if someone is in imminent physical danger. For more information or to view the policy please visit