ABA News & Vision from the CEO’s Desk | January 2026

Dear ABA members,  

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. As 2026 begins, I want to thank you for the dedication, expertise, and compassion you bring to burn care. I know I say this almost every month, however, it’s important to reinforce this message. The strength of our community, our members, partners, and collaborators, continues to inspire our work and guide ABA’s direction.

Journal of Burn Care & Research

Our year begins with an important milestone for our flagship journal. The January/February 2026 issue of the Journal of Burn Care & Research debuts a refreshed, modernized cover, reflecting both the journal’s evolution and the strength of the science and scholarship it represents. My sincere thanks to the editorial leadership, authors, reviewers, and partners who continue elevating JBCR as a global resource for burn care.

ABA 2026 Annual Meeting | Orlando, FL

Looking ahead to our ABA 2026 Annual Meeting this April, I’m pleased to share two important updates. First, late-breaking abstract submissions are now open , a new opportunity this year to highlight timely research, emerging data, and recently completed quality initiatives. Second, a reminder to register early and secure your hotel reservation. On-property rooms consistently fill quickly, and I encourage you to reserve early if proximity and convenience matter to you.

Chicago-Based Burn Center Visits

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the privilege of visiting burn centers in the Chicago area, continuing my own learning directly from interdisciplinary teams. In December, I spent a day with the burn, trauma, and flight teams at University of Chicago Medicine. Thank you to Annemarie O’Connor and colleagues for the warm welcome to their clinical environment. After the holidays, I visited Loyola Medicine and appreciated the chance to learn from their integrated burn teams, with thanks to Kelly McElligott and Dr. John C. Kubasiak. These visits reinforced how clinical excellence, coordination, and research work together to strengthen patient care and advance our field.

Ongoing Conversations & Learning

I remain grateful for the opportunities to connect with current and past ABA leaders. This month, included a conversation with Dr. Rob Cartotto, ABA Past President, and reflecting on his service, leadership, and the enduring values that continue to shape our association. Stewardship across generations remains one of ABA’s greatest strengths.

🎥 [VIDEO] Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. Cartotto’s thoughts. 

Burn Incidents–Domestic and Worldwide

Finally, I want to acknowledge the tragic New Year’s Eve fire and burn incident in Switzerland. Shortly after learning of this event, ABA shared a statement of support in solidarity with those injured, their loved ones, and our international colleagues responding to this event. Moments like this underscore that burn care is a global responsibility and a shared community.

Looking Ahead

As 2026 unfolds, you will hear more about ABA’s evolving vision and our 2026–2028 Strategic Work Plan in greater detail, which will serve as a clear guide for how we invest, enhance our partnerships, and lead in support of burn care professionals and the patients we serve.

Thank you for your continued engagement, leadership, and trust. I look forward to all we will accomplish together this year.

Best wishes for 2026!

Ed Dellert, RN, MBA, CAE, FACEHP
Chief Executive Officer
American Burn Association