In 1954, James Garber Galbraith, M.D., established the Division of Neurosurgery within the Department of Surgery in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, creating a culture of growth and compassionate care that is still present within the now-Department of Neurosurgery at UAB. In honor of Galbraith's achievements and contributions, the UAB Department of Neurosurgery is proud to present the 42nd Annual J. Garber Galbraith, M.D., Scientific Session and Lecture on October 3, 2025.
The Galbraith Lecture is given annually by a guest neurosurgeon who has made significant contributions to the field of neurosurgery at large, while the Galbraith Scientific Session features the research and achievements of both past and present UAB neurosurgery residents. The lecture and scientific session also culminate in a dinner held each year for UAB Department of Neurosurgery faculty, residents and guests.
The 43nd Annual J. Garber Galbraith, M.D., Scientific Session and Lecture
Grand Rounds: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Galbraith Lecture: Friday, October 16, 2026; Marnix E. Heersink Conference Center
Talk title coming soon
Registration coming soon
Galbraith Lecturer
Howard A. Riina, M.D., MPhil, FACS, FAANS
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neurosurgery | New York University Grossman School of Medicine Director of Clinical Innovation | New York University Langone Health
Howard A. Riina, MD, MPhil, FACS, FAANS, received his undergraduate degrees from both Franklin and Marshall College and the University of Pennsylvania, and his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. He also obtained an Master of Philosophy in neurobiology from the University of Cambridge. He completed his surgical internship and trained in neurological surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Riina has completed two fellowships in endovascular surgical neuroradiology and cerebrovascular and skull base surgery as well as fellowship equivalent training in diagnostic neuroradiology. Riina has been actively involved in national neurosurgery for many years, having served on the executive committee of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery as both scientific program chair and member-at-large, and as membership chair of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. He is the former Chair of CNS Endovascular Surgery Advisory Committee to CAST (CESAC). He is currently associate editor of the journal Neurosurgery and secretary of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Riina is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the treatment of vascular disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Resident Alumni Speaker
Jacob Leapard, M.D.
Pediatric Neurosurgeon | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Adjunct Assistant Professor | Emory University School of Medicine
Jacob Lepard, MD, is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon recognized for his specialized expertise in congenital malformations, fetal surgery, and complex spinal disorders. He practices at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and serves on the faculty at Emory University School of Medicine, where he delivers comprehensive surgical care to children with diverse neurological conditions. Lepard earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Lee University, followed by a medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. He completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he also undertook an enfolded fellowship in global neurosurgical research and education through the Harvard Program for Global Surgery and Social Change. His international work has focused on improving care for hydrocephalus and spina bifida in low-resource settings. After residency, Lepard completed advanced fellowship training in complex spinal deformities at UAB and in pediatric neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Sponsored for CME credit by UAB Division of CME.
The University of Alabama School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Alabama School of Medicine designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The University of Alabama School of Medicine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
Directions to Venue
Located in the Altec Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences (ALGEN) Building, the Marnix E. Heersink Conference Center can be accessed via bridge from the second level of UAB Hospital’s Jefferson Tower. *All concourses and skybridges are located on the 2nd floor of UAB Hospital.
From North Pavilion or the 4th Avenue Parking Deck:
Follow Concourse A toward Jefferson Tower/West Pavilion. At the intersection of Concourse A and Concourse B in West Pavilion, turn onto Concourse B into Spain Wallace (to your left). Continue on Concourse B toward Jefferson Tower. Just after crossing the skybridge into Jefferson Tower, the entrance to the ALGEN Building is located to your right, past the Information Desk and before Chick-fil-A and Subway.
From Children’s of Alabama:
Navigate to North Pavilion and follow the directions outlined above.
From The Kirklin Clinic or The Kirklin Clinic Parking Deck:
Follow Concourse C toward Jefferson Tower/University Hospital. At the intersection of Concourse C and Concourse D, turn onto Concourse D toward Jefferson Tower. Continue until you reach the intersection of Concourse D and Concourse B, turn right. Chick-fil-A and Subway will be to your left. Just before reaching the Information Desk, the door to cross into the ALGEN Building will be on your left.
From Outside/Street Parking:
The ALGEN Building is located at the corner of 7th Avenue South and 19th Street South, directly across from the UAB School of Dentistry.
2025 Winners
Garber Galbraith, M.D, Research Prize
Griffith R. Harsh III, M.D., Research Prize
Richard B. Morawetz, M.D., Research Prize
Stephen Mahaley Jr., M.D., Research Prize (Translational Research Prize)
Previous Lectures
