The Ferguson Lecture Series organizing committee with Olympic gold medalist and previous keynote speaker, Vonetta Flowers.From sports nutrition and cutting-edge rehabilitation tools to real-world strategies for concussion care, the 2026 Robert A. Ferguson Lecture Series: A Conference on Sports and Exercise Medicine will offer practical education on athlete care while spotlighting the future of sports medicine.
Hosted by UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine, the one-day conference takes place Saturday, June 13, at the UAB National Alumni Society House. The event brings together athletic trainers, physicians, physical therapists, and sports performance professionals for a full day of learning focused on optimizing performance, preventing injury, and translating the latest research into practice.
Conference attendees can expect a full program of expert-led panel discussions, breakout sessions, and lectures designed to offer diverse perspectives on a variety of current topics in sports medicine. The agenda was crafted to be accessible and relevant, whether participants are treating elite competitors, supporting youth athletes, or pursuing innovation through research and education.
“Our goal in organizing this year’s conference is for every attendee to leave with tools they can immediately put into practice, whether that’s a new approach to injury prevention or practical strategies they can apply with athletes at any level,” said Ashley Williamson, MSHA, LAT, ATC, director of strategic initiatives for UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine.
2025 AMSSM Advocacy Award winner and UAB Assistant Professor Calvin Spellmon, M.D., will present the keynote address, "Faith, Determination and Resiliency: When Sports Become More Than Just a Game."Keynote speaker Calvin Spellmon Jr., M.D., earned national recognition in 2025 with the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Advocacy Award for his work expanding access to sports medicine care and preventive services for student-athletes across Birmingham. An assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and medical director for Birmingham City Schools, Spellmon is widely recognized for building community‑based models of care that remove barriers and emphasize trust, mentorship, and long‑term athlete health.
Now in its third year, the conference honors Drew Ferguson, MEd, LAT, ATC, CSCS, the co-founder of Sports Medicine Institute of Alabama—now Children’s Sports Medicine—and longtime UAB Director of Sports Medicine. Ferguson’s dedication to athlete health and safety earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Drew positively impacted everyone he worked with, and his passion for education and athlete well-being has inspired me and will inspire future generations,” said Williamson. “It is an honor to ensure that his legacy in Alabama sports medicine lives on through this conference and so many other ways here at UAB.”
Registration options start at $60 and include in-person and virtual attendance, with CME and CEU credits and ABN nursing contact hours available. Pricing includes conference materials, lunch and access to all sessions throughout the day.
More information, including registration details and the full agenda, is available at go.uab.edu/fergusonlecture.