A Symposium to Drive Innovation, Expand Partnerships, and Advance Health
“Breaking the Boundaries: Reimagining Health Research and Clinical Practice for a Healthier Tomorrow”
Register Now
Registration discount codes are available for Trainees and Community Members.
Contact CCTS@uab.edu for more information.
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Join a groundbreaking symposium uniting Academy, Community, Government, and Industry to explore new ways of innovating clinical care, transforming research processes, and advancing health. Through interactive panels, networking, and real-world success stories, we will identify actionable steps to transform health outcomes in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and beyond.
Why Attend?
- Shape the Future: Help define new priorities, policies, and innovative strategies that address health issues.
- Collaborate Across Sectors: Connect with collaborators from multiple fields who share a passion for improving community health.
- Build Meaningful Partnerships: Discover opportunities for joint research projects, funded initiatives, and community-led interventions.
- Elevate Your Voice: Contribute your insights and experiences to a collective roadmap that can guide national conversation and practice.
Who Should Attend?
- Community and faith-based organizations
- Academic researchers and trainees
- Healthcare providers and clinical teams
- Public health officials and policymakers
- Industry leaders and investors
- Nonprofits, advocacy groups, and philanthropic organizations
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Symposium Location
Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans
739 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Hotel Accommodations
A limited number of rooms at the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans are available at a special rate for this event if booked by May 15, 2025. Spaces are first come, first served, so be sure to secure your reservation early using the link below!
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Monday, June 9, 2025
11:30am Registration / Box Lunch 12:30pm Welcome / Introductions 12:35pm Keynote Presentation 1:10pm Setting the Frame (Interactive Brainstorming Session) 2:20pm NextGen: Trainee Lightning Talks 3:30pm Networking Break 3:45pm Panel Session 1: What is possible with a boost in funding centered on preventing disease and improving health outcomes from clinical encounters 4:20pm Panel Session 2: Designing and operationalizing research around specific health issues and desired outcome; The impact of research funding priorities, structures, and incentives on research outputs; What health research could happen to measurably and meaningfully improve the health of Americans 4:55pm Panel Session 3: How do we build and connect the relevant researcher workforce for current and future needs 5:30pm Day 1 Close Dinner on your own
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
7:15am Networking/Continental Breakfast 8:00am Welcome Back 8:05am World Café: Research Process Perspectives / Considerations 8:55am World Café: Health Provider Process Perspectives / Considerations 9:45am World Café: Community Perspectives / Considerations 10:35am Networking Break 10:50am Keynote Presentation 11:30am Top 10 Meeting Moments and Where do we go from here? Recap of Brainstorming, Panels, World Cafes 12:00pm Conference Close Safe Travels! -
Brian M. Rivers, PhD, MPH
Professor, Community Health and Preventive Medicine
Director, Cancer Health Equity Institute
Morehouse School of Medicine
Michael Mugavero, MD, MS
Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Director, Center for Outcomes Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE)
Co-Director, Center For AIDS Research
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, Heersink School of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham -
“Younger Scientists Are More Innovative, Study Finds”
Younger individuals are sometimes more creative, possibly because they have not accumulated the same level of societal norms and practical limitations as more experienced adults. This relative freedom allows folks to think innovatively and to explore unconventional solutions without being restricted by "wisdom," which can sometimes mean adhering to established ways of doing things. By Katherine Irving, The Scientist, October 2022. Read more.
CALLING ALL DREAMERS,
WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS!The Breaking the Boundaries Symposium (June 9-10 in New Orleans, LA) will competitively select up to 6 individuals – undergraduates, graduate students and post-graduate trainees (residents, fellows, post-docs) – to introduce a challenge or barrier (see samples below) they have observed in the application of evidence-based knowledge to improve health and to propose a solution or change that may overcome that obstacle. Submissions are due by April 30.
Selected presenters will receive:
- Free Registration
- Up to $600 travel support
- Expert coaching to hone their presentations for a multi-sector audience.
Lightning Talk Format
- Three (3) Slides in Five (5) Minutes – Download Template Here
- SLIDE 1: Title slide (Brief Concept Title, Trainee Name, Trainee Affiliation)
- SLIDE 2: Barrier to Overcome (Describe a scientific or operational barrier)
- SLIDE 3: Proposed Innovation to Overcome
- Five (5) Minutes for Questions and Answers
Examples of Barriers (not an exhaustive list)
- Discoveries are buried in scientific literature
- Scientific evidence is too complicated to understand by consumer
- Evidence-based practice is not feasible in the real world
- Demands at the clinical point of care are too numerous to add more
- Current policies prohibit new applications or discourage change
How to Apply
Before the deadline of April 30, 2025, interested trainees should submit this form.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Trainee Lightning Talks, please contact Mr. Clifford Kennon (ckennon@uab.edu) or Ms. Shyla Fields (skcampbell@uabmc.edu).
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Share Breaking the Boundaries Symposium
Tell them to visit: go.uab.edu/bbsymposiumDownload and share the flyer for this event!
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Want to stay in the loop?
Complete the form below to receive updates on the speaker announcements and more! If you have any questions about this upcoming event, please contact CCTS@uab.edu. -
We’re excited you’ll be joining us at the Breaking the Boundaries Symposium in New Orleans! As the event approaches, we’ll be adding helpful information here to ensure you’re prepared for your visit, including detailed event information, directions, and important next steps. If you have not done so already, be sure to register here.
First things first: Book your hotel room!
Rooms at the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans are available at a special group rate until May 15, 2025, or until the room block fills. Availability is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis—so we recommend booking soon to secure your stay. If you've already booked your room, you can also manage your reservation via the link below.
Next Steps
- Get ready to contribute–check out our preparation guide.
- Help spread the word! Download and share a flyer.
- View the detailed event agenda.
- Undergraduates, graduate students, and post-graduate trainees–submit your Lightning Talk submission by April 30th.
Check back here regularly for more details as we get closer to the symposium. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact us at CCTS@uab.edu.