Speakers
The 2025 Sports Pharmacy Summit boasts an impressive lineup of expert speakers who will lead discussions on cutting-edge topics in sports health. Julius Thomas, M.S., a cognitive scientist, mental performance expert, and 2x NFL pro-bowler, will deliver the keynote on “Enhancing Mental Resilience in Athletes: Strategies for Peak Performance.”
Schedule
Attendees can expect keynote presentations, expert-led discussions on mental resilience, muscle recovery, pharmacogenomics, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as panel discussions on the role of sports pharmacists. The second day’s events include a panel featuring practicing sports pharmacists.
Registration
Registration for the 2025 Sports Pharmacy Summit will be opening soon! Special discounted rates are available for Sports Pharmacy Network members. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders and explore the latest advancements in sports pharmacy. Spots are limited to secure your spot today!
The first clinical Sports Pharmacy Summit
Where Innovation meets Athlete Care | Advancing Evidence-Based and Interdisciplinary Medicine
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Julius Thomas
Cognitive scientist, mental performance expert, and 2x NFL Pro-Bowler
Julius holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, is a published academic researcher in stress and health, is a professor of neuroscience, and advises various top academic institutions. Founder of Optimal Performance, a peak performance company that is dedicated to helping high-performance individuals reach their peak by building mental performance and wellness. Julius is one of a select group of individuals to play D1 college basketball and later become an NFL pro-bowler. Julius followed his athletic success by continuing his peak performance in the mind and brain sciences.
Speakers
Michael Swartzon, MD
Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
Dr. Michael Swartzon is a dual board-certified sports medicine physician with extensive experience in treating athletes and musculoskeletal conditions. He is the team physician for the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Gulfstream Park jockeys, and the Miami Open, and co-medical director of the Miami Marathon & Half Marathon. Dr. Swartzon also provides care for collegiate teams like FIU, Barry University, and St. Thomas University. An associate professor at FIU and Nova Southeastern University, he specializes in stem cell, PRP, regenerative therapies, and advanced orthopedic ultrasound procedures.
Eli Friedman, MD, FACC
Sports Cardiologist
Dr. Eli Friedman is a leading sports cardiologist and medical director of sports cardiology at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. He serves as cardiologist for the Women’s Tennis Association, Florida Panthers, Inter Miami CF, and several local colleges. A consultant for the U.S. Tennis Association and Broward County Schools, he codeveloped the Heart of a Champion program, training athletic personnel in cardiac emergency response. His research is widely published, and he contributes to the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Friedman focuses on patient-centered care, tailoring treatments to individual needs.
Susan J. Hewlings, PhD
Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Radicle Science
Dr. Susuan Hewlings, PhD, RD, serves as the Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Radicle Science and is a Co-Founder of Substantiation Sciences. Dr. Hewlings brings over two decades of extensive experience in research, teaching, and medical writing in nutrition, sports nutrition, and scientific consulting for the dietary supplement, food, beverage and medical industries. Dr. Hewlings has been instrumental in bridging the gap between science and product development, marketing, and sales for numerous leading brands. Her academic achievements include a PhD in Nutrition, an MS in Exercise Physiology, and a BS in Nutrition from Florida State University. She is a registered dietitian and completed a research fellowship in protein metabolism at the University of Texas Medical Branch, as well as earning a graduate certificate in cannabis science from the University of Vermont Medical School.
Angela S. Garcia, PharmD, MPH, CPh
Clinical Pulmonary and Respiratory Specialist
Dr. Angela S. Garcia is the founder of ASGarcia Consulting, Inc. and brings extensive experience as a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in respiratory care across diverse healthcare settings. Angela has also held academic positions as an Assistant Professor at both the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. She holds a Master of Public Health degree and PharmD from NSU.
Christina O'Connor, RD
Senior Healthcare Manager at Pendulum
Christina O’Connor, RD, is a registered dietitian and currently serves as the Senior Healthcare Account Manager at Pendulum Therapeutics. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University and completed her Dietetic Internship through the Virginia Department of Health. Christina began her career in pediatrics, where she developed a passion for microbiome science while working as a NICU dietitian at The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. She played a key role in establishing one of the region’s first donor human milk bank.
Robert Nickell, RPh
CEO and Founder of SportPharm
Robert P. Nickell was the first official team pharmacist for the USA Olympic Medical Team, serving during the 2004 Athens Summer Games. As the founder of SportPharmTM, he has consulted with over 85% of U.S. professional sports teams, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, on the proper use of prescription drugs. Robert has also taught pharmaceutical compounding at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and helped launch the first Entrepreneur Pharmaceutical Dual Degree Program at the University of the Pacific. He lives in Southern California with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Athena Cannon, PharmD
Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
Dr. Athena Cannon is an ambulatory care pharmacist at the Indian Health Board Medical Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a consultant with Drug Free Sport International. She founded and is currently serving as the founding Chair of the United States Sports Pharmacy Group (USSPG), a non-profit organization serving as a network of pharmacy professionals who share expertise and experience in sports pharmacy to educate the sports medicine community of the pharmacists’ role in optimizing performance, enhancing well-being, and promoting interdisciplinary team care of patient-athletes at every level.
Brandon Welch, PharmD, MS (c)
Clinical Sports Pharmacist
Dr. Brandon K. Welch is an experienced licensed wellness pharmacist that holds his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of South Florida and his bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences with a focus in biochemistry. He is the wellness pharmacist for Baptist Health where he works collaboratively with the Miami Dolphin’s and Florida Panther’s team physician to help enhance athletic performance and reduce risk of illness.
Jessica Beal-Stahl, PharmD.
Founder of The Athlete’s Pharmacist
Dr. Jessica Beal-Stahl is the Founder of The Athlete’s Pharmacist, a consultant sports pharmacy practice that combines her passions for athletics and pharmacy. Dr. Beal-Stahl received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Mercer University in 2009 and has been practicing as a Director of Clinical Services at a local independent community pharmacy in Merritt Island, Florida, since graduation. She also serves as a functional health coach for Island Direct Primary Care. Her focus is on bringing wellness and health to her patients and community.
Tammy Hanson, MS
Elite Education Director at U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
Tammy earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2006 and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University in 2019. Tammy Hanson currently serves as the Elite Education Director at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), where she oversees day-to-day operations of USADA’s education and engagement initiatives, drives strategic planning, and develops effective, data-driven programs that focus on clean sport education. Tammy is recognized for her commitment to supporting global anti- doping partners and ongoing international research. Tammy has a passion for empowering athletes with the tools necessary to compete with integrity.
Katie Dabrowski, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist and Co-Founder of Old Bull Athletics
Dr. Katie Dabrowski is a physical therapist and co-founder of Old Bull Athletics in Miami, FL, where she integrates strength training, performance, and rehabilitation, treating movement as medicine. She is also an adjunct professor of psychology and neuroscience at NSU. With a BS in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience from NSU and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami, her work blends neuroscience and exercise to optimize recovery and performance. Dr. Dabrowski’s approach focuses on pain education, strength, and resilience, helping patients achieve better outcomes through a holistic, science-driven method.
Jaime Tartar, PhD
Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at NSU
Jaime Tartar is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), where she co-created the neuroscience program and has been Program Director since 2015. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from NSU and an M.A. in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, focusing on EEG measures of neurological impairments. Dr. Tartar completed her Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Florida, researching long-term neurobiological changes in stress responses and developing animal models of stress. She served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves and completed Postdoctoral Training at Harvard Medical School, studying sleep perturbations’ neurological consequences and receiving training in Sleep Medicine.
Sean Casey, RD, CSCS
Owner of CasePerformance
Sean Casey is a registered dietitian and physical preparation coach who works with clients ranging from middle and high school athletes to elite professionals and Olympians including a Gold Medalist. His international expertise has taken him to 15 countries, helping clients achieve peak performance. Additionally, he leads the science team at Hometown Pharmacy of Wisconsin, a network of 65 independent pharmacies focused on reducing the need for medications through food, movement, sleep, and stress management.
Korey Van Wyk, MS, CSCS, Pn2
Acquisitions Editor at Cognella and Sports Performance
Coach Korey Van Wyk is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a master’s degree in nutrition. He currently serves as an acquisitions editor at Cognella Academic Publishing where he develops educational resources on nutrition, exercise, and sports science. Previously, Korey was an acquisitions editor at Human Kinetics and held dual roles as a Professor of Practice and Associate Director of Athletic Performance at Northwestern College. His diverse career also includes experience in nutrition research, personal training, conference speaking, article writing, and hosting The Performance Connection podcast.
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Schedule
Accreditation
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy, Continuing Professional Education Department will be responsible for obtaining and providing continuing pharmacy education for the Inaugural Sports Pharmacy Summit.
NSU Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This conference will be approved for up to 12 contact hours (1.2 Continuing Education Units, or CEUs).
NSU College of Pharmacy is also a CE Broker provider for the Florida Board of Pharmacy. The program will be approved for 12 hours of general continuing education (CE) credit with CE Broker.
The Provider will report all earned continuing education (CPE) credits for this program to both NABP and CE Broker for those pharmacists who provide a “Certificate of Participation” with their proper credentials. This form will be given at the conclusion of the program.
It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to check with both accreditation bodies within thirty days (May 12, 2025) to verify that their credits are correctly posted. Thirty (30) days after the end of a program, CE Broker will not accept credits from this program. After 60 days, NABP will not accept credits from this program.
Policy of Non-Discrimination Nova Southeastern University admits students of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying disability, religion, or creed, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, and does not discriminate in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Location
Come join us in sunny Fort Lauderdale!
The Sports Pharmacy Summit will be held at the prestigious Carl DeSantis Building on the Nova Southeastern University campus, located at 3050 Ray Ferrero Jr Blvd, Davie, FL 33314.
Nestled in the heart of South Florida, this state-of-the-art facility provides the perfect setting for innovation, learning, and collaboration. With its modern amenities and central location, the Carl DeSantis Building offers a professional and welcoming atmosphere for summit attendees to engage with peers, explore new ideas, and connect with industry leaders. Conveniently located near major highways and hotels, it’s an ideal venue for both local and traveling guests
Register Today!
Don't miss out on your opportunity to attend the first ever Sports Pharmacy Summit. Spots are limited to secure your seat today!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Exhibitors
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Exhibitors