Healthcare Ethics and Law Institute 2026
by Samford University's Healthcare Ethics and Law (HEAL) Institute
The Healthcare Ethics and Law Institute 2026 is an annual conference organized by Samford University's Healthcare Ethics and Law (HEAL) Institute. This event aims to support Alabama institutional ethics committees at all levels as they navigate today's most pressing health care and legal issues. The 2026 conference, titled "Trust in Science and Government: What About Vaccinations?", will examine vaccine hesitancy, public trust, and the ethical challenges surrounding vaccinations.
Key topics include the spread of misinformation, philosophical perspectives on community duties, definitions and management of vaccine skepticism, and the role of legal coercion and incentives in vaccination policies. Sessions will feature discussions on childhood immunizations and the role of pharmacists in enhancing vaccine confidence and access.
The conference will feature notable speakers such as Dr. Tom Huddle, Dr. Adam Cifu, and Dr. Douglas Diekema, who will deliver the keynote address and receive the Pellegrino Award. Attendees will have opportunities for networking and engaging in panel discussions to explore future directions in addressing vaccine hesitancy.
This conference is ideal for health care professionals, legal experts, ethicists, and policymakers interested in the intersection of health care, ethics, and law, particularly concerning vaccination policies and public trust.
Speakers(9)
Adam Cifu
Professor of Medicine at University of Chicago School of Medicine
Dr. Cifu is a general internist and educator at the University of Chicago, author of over 140 peer-reviewed publications, and co-author of 'Symptom to Diagnosis: An Evidence-Based Guide'.
David Smolin
Harwell G. Davis Professor of Constitutional Law at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University
Professor Smolin is the Director of the Center for Children, Law and Ethics, with expertise in children's rights, bioethics, and constitutional law.
Douglas Diekema
Professor, Division of Bioethics and Palliative Care at University of Washington School of Medicine
Dr. Diekema is a pediatrician specializing in bioethics, serving as Co-Director of Education at the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care, and Chair of the Institutional Review Board Committee at Seattle Children's.
Emily McCarty
Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Samford University
Dr. McCarty's research lies at the intersection of metaphysics, ethics, and the philosophy of religion, with a focus on the problem of evil and the nature of God.
Jennifer Campbell
Co-founder at MedsPLUS Consulting Pharmacy & Wellness Center
Dr. Campbell is a community health pharmacist focused on strengthening vaccine confidence and integrating clinical expertise to reduce health disparities.
Leonard J. 'Jack' Nelson III
Emeritus Professor at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University
Professor Nelson has an extensive background in health law, having served as a law clerk for the Washington State Supreme Court and taught at Cumberland School of Law for 30 years.
Pauline Long
Co-founder at MedsPLUS Consulting Pharmacy & Wellness Center
Dr. Long is a community health pharmacist dedicated to advancing preventive care and improving chronic disease outcomes through pharmacist-led services and community partnerships.
Scott H. James
Associate Professor, Pediatric Infectious Diseases at University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. James is the Director of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program at UAB, leading NIH-funded research on antiviral drug development and participating in clinical trials for congenital and perinatal infections.
Thomas S. Huddle
Professor of Medicine Emeritus at University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. Huddle is a clinician educator with a background in the history of medicine, focusing on medical professionalism, clinical ethics, and medical education.
Event Details
- Date
- February 6, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Birmingham, United States
- Seibert Hall
- Pricing
- Unknown
- Audience
- Health care professionals, legal experts, ethicists, policymakers