Sports Pharmacy Network Hosts Inaugural Summit in Fort Lauderdale

Key Takeaways

The summit emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration, offering over 12 hours of continuing education on diverse topics like concussion management and female athlete care.
Keynote speaker Julius Thomas highlighted the importance of mental health in elite performance, advocating for positive changes in the sports environment.
The event's global reach and diverse participation underscored its impact, with attendees from countries like Turkey, Brazil, and England.
Plans for future summits are underway, setting a high standard for integrated athlete health strategies and advancing the field of sports pharmacology.

Nearly 150 health care professionals from across the globe gathered in Fort Lauderdale in April for the inaugural Clinical Sports Pharmacy Summit, hosted by the Sports Pharmacy Network on Nova Southeastern University's campus. The 2-day conference marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of athlete care, bringing together pharmacists, sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other professionals for an in-depth exploration of the emerging field of sports pharmacology.

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"This summit is more than just a meeting; it's a movement," said Brandon K. Welch, PharmD, founder of the Sports Pharmacy Network. "We're building a stronger foundation for sports health care, together."

With a focus on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, the summit delivered over 12 hours of live continuing education credit and covered timely topics ranging from concussion management and pain alternatives to female athlete care and banned substance protocols. The sessions weren't just educational but a call to action for a new era of integrated athlete health.

Headlining the event was former NFL tight end Julius Thomas, a 2-time Pro Bowler who has transitioned into a career in mental performance and well-being. Thomas discussed his journey from professional sports to clinical psychology, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health in elite performance.

"Most athletes don't have a diagnosable mental health condition. They have challenges, just like the rest of us, that need support," Thomas shared. "We're here to think about how to make positive changes in the sports environment, and that's exactly what this summit is doing."

Attendees traveled from as far as Turkey, Brazil, and England, signaling the summit's global impact and the rising interest in advancing clinical strategies for athlete care. Among them was Dickie Okochi-Friday, a sports pharmacist from London.

"From pharmacists to performance coaches and supplement innovators, the energy and passion here is second to none," Okochi-Friday said. "It's inspiring to connect with such a diverse group working toward the same goal: helping athletes perform at their best."

One of the summit's most memorable moments was the Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Pharmacy presentation to Robert Nickell, founder of SportPharm and the first-ever team pharmacist for the USA Olympic Medical Team. Nickell's career has spanned decades of advocacy, education, and direct service to more than 85% of US professional sports teams.

"I'm honored, humbled, and appreciative," Nickell said. "Sports pharmacy has grown so much, and the future is even brighter."

With plans already underway for 2026, the success of this first summit has laid a firm foundation for the field's future. From in-depth sessions and lively discussions to meaningful networking and international camaraderie, the event set a high standard for what was to come.

"We're not just supporting athletes with prescriptions," said Kristal Potter, PharmD, editor-in-chief of the Sports Pharmacy Network. "We're advocating, educating, and protecting them."