AWA Summit
Alabama Wellness Alliance Summit: Cultivating Healthier Communities Together

On October 21, 2025, Alabama welcomes health advocates, professionals, and community leaders to the Alabama Wellness Alliance Summit, a dynamic one-day event dedicated to advancing health and wellness across the state. Held in the heart of Hoover, the summit offers a rich blend of invention, education, and collaboration—all for just $35.
Attendees will explore a wide spectrum of wellness topics through engaging keynote presentations and interactive breakout sessions. Expert speakers will share insights on:
- Worksite Wellness: Strategies for building healthier, more inclusive workplaces.
- Mental Health: Learn the latest in research and strategies for those living with mental health challenges and cognitive impairment.
- Education: Integrating wellness into schools and lifelong learning.
- Grant Making: Funding opportunities and best practices for grant writing.
- Fitness & Nutrition: Practical approaches to movement and healthy eating.
- Community Planning: Designing environments that support active, connected lifestyles.
- Parks and Recreation: Leveraging public spaces to promote health and inclusion.
Whether you're a public health professional, educator, nonprofit leader, or simply passionate about wellness, this summit offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and lead change in your community.
Speakers and vendors include individuals from organizations like Alzheimer’s Association, UAB, Tuscaloosa County Agricultural Farm, Alabama Extension Service, Lakeshore Foundation, Get Involved Pike County, Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sport, HEAL United, Big Picture Huntsville, Hoover Parks and Recreation, Discover Shelby, Kulture City and more!
Registration is now open—secure your spot and be part of Alabama’s movement toward a healthier future.
General Information
- Hoover Met Stadium
- Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
- Registration begins at 8 a.m.
- Opening session begins at 9 a.m.
- Closing session concludes at 4 p.m.
- $35 registration fee
Schedule of Events
8:00-9:00 a.m.
- Check-in
- Networking
- Vendor Table Set Up
- Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15 a.m.
- Opening Greeting and Announcements
9:15-9:45 a.m. Opening Speaker (General Session)
- HEAL United Vice President Board of Directors, Janice Farr
- Introduction by Jeannie Grubbs
Session Topic: How HEAL United is Impacting Families
9:55-10:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions 1,2,3
- Alabama Extension Service, Ginger Eaton
Session Topic: Grant Making in the Community
- Billy Curtis, Alabama Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Pamela Bowen, UAB Alzheimer’s Center Session Topic: Risk Factors and Research, plus Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
- Dr. Janie Clay, Bite and Bloom Collective, LLC
Session Topic: Using Farm-Based Nutrition Education to Restore Health and Sustainability
10:40-11:20 a.m. Breakout Sessions 4,5,6
- Teresa, Shufflebarger Live Smart Alabama
Session Topic: How to Decrease Chronic Disease in Alabama
- Greer Williams, Tuscaloosa County Agriscience Teaching Farm
Session Topic: How Education and Agriculture Work Together to Benefit an Entire Community
- Dennis Madsen, Big Picture Huntsville
Session Topic: TBD
11:30 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Breakout Sessions 7,8,9
- Allison Tubbs and Chris Mackey, Lakeshore Foundation
Session Topic: How to Make Your Workplace More Inclusive
- Dan Smith, Get Involved Pike County, Bethany Allen and Dianna Lee, Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Session Topic: TBD
- Dr. Sherri Huff and Jonathan Thompson, Alabama Department of Education
Session Topic: Physical Literacy and Wellness from an Educator Perspective
12:05-12:25 p.m. Lunch Buffet- Taziki’s Mediterranean
12:25-1:00 p.m. Lunch with Keynote Speaker
- Randy McGillberry, Former MLB pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
Native of Saraland, Alabama
1:00-2:00 p.m. Vendors and Networking
2:00-2:35 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 10,11
- Phil Holmes and Dee Pack, Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sport
Session Topic: Movement for All Ages: An Interactive Session
- Joy Palmer, Kulture City
Session Topic: Who is Kulture City?
2:45-3:25 p.m. Panel Discussion (General Session)
- Park and Recreation- Ryan Cavender, Hoover Parks and Recreation, Kendall Williams and Chad Scroggins, Discover Shelby
Session Topic: Shared Paths – Community Partnership in Outdoor Spaces
3:35-4:00 p.m. Final Takeaways/Announcements
For all questions regarding registration or anything related to the event, please contact Heidi Ramey. For technical assistance, please contact Donna Hester.
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