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The Football Players Health Study at Harvard University invites stakeholders in the health of NFL players to discuss the urgent challenges facing this community and their families.

Hearts & Minds: Optimizing Health for NFL Players & Their Families

February 5, 2026
8:30am-1:30pm PST

Presidio Officers’ Club
Ortega Ballroom

50 Moraga Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94129

Register to attend in person.

Schedule of Events:

  • 8:30am: Full Buffet Breakfast
  • 8:45am: Introductory Remarks
  • 9:05am: Chronic Pain Roundtable and Q&A
  • 10:00am: Strengthening Cardiovascular Resilience and Q&A
  • 11:00am: Break
  • 11:15am: Safeguarding Mental Health for NFL Players and Q&A
  • 12:15pm: Closing Remarks
  • 12:20 – 1:30pm: Full Buffet Lunch and Resources Fair
Chronic Pain Roundtable Speakers

Alicia Whittington, PhD, MPH, MS (Moderator)
Director of Engagement and Health Equity Research
Football Players Health Study

Co-Investigator
Family Experiences Managing Football Lives (FEM-FL)

Adam Tenforde, MD
Co-Investigator, In-Person Assessments
Football Players Health Study

Allan Mishra, MD
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Orthopedic Surgery
Stanford University

Jaime Garza, MD, DDS, FACS
Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Professor of Otolaryngology, & Director of Human Regenerative Cell Trials
Tulane University School of Medicine

Professor of Surgery and Professor of Otolaryngology
University of Texas – San Antonio

Hye-Jin Clark, MD
Chief Resident Physician, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Stanford University

Strengthening Cardiovascular Resilience Speakers

Jim Kovach, MD, JD (Moderator)
Chief Innovation Officer, Aggie Square
UC-Davis Sacramento Innovation Center

Director of Translational Entrepreneurship and Industry Research Relationships
University of California – Davis

John Farquhar
President, Chief Executive Officer
Heartflow

Herman Taylor, MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA
Co-Investigator
Football Players Health Study

Endowed Professor, Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute
Morehouse School of Medicine

Telisa Spikes, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Emory University

Safeguarding Mental Health for NFL Players Speakers

Ross Zafonte, DO (Moderator)
Principal Investigator
Football Players Health Study

Executive Vice Dean
University of Missouri School of Medicine

Rachel Grashow, PhD
Director of Epidemiological Research Initiatives
Football Players Health Study

Co-Investigator
Family Experiences Managing Football Lives (FEM-FL)

Senior Research Scientist
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

Ciara Dockery, PhD
Clinical Psychologist

Takeo Spikes
Author and Entrepreneur
Behind the Mask Podcast

Former NFL Linebacker
Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and San Diego Chargers