Healthcare Ethics and Law Institute 2026

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.