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Champion Forward Connect. Compete. Care. Event

Connect. Compete. Care.

Building Strong Athletes and Families—On the Field and in the Community.

Event details

Connect. Compete. Care. – July 29, 2025

Join us for Connect. Compete. Care., an inspiring panel event created to support student-athletes and their families presented by Williamson Health Foundation in collaboration with Williamson Health, Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, and Champion Forward.

Spend the evening with Ben Zobrist, Dr. Colin Looney and Dr. Allen Sills as they share real stories, practical tools, and meaningful conversations designed to support student-athletes and the people who guide them. Together, we will explore how to strengthen mental and physical wellness, build emotional resilience, and foster deeper connection—both on and off the field.

Date

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Time

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Location

Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee
3000 Edward Curd Lane in Franklin
Click Here For Directions

Tickets

Free • Registration Required
To Register, Click Here

Date

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Time

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Location

Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee
3000 Edward Curd Lane in Franklin • Click Here For Directions

Tickets

Free • Registration Required
To Register, Click Here

Who Is This Event Geared Toward?

This event is open to individuals ages 13 and older. Whether you are a student-athlete, parent, or caregiver, you will gain practical tools and a new perspective to support youth both on and off the field.

Please Note: Sensitive topics such as mental health, depression, and suicide may be discussed during this event.

The Speaker Panel:

Colin Looney

M.D.

Orthopaedic Surgeon for Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee

Colin Looney, M.D., is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. Dr. Looney earned his medical degree and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. He then completed a sports medicine fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic (now the Steadman Clinic) in Vail, CO, and earned an additional certificate of qualification in sports medicine. Dr. Looney was a high school and college wrestler and football player at Woodberry Forest School and Washington and Lee University, both in Virginia. He enjoys serving as team physician for Battle Ground Academy and Independence High School.

To read his full bio, click here.

Allen Sills

M.D., F.A.C.S.

Chief Medical Officer for the National Football League (NFL)

Dr. Allen Sills is the NFL's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), a full-time position dedicated to advancing the health and safety of the sport of football. He became the NFL's first CMO in March 2017, joining the league from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. As a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of athletes, Dr. Sills continues to serve at Vanderbilt as a Professor of Neurological Surgery and the Founder and Co-Director of the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center.

To read his full bio, click here.

Ben Zobrist

Former MLB All-Star

2016 World Series MVP and Founder of Champion Forward

Ben Zobrist is a former Major League Baseball player and two-time World Series champion (including the 2016 World Series MVP). As a player, he was renowned for his versatility, consistency, and leadership. Over his 14 year career, Ben played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Cubs, earning three All-Star selections.

During his playing career, Ben faced many challenges including physical injuries and mental health issues. As a mental and emotional health advocate, Ben is committed to sharing his story and empowering others to learn, grow and heal from mental and emotional health issues.

To read his full bio, click here.

Register Today

Questions About The Event?

If you have any questions about this event, please contact us via email at info@bjit.org.

About The Event Hosts

Champion Forward is a non-profit organization founded by former Major League Baseball player and World Series MVP Ben Zobrist. The organization is dedicated to helping teenage athletes, parents, and coaches experience sports in a mentally and emotionally healthy way. Through its Ambassador Program and Organizational Training System, Champion Forward provides practical tools to build self-awareness, support life balance, and strengthen emotional connections — both on and off the field. For more information, visit ChampionForward.org.

Williamson Health Foundation serves as the charitable and development arm dedicated to supporting Williamson Health, which includes Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, Williamson Medical Center, Williamson Health Medical Group, the Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center and more, as the regional health system seeks to provide high-quality and compassionate care to families across Williamson County. By supporting programs that extend beyond traditional clinical care, the Foundation helps fund innovative services, expand access to health education, and deliver critical resources throughout the community. Events like Connect. Compete. Care. reflect this mission—empowering student-athletes and their families with tools for lifelong health, resilience, and meaningful connection. For more information, visit WilliamsonHealth.org/Williamson-Health-Foundation.

Williamson Health

Williamson Health is a regional healthcare system based in Williamson County, Tennessee, with more than 2,300 employees across more than 30 locations and more than 860 physicians and advanced care practitioners offering exceptional healthcare across 60-plus specialties and subspecialties close to home. The flagship facility, Williamson Medical Center, which opened its new Boyer-Bryan West Tower, offers extensive women’s services, state-of-the-art cardiology services, advanced surgical technologies, an award-winning obstetrics and NICU, leading-edge orthopaedics, outpatient imaging services, and distinct comprehensive emergency and inpatient services for both adult and pediatric patients. Other Williamson Health service providers include the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, The Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, Williamson Health physician practices that are strategically located throughout the community, countywide Emergency Medical Services that include 18 rapid response units, Williamson Health Foundation, and multiple joint venture Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center Walk-In Clinics in Williamson County. Learn more about our many specialized services here at WilliamsonHealth.org.

Bone and Joint Institute

Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, part of the Williamson Health regional healthcare system, is a destination for comprehensive orthopaedic care. The state-of-the-art flagship facility in Franklin, Tennessee, is led by nationally recognized physicians with expertise in orthopaedic surgery, arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement, sports medicine and spinal surgery. The facility also includes an onsite ambulatory surgery center and a Rehabilitation Services department, a team of physical and occupational therapists working alongside physicians to offer personalized care. Bone and Joint Institute also operates orthopaedic urgent care and physical therapy clinics in Brentwood, Nolensville, Spring Hill, Thompson’s Station (Tollgate) and West Franklin. For more information, visit BoneAndJointTN.org.

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