Williamson Health Foundation presents Connect. Compete. Care., a panel event focused on building strong athletes and families both on the field and in the community. The event, which is hosted in collaboration with Williamson Health, Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee and Champion Forward, will be held on Tuesday, July 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee main campus located at 3000 Edward Curd Lane in Franklin.
During the event, expert panelists will share real stories, practical tools and meaningful conversations designed to support student-athletes and the people who guide them. Discussions will explore how to strengthen mental and physical wellness, build emotional resilience and foster deeper connection—both on and off the field.
Featured panelists include:
- Colin Looney, M.D. – Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee
- Allen Sills, M.D. – Chief Medical Officer, National Football League
- Ben Zobrist – Former Major League Baseball All-Star, 2016 World Series Most Valuable Player for the Chicago Cubs, and Founder of Champion Forward
“We are extremely proud to be a part of bringing this event to our local athletes and their families,” said Dr. Andy Russell, Williamson Health Chief Medical Officer. “Our incredible panel will bring some very important issues to the forefront sharing their own experiences and examples. Young athletes need to be supported both mentally and physically, so our hope is that this night sparks continued conversation surrounding their overall well-being.”
Additional representatives from Williamson Health, Bone and Joint Institute, and the Williamson Health Foundation will also be in attendance to provide insights into each organization’s resources for the local community.
As part of the healthcare system’s commitment to student-athletes, Bone and Joint Institute, in partnership with Williamson Health, offers comprehensive sports medicine services to all Williamson County public high schools at no cost to the district. Bone and Joint Institute orthopaedists serve as the team physicians at each school and athletic trainers are present on campus for all practices and home games supporting over 7,500 student-athletes across 23 TSSAA varsity sports. Williamson Health also provides on-site Emergency Medical Services for every high school’s home varsity football games.
Admission to the event is free, but registration is required. To register, click here. To account for limited space, ticket reservations are limited to four per email address.
“I’m honored to be part of this discussion focused on setting athletes up for success both in sports and beyond. It’s something I wish I had when I was younger,” said Zobrist. “Innovative events like this demonstrate Williamson Health and Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee’s commitment to caring for the communities they serve while offering an opportunity for these important conversations to start early.”
This event is open to student-athletes ages 13 and older, as well as parents, offering 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.
Compete. Compete. Care. Partners
ABOUT CHAMPION FORWARD
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.
ABOUT 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 Boyer-Bryan West Tower in 2024, 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 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 at WilliamsonHealth.org.
ABOUT BONE AND JOINT INSTITUTE OF TENNESSEE
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.
ABOUT WILLIAMSON HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Williamson Health Foundation, Inc., serves as the charitable and development arm that supports Williamson Medical Center, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center and Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee in providing best-in-class healthcare services to the families of our community. The Foundation oversees capital projects and health outreach programs, seeking charitable gifts of all types to provide ways to continuously improve the quality of patient care. To learn more about the Williamson Health Foundation, visit https://williamsonhealth.org/williamson-health-foundation/.
