University of South Alabama to host neuroimmunology symposium in downtown Mobile

By Michelle Ryan-Day
[email protected]

The University of South Alabama Department of Neurology will host a Neuroimmunology Symposium on Aug. 13-15, 2026, at The Admiral Hotel in downtown Mobile, bringing together leading experts to advance the care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and autoimmune encephalitis.

The three-day symposium is designed to enhance provider competency, improve patient outcomes, and support holistic care for individuals living with neuroimmunological diseases. In addition to clinical updates, the program emphasizes caregiver education and connections to local and national resources that address the full spectrum of patient needs.

“These conditions are highly complex and manifest differently in every individual, making timely diagnosis and seamless management dependent on a united medical front,” said William Kilgo, M.D., FAAN, associate professor of neurology at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, and chief of the Neuroimmunology Division and director of the neurology residency program at USA Health, the university’s academic health system.  

“Often, the first point of contact for a patient isn't a specialist, but a primary care physician, emergency medicine provider or physical therapist,” Kilgo said. “By closing educational gaps across specialties, we can accelerate time to treatment and build a stronger, more coordinated care network.”

Targeted to neurologists, primary care providers, rheumatologists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, residents, students and allied health professionals, the symposium offers a multidisciplinary learning environment focused on collaborative care and evidence-based practice.

Educational objectives include reviewing updated diagnostic criteria for MS, NMOSD, and autoimmune encephalitis; evaluating FDA-approved and supportive therapies; and identifying local resources and patient assistance programs to improve long-term disease management.

According to Kilgo, advances in neuroimmunology are transforming care for patients with these disorders.

“We are living in an era of unprecedented progress,” he said. “Today, we aren't just managing symptoms; we are targeting the precise mechanisms of disease. This symposium will spotlight new, highly effective and emerging disease-modifying therapies for MS, NMOSD, MOG antibody disease and autoimmune encephalitis, showcasing how modern medicine is shifting the prognosis from managing decline to preserving long-term quality of life.”

The event also represents a milestone for patients and families across the Gulf Coast.

“This marks a historic first for our region,” Kilgo said. “Historically, accessing leading-edge neuroimmunology education or specialized advocacy resources often meant traveling to major medical centers. By hosting this event locally, we are creating a shared learning space where clinicians, patients and families can come together, fostering a dialogue that bridges clinical science and lived experience.”

Registration is $150 for USA faculty, $75 for all other attendees and complimentary for residents, students and patients with MS and their families. Sessions will include breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and evening receptions. Registration is available here.

Featured speakers include USA faculty in the Whiddon College of Medicine and USA Health clinicians, including:

• William Kilgo, M.D., neurologist specializing in MS and associate professor of neurology;
• John Soltys, M.D., Ph.D., neuroimmunology specialist and assistant professor of neurology;
• Stephen Aita, M.D., clinical neuropsychologist, and assistant professor of neurology;
• Alex Fortin, LMSW, social worker in the USA Health Department of Neurology;
• Luis Purisaca-Neira, M.D., third-year neurology resident at USA Health;
• Jaryn Barnickel, CNCT, neurology technologist at USA Health;
• Benjamin Jones, M.D., neurologist, and neuroimmunologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and
• Graham Driskell, Pharm.D., second-year pharmacy resident at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

The symposium will provide continuing medical education credits and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at improving the lives of patients affected by neuroimmunological disease.

“Education and community are two of the most powerful tools we have in modern medicine,” Kilgo said. “Whether you are a clinician looking to sharpen your diagnostic toolkit or a patient seeking clarity and connection, your voice and presence matter. We are proud to bring this level of collaborative learning to the Gulf Coast and look forward to building a brighter, more informed future together.”