Science on Spiritual Health Symposium 2026

From the venue:

The Annual Science on Spiritual Health Symposium convenes clinicians, researchers, educators, and students dedicated to advancing the science of spiritual health across academic medicine and clinical practice.

This year’s program will feature keynote presentations from two of the nation’s leading scientists whose work bridges spiritual inquiry and empirical research:
• George Fitchett, DMin, PhD, Professor and Associate Dean for Research at RUSH University, whose pioneering scholarship examines spiritual care interventions and integrative approaches to patient well-being.
• Boris Heifets, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Stanford Medicine, is internationally recognized for his research on the neuroscience of consciousness, empathy, and compassion.

In addition, MOSAIC: Psychedelics and Religious Traditions, presented by Jay Michaelson, will explore two emerging priorities in healthcare: developing culturally competent and supportive care for individuals with psychedelic experience, and advancing evidence-based dialogue around therapeutic access and clinical applications.

Together, Drs. Fitchett, Heifets, and Michaelson will guide participants through a rigorous and reflective exploration of how cross-disciplinary research can inspire holistic models of care that honor both mind and spirit.