Institute for Spirituality and Health

04/27/2026

Join us for an inspiring Houston IANDS at the Texas Medical Center online meeting next week featuring a near-death experiencer Steve Boyles and his wife, Dr. Kathy Boyles. Discover how near-death experiences can deepen spiritual faith and gain insights into patient care for the critically ill. Open to all curious minds interested in the transformative power of these experiences. From the brink of death to a supernatural encounter with heaven—Steve and Kathy’s story is one of the most powerful testimonies you’ll ever hear.

Don’t miss Steve & Kathy Boyles next week!

Tuesday, May 5 | 6:00 - 8:30 PM CT
Virtual via Zoom

Learn more & register at https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events/houstoniandsboyles

Houston IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies) at the Texas Medical Center serves as a safe space to support those who have had a near-death experience as they integrate their experience into their lives. Houston IANDS also serves to inform the public about NDEs and the lessons and messages that experiencers bring back, and to educate the medical community to recognize and appropriately treat people who have had an NDE.

04/20/2026

Did you know that we have a healthy recipe blog?

As part of our Cities for Better Health-Houston initiative, we’ve partnered with Chef Johanna Garcia from Bite of HOPE to create monthly posts featuring seasonal, nutrient-dense meals that nourish both the body and the spirit.

Chef Garcia has curated a collection of delicious, easy-to-follow recipes designed to support your wellness goals without compromising on flavor. Whether you're looking for a quick 15-minute salad or a hearty plant-based curry, we’ve got your kitchen inspiration covered.

Explore the full blog for step-by-step instructions and nutritional tips to help you lead a healthier life.

👉 www.spiritualityandhealth.org/healthyrecipes

04/08/2026

Join us for an evening of inspiration at The Illumination Dinner benefiting the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the TMC Helix Park.

We are honored to feature keynote speaker Dr. Sunita Puri, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she is the Director of the Inpatient Palliative Care Service. She is author of the critically acclaimed memoir "That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour." Dr. Puri will explore how compassionate language empowers patients and physicians to navigate the complexities of life and medicine.

Dr. Sunita Puri’s journey is uniquely defined by the intersection of medicine and spirituality. As the daughter of an anesthesiologist and a devout family, she grew up witnessing the tension between medicine’s drive to preserve life and a spiritual embrace of its temporality. This profound perspective led her to palliative medicine—a field dedicated to bridging the gap between medical intervention and compassionate, quality-of-life care.

RSVP Today!
https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events/illuminationdinner

04/07/2026

Deepen your yoga journey and share the gift of mindfulness. Join us for one of our Yoga Teacher Training & National Certification Courses this summer at the Institute! Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, everyone is welcome.

Choose between two sessions:
🗓️ May 2 - 9, 2026
🗓️ July 25 - August 1, 2026

Spaces fill quickly—reserve your spot today!
www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events

04/03/2026

Join us for the 2026 Illumination Dinner benefiting the Institute for Spirituality and Health on Tuesday, May 19th!

This year, we dive into the intersection of medicine and humanity with keynote speaker Dr. Sunita Puri, Director of UC Irvine Palliative Care. Her work on compassionate communication is transforming how we navigate the complexities of serious illness.

We are also honored to present the 2026 Rabbi Samuel E. Karff Caring Heart Award to the incredible Melanie Lawson, for her tireless advocacy and commitment to the Houston community.

🗓️ May 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 TMC Helix Park, Houston, TX

Learn more and RSVP at www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events/illuminationdinner

Our mission is to enhance well-being by exploring the relationship between spirituality and health.

03/20/2026

The intersection of healthcare and spirituality is a complex, vital space. Yesterday, Stuart Nelson, the Institute's president and CEO, Dr. Kerry Horrell of The Menninger Clinic & Baylor College of Medicine, and Rev. Laura Mayo of Covenant Church sat down for an enlightening conversation to preview the upcoming Conference on Medicine and Religion.

They explored the essential questions: Where should these two worlds intersect to improve patient care, and where should they maintain their distinct boundaries?

Catch the full discussion and get a sneak peek into the national conference at the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/live/_D-Xq_ouFVg?si=pBfMmSUpmfKBfMNA&t=1258

Today on Houston Matters, delays in heavy trash pickup around the city are forcing some residents to take matters into their own hands. We find out what’s be...

03/18/2026

LAST CHANCE: Join us THIS SUNDAY in Houston!

The Conference on Medicine and Religion is beginning this weekend, and we have a special invitation for the local community: Our exclusive Educational Excursions and Interactive Workshops are happening THIS SUNDAY ONLY (March 22) and are open to the general public!

You do not need to be registered for the full conference to attend these Sunday sessions.

🗓️ Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026
💰 Cost: $50
📍 Location: Hilton Houston Post Oak in the Galleria

Sunday’s Special Programming:

Educational Excursions (12:45 PM – 5:15 PM): Immersive tours of Houston’s most spiritual and healing spaces, including the Rothko Chapel, Live Oak Friends Meeting, Ismaili Center Houston, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON.

Interactive Workshops (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Expert-led sessions on Faith-Engaged Public Health, Bioethics, and the "Healer’s Ethos."

✨ Registration is closing fast! Don’t miss this one-day opportunity to explore the intersection of faith and medicine.

🔗 Register for Sunday sessions here: https://www.medicineandreligion.com/registration-and-fees.html

03/03/2026

Houston Diabetes and Healthy Living Peer Support Network

Managing diabetes is a multifaceted challenge that benefits significantly from community support. The CORE Initiative, in partnership with The Institute for Spirituality and Health, offers a structured Peer Support Network designed to provide practical wisdom and encouragement for those navigating life with diabetes.

Peer Support facilitators utilize a specialized curriculum developed by the Peer Support Action Work Group—a collaborative team of healthcare providers, community health workers, and individuals living with diabetes. The program follows evidence-based recommendations established by Peers for Progress at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health.

The Peer Support network provides both virtual and in-person meeting formats, including some Spanish-speaking options. These sessions are provided free of charge to the community!

For those interested in attending an in-person session or seeking more information, visit https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/peersupport

02/18/2026

In honor of Heart Health Month, the Houston Health Department's Office of Chronic Disease has hosted two lunch & learn sessions a week to teach heart-healthy tips, education, and healthy habits.

It's not too late to attend the last two sessions! Use the QR codes below to register to attend.

02/13/2026

We are proud to announce that the 2026 Steve Thorney Spiritual Care Award will be presented to Enric Benito, MD, PhD.

Dr. Benito is more than an oncologist; he is a world-renowned reference for the "humanization" of the dying process. After decades in clinical oncology, Dr. Benito experienced a deep professional shift, dedicating his life to understanding the spiritual dimension of suffering. As the former Chairman of the Spanish Task Force on Spiritual Care (SECPAL), his work has redefined how we accompany patients at the end of life.

This award recognizes those who, like retired chaplain Steve Thorney, have dedicated their lives to providing a "healing environment" that transcends physical medicine.

Join us on April 10–11 as Dr. Benito also delivers the keynote lecture: "Cultivating Presence Is A Path We Can Take Every Day."

🔗 Register today: https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/collectivesoul

02/05/2026

Turn Your Passion into a Purpose-Driven Career!

Are you ready to deepen your practice and share the gift of yoga with others? Join us at the Institute for Spirituality and Health for our upcoming Yoga Teacher Training & National Certification Course starting February 28, 2026!

Led by the experienced Farida Meguid, Director of the Yoga Institute, this comprehensive program is perfect for:
✅ Students wanting to deepen their personal practice.
✅ Aspiring teachers looking for National Certification (200 & 300-hour).
✅ Current teachers wanting to refine their skills.

The Yoga Institute's 51-year-proven model covers everything from ancient yogic traditions to the "Business of Yoga," giving you the confidence to teach or even open your own studio.

📍 Where: In-person at the Institute (Houston, TX)
📅 When: Starts Feb 28th – March 7th
⚠️ Space is limited to 10 students!

Ready to start your journey? 👉 Register at www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events

02/02/2026

Integrating Spiritual Care into Clinical Practice: Join us for the 15th Annual Collective Soul Symposium, jointly presented by the Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center and dedicated to the intersection of palliative care, spirituality, and medicine.

This year’s theme, "Living the Integration of Spiritual Care and Creating Healing Environments in our Daily Clinical Practice," invites healthcare professionals to explore how we can alleviate spiritual distress and enhance the human spirit amidst life-threatening illness.

We are honored to feature Enric Benito Oliver, MD, PhD, a renowned specialist in Medical Oncology and Palliative Care and the 2026 Steve Thorney Lecture Awardee.

🗓 Dates: April 10–11, 2026
💻 Format: Virtual Activity through the MD Anderson Professional Education Portal
🎓 Credits: Up to 13.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, Nursing Contact Hours, and Social Work CEUs available.

This symposium is designed for physicians, chaplains, ministers, clergy, spiritual care counselors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and all members of the interdisciplinary palliative care team.

Register today to advance your practice and earn continuing education credits: https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events/css2026