Institute for 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

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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

01/27/2026

Are you called to be a spiritual care volunteer?

The Interfaith Spiritual Care Coalition (ISCC) at the Institute trains Houston area volunteers to provide spiritual care where traditional chaplaincy is unavailable, such as nursing homes or hospice care facilities.

Our volunteers support those who may feel isolated or are near the end of their lives, offering compassionate conversations about purpose, meaning, and faith, or just a listening ear. Through our program, they develop skills to create meaningful connections in challenging times.

If you feel called to help, join us for our next in-person training on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Learn more and register at www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events/iscctraining22126 or click the Upcoming Events link in our bio!

us for our next in-person training on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

11/20/2025

Registration is now open for the 2026 Conference on Medicine and Religion! Co-hosted by the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center and Ethics Initiative at Baylor University, this annual conference is being held in Houston this year to celebrate the Institute’s 70th anniversary in the Texas Medical Center.

The 2026 Conference on Medicine and Religion invites participants to explore how the expressions of religious traditions have the capacity to critique and to creatively reimagine medicine and the pursuit of healing. How do religious and medical voices speak prophetically to today's critical issues: institutional collapse, medical workforce shortages, scientific distrust, moral injury, and emerging technologies? How do cultural, musical, textual, and artistic expressions from religious traditions help communities hold grief, envision justice, and rekindle hope?

As always, we welcome scholarly engagement with theological and clinical questions. But this year, we also create space for experience: to hear sacred music, to share meals, to dwell in ritual, and to witness one another’s traditions.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and community!

When: March 22 - 24, 2026
Where: In-person at the Hilton Houston Post Oak
Register at: https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/cmr

Early bird pricing ends February 22! CME Available.

Karff Center

11/13/2025

Happy World Kindness Day 🌏💖 Today, share a smile, lend a helping hand, or surprise someone with a heartfelt note. Let’s light up the world with good deeds and warm wishes!

Together, we can create ripples of love!

11/12/2025

Congratulations on a successful graduation of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Class at St. Alban's Episcopal Church Houston! These classes are part of the Institute’s ongoing Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program, facilitated through the Faith & Diabetes Initiative.

Nineteen participants, along with their guests, learned vital skills for managing and preventing diabetes. Special thanks to District H Councilman Mario Castillo, District 2 Commissioner Adrián García, and Reverend Greg Seme for their support and collaboration. Attendees received helpful resources, gifts, and free assistance with health insurance renewals from representatives of Medicare, Medicaid, and other providers. Overall, the event was a resounding success—empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources to lead healthier lives and support their families in doing the same.

Together, we’re equipping our communities to lead healthier, happier lives!

Learn how you can support your community with education and resources by visiting https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/faithanddiabetes

11/06/2025

The abstract submission window is now closed, but the student essay competition is still open! Go to https://www.medicineandreligion.com/ to submit your essay now. Submissions will be accepted until Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

If you haven't already, save the date for the 2026 Conference on Medicine and Religion, which will be held at the Hilton Houston Post Oak from Sunday, March 22, 2026, to Tuesday, March 24, 2026.