Letter from the President and CEO June 2025

Dear Reader,

As we move further into the summer season and wrap the Institute’s 2025-2026 fiscal year, I find myself thinking about the gift of community. Reflecting on the past year’s programs and initiatives, it is impossible not to think about the groups of people who show up every day, individually and collectively, to advance our mission. Each of our four Centers of Excellence has a robust community that shapes and guides it, which is something to celebrate.

Yesterday, the local Host Committee for the 2026 Conference on Medicine and Religion, which will be held in Houston from March 22 to 24, convened for its first meeting. Twenty-one leaders from twelve organizations reflected on their personal and professional interests in the intersection of medicine and religion, with many discussing transformative experiences in medicine that have shaped their views on patient care. We heard about defining patient encounters, the use of spiritual and religious resources to guide difficult decisions, and moments of insight and clarity. Together, this group will synthesize their wisdom into a theme to guide next year’s conference proceedings. What a gift!

There are many examples of this kind of coming together around meaningful work. From our Nursing Conference Planning Committee, to the Interfaith Spiritual Care Coalition’s dedicated volunteers, to the Greater Houston Healing Collaborative’s facilitators, to our student interns who always inspire us with their innovative ideas and approaches – we are surrounded by examples of spirit-infused groups working together to enhance well-being among those they serve. Our collective impact often reaches beyond what we initially thought was possible.

May this summer greet you, friend, with the embrace of community and togetherness. And, if you are unsure of what community to connect with, please consider deepening your relationship with the Institute. Our doors are open!

Warmly,
Stuart 

Stuart C. Nelson
President and CEO
Loise Henderson Wessendorff Chair