Letter from the President and CEO June 2026

Dear Reader,

Greetings and welcome to June - the last month of the Institute’s fiscal year. Reflecting on what the past year has brought, I am filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude for all we have accomplished together. Perhaps you were one of over 100 clinicians who joined us for the Psychotherapy & Faith Conference, or one of over 300 who joined for the Conference on Medicine & Religion. Or, maybe you participated in an internship, helping to support our medical education initiatives with research insights. You may be a faith leader who worked with us to bring evidence-based health programs to your church or temple. Did you become certified as an ISCC volunteer and serve in a long-term care setting? Or, it could be that you simply read our newsletters each month. However you connected with us over the past year, you are part of our story of impact, and I extend a heartfelt thank you to you!

In the spirit of connectedness, I want to personally invite you to participate in our DAY OF GIVING, to be held on Friday, June 26. Please bookmark this date - see below - and consider making a financial contribution when it comes, which will help the Institute launch into a new fiscal year with a strong foundation. And, throughout the month of June, look out for posts across our social platforms, highlighting fun and interesting facts about the Institute and the impact we are making across the region. Stay tuned for more details!

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that this month begins the 71st year of the Institute’s existence. Emerging from our historic 70th anniversary feels meaningful, especially in the wake of the recent Illumination Dinner, during which many of our most ardent supporters gathered to celebrate the Institute and hear remarks by Dr. Sunita Puri, who reflected on deep themes at the intersection of palliative care, spirituality, and healthcare ethics. She reminded us that “treatment” differs from “care,” and that we must strive for a form of healthcare in which both patient and practitioner are met with a sense of dignity, wholeness, and complex subjectivity.

May you move through June with peace and grace - I look forward to seeing you soon.

Warmly,
Stuart

Stuart C. Nelson
President & CEO
Loise Henderson Wessendorff Chair