The Institute for Spirituality and Health to Host 30th Annual Nursing Conference And Honor Deserving Healthcare Professionals on Oct. 21
HOUSTON, Texas (Oct. 17, 2022) -- The Institute for Spirituality and Health (The Institute) is bringing awareness to the vital role that spirituality plays in the life of nurses with the presentation of its annual nursing conference. This virtual event, "Embracing Our Past, Envisioning Our Future: A Legacy of Nursing at ISH,” will be held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. via Zoom.
General admission to the conference is $35. Attendees will be awarded 3.0 Nursing Professional contact hours accredited by the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. To register and for more information, click here.
In connection with this conference, The Institute also will present the Emma Josephine Loffelholz McMorris Spirituality in Nursing Award to a nominee from participating medical institutions. Emma Josephine Loffelholz McMorris was a devoted nurse who frequently drew upon the spiritual longings of the soul in taking care of her patients. This award will be presented to the following honorees:
Dr. Michelle DeBose, PhD, MSN, MSEd, CNEcl, Prairie View A&M University, College of Nursing
Jennifer Esparza, BSN, RNC-OB, C-ONQS, C-EFM, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
Dr. Judith McFarlane, RN, Texas Woman's University
Laila Puthenpurayil, RN, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Olexandra “Sasha” Shevchenko, RN, Houston Methodist Hospital
"Now more than ever, nurses need resources that address their well-being so that they can continue to take care of the patients they serve. Nurses are the heartbeat of the healthcare professions and an indispensable part of the team,” commented Stuart Nelson, The Institute’s acting president and executive vice president. “We are honoring nurses who embody spirituality, compassion, communication, and commitment – values that our Nursing Award’s namesake, Emma Josephine Loffelholz McMorris, demonstrated throughout her years of nursing.”
Collaborating with several Texas Medical Center hospitals, The Institute has hosted this conference specifically for nurses for the past 30 years. The conference is designed to address topics such as including self-care, spiritual intelligence, and maintaining a spiritual presence in the digital age. Attendees will have the opportunity to do the following:
Discuss the origins of spirituality in nursing
Explore how the role of spiritual care has evolved in nursing
Discuss the importance of spiritual self-care for nurses
Explore the role of spiritual care in healing from a patient and nurse perspective
Discuss the evolution of the Institute for Spirituality in Health, the history of the Nursing Conference, and future engagement and support of nurses and the communities they serve
The featured speakers and their topics include:
Rebecca Crane-Okada, PhD, RN, CNS, AOCN, Margie Peterson Breast Cancer Center clinical program manager: “Spiritual Care as The Heart of Nursing: History and Future Directions”
John E. Welshons “Ramananda,” MA, One Soul One Love founder: “Foundations of Spiritual Care Within and Beyond Healthcare”
Abby Kaler, MS APRN, FNP-C, MD Anderson Cancer Center nurse practitioner: “Healing from Within: Spiritual Care for Self and Those We Serve”
“Nursing at ISH: Embracing our Past and Envisioning Our Future” panelists include:
Brent Peery, DMIN, BCC, Memorial Herman Hospital
Forrest Smith, PhD, Prairie View A&M University
George Anderson, ISH Board of Trustees Chair
Betsy Stiegler, Conference Founder and Former Administrator
The Institute is especially grateful for the following healthcare organizations and educational institutions for their participation in this year's nursing conference.
Houston Methodist Hospital
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Institute for Spirituality and Health
Memorial Hermann
Prairie View A&M University
Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Woman's University Nelda C. Stark College of Nursing
UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing
UTMB Health School of Nursing
Lone Star College Montgomery
Institute for Spirituality and Health
About The Institute
Founded in 1955, The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center was originally known as The institute of Religion. Today its Board of Trustees includes representation from each of the major faith traditions as well as leading medical, nursing and servant leaders. From its inception, The Institute has been dedicated to the concept that humans are spiritual beings, and that spirituality plays a vital role in health and healing. Each year, the Institute hosts a Nursing Conference, a Psychotherapy and Faith Conference, and are co-sponsors of the national Conference on Medicine and Religion. The Institute offers programs both live and virtually on spirituality and health related topics. The Institute’s website is https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/
The mission of The Institute for Spirituality and Health is to enhance well-being by exploring the relationship between spirituality and health. The Institute advances this mission by engaging in education, research, and direct service programs, guided by the recognition that humans are spiritual beings, and that connection is essential to well-being.
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Media Contacts: Laura Pennino, Senior PR Consultant for The Institute for Spirituality and Health
281-286-9398 office, 713 419 1776 mobile, lp@penninoandpartners.com
MaKlay Simon, PR Consultant for The Institute for Spirituality and Health
325-262-1862 mobile, maklay@penninoandpartners.com