2026 Healthcare in a Civil Society: Caring for the Whole Patient: The Interplay of Spirituality and the Delivery of Care

Fort Worth, TX US
February 21, 2026

Description

Registration cost is $25
Registration cost with CE credit is $40
Registration cost for full/part time students is $10 (ID will be required at check-in)

 

Traditional healthcare often centers on treating the body, but people are far more complex than their physical selves. Whether or not clinicians consider themselves religious or spiritual, many patients do—and those beliefs can profoundly influence healing.

Healthcare in a Civil Society 2026 will explore how healthcare professionals can care for the whole patient by bridging the gap between spirituality and medicine. Titled “Caring for the Whole Patient: The Interplay of Spirituality and the Delivery of Care,” this year’s symposium invites clinicians, ethicists, caregivers, and others to engage in meaningful dialogue about integrating spiritual perspectives into clinical practice.

Through dynamic presentations and interactive discussions, participants will explore key questions such a

  • When does a conversation about spirituality enhance patient care, and when might it cross professional boundaries?
  • How do patients’ spiritual or religious beliefs shape their medical choices?
  • What should providers do when those beliefs conflict with recommended treatment?

The symposium will address the delicate balance between personal belief, professional responsibility, and patient autonomy, offering ethical frameworks and communication strategies for navigating these conversations. Participants will also examine how spiritual and religious worldviews influence decision-making, particularly in high-stakes or end-of-life care.

A central theme will be “multidimensional pain”—the recognition that pain is not solely physical but also emotional, social, and spiritual. Attendees will explore approaches to addressing spiritual distress, an often-overlooked barrier to healing.

Throughout the event, compassionate communication will be emphasized as the foundation for understanding patients’ values and fostering trust. Ultimately, the symposium invites healthcare professionals to broaden their understanding of healing and reaffirm that caring for the whole patient means honoring the spiritual dimensions of health and illness.

 

Target Audience

This program is open to all healthcare professionals who work in primary care, healthcare institutions and academia.  Full-time and part-time students are welcome and will receive a discounted rate.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Explain the concept of “caring for the whole patient” and describe how spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions influence health and healing;
  • Describe how patients’ religious and spiritual worldviews influence medical decision-making; 
  • Describe the concept of “multidimensional pain” that integrates physical, emotional, social, and spiritual distress and their role in planning patient care;
  • Assess the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing patients’ spiritual and emotional needs; and
  • Articulate a vision for the future of care delivery that fully integrates ethical, spiritual, and holistic approaches.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 4.00 ANCC
  • 4.00 AOA Category 2-A
  • 4.00 ASWB Credit
  • 4.00 Certified Public Health (CPH)
  • 4.00 Ethics
  • 4.00 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • 4.00 HSC Participation
Course opens: 
11/15/2025
Course expires: 
03/22/2026
Event starts: 
02/21/2026 - 8:30am CST
Event ends: 
02/21/2026 - 1:00pm CST
Cost:
$40.00
Add to calendar: 
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February 21st
Welcome & Introductions
Stephen Brotherton, MD
08:30am - 08:50am
The Honorable Pete Geren
08:30am - 08:50am
Keynote Speaker
Jeff Bishop, MD, PhD
08:50am - 09:25am
Introduce Panel
The Honorable Pete Geren
09:25am - 09:35am
First Panel Discussion
Jeff Bishop, MD, PhD, Devan Stahl, PhD, Kimbell Kornu, MD, PhD, Angela MacDonald, MDiv, MSW, Stephen Couch, MD
09:35am - 10:35am
Breakout Session
Led by Ethic Consortium Leaders
10:35am - 11:25am
2nd Panel Discussion
The Honorable Pete Geren
11:30am - 12:30pm
Ethical Application
Stuart Pickell, MD, MDiv
12:30pm - 12:50pm
Summary/Closing and Next Steps
Stuart Pickell, MD, MDiv, Stephen Brotherton, MD
12:50pm - 01:00pm
TCU Burnett School of Medicine
1100 W. Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
United States
TCU Burnett School of Medicine
Course Director(s)

Stuart Pickell, MD, MDiv

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Moderator(s)

Stephen Brotherton, MD, DABOS, FAAOS

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Speaker(s)

Stephen Couch, MA, ACC, HEC-C

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Pete Geren, none related to the seminar

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Kimbell Kornu, MD, PhD

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Angela MacDonald

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Stuart Pickell, MD, MDiv

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Devan Stahl, PhD, MDiv, HEC-C

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth and Tarrant County Ethics Consortium is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing Education for the healthcare team. 

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. 

American Osteopathic Association

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to award continuing medical education to physicians. 

Ethics/Professional Responsibility Credit

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth determined that this CME activity provides 4 hours towards the Texas State Board of Medical Examiner's standard, annual ethics/professional responsibility requirement.

National Board of Public Health Examiners

This activity is approved for 4.00 credit(s) accepted by the National Board of Public Health Examiners' Certified Public Health (CPH) recertification program.

Texas Administrative Code

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth certifies this activity meets the requirements for continuing education for Texas-licensed Professional Counselors and Texas-licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. 

Designations

Physicians

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth designates this program for a maximum of 4 hours of AOA Category 1B/2B CME credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the activity. 

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth designates this activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Certified Public Health Professionals

This activity provides 4.00 contact hours.

Social Workers

Social Workers completing this course receive 4.00 contact hour of continuing education credits. 

Licensed Professional Counselors

This activity provides 4.00 contact hours.

Certificate of Attendance

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth certifies this activity for 4.00 hour of participation.

Available Credit

  • 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 4.00 ANCC
  • 4.00 AOA Category 2-A
  • 4.00 ASWB Credit
  • 4.00 Certified Public Health (CPH)
  • 4.00 Ethics
  • 4.00 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • 4.00 HSC Participation

Interested in being an exhibitor?  Please call Kelly Zarwell at (817) 735-2943

Price

Cost:
$40.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Requests for refunds must be received in writing by February 2, 2026, to receive a full refund less a $10 admin fee.  Refund requests must be received in writing by HSC, [email protected].  No refunds will be issued after February 2, 2026, except for documented medical emergencies. No shows are not eligible for refunds.