Spirituality and End of Life Care Conference
February 7, 2026 | Nashville, TN
ANCC-NCPD Contact Hours are available for all registered nurses.
Overview
Join Vanderbilt Divinity and the Vanderbilt School of Nursing for the Spirituality and End of Life Care Conference, a free, one-day event addressing the intersection of spiritual care, end of life care and health disparities.
Disparities in health care access and quality are pronounced in end of life care, particularly for racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, Indigenous populations and economically disadvantaged communities.
Students, faculty, health care providers, community members and academic experts will consider how health inequities and spiritual and cultural factors influence end of life access, hospice utilization and outcomes, and explore practical solutions.
Highlights
- Keynote Presentations: Leading experts share on end of life care, spirituality, health inequities and cultural-spiritual awareness, including supporting Indigenous and LGBTQ+ individuals in end of life contexts.
- Panel Discussions: Hear from community members and learn perspectives from indigenous and marginalized communities.
- Interactive Workshops: Take part in activities focused on hands-on learning experiences, interdisciplinary discussion and practical applications of spiritual assessment and ethical considerations.
What to Expect
- Develop a deeper understanding of the need for integration of spiritual care in end of life settings
- Gain insight into multicultural perspectives on death and dying
- Connect with a collaborative network of professionals committed to addressing spiritual needs in underserved populations
- Enhance your skills through hands-on learning experiences and interdisciplinary dialogue
Registration Information
Limited spots are available for this inspiring one-day conference. Participants will have the opportunity to earn ANCC contact hours and continuing education units (CEUs).
The conference is free, but pre-registration is required.
Significance
While medical aspects of hospice and palliative care have received increasing attention in recent years, the spiritual dimensions that profoundly influence patient and family experiences remain under addressed in both education and practice. Research demonstrates that neglecting spiritual needs contributes to poorer outcomes, increased suffering and complicated grief for families.
Don’t miss your chance to contribute to this vital conversation about spirituality and end of life care.
Agenda
| 7:30 a.m. | Doors Open |
| 8:00 a.m. | Registration, Breakfast, Toolkit explanation |
| 8:30 a.m. | Team Introduction, Conference Essentials & Grant Explanation |
| 9:00 a.m. | Welcome, Dean Pamela Jeffries, Vanderbilt School of Nursing Welcome Dean Yolanda Pierce, School of Divinity |
| 9:20 a.m. | Photos |
| 9:45 a.m. | Speaker — Dr. Candy Wilson |
| 10:30 a.m. | Activity 1 & Journal Explanation |
| 11:15 a.m. | Break |
| 11:30 a.m. | Speaker — Dr. Gloria Littlemouse |
| 12:15 p.m. | Activity 2: Journaling |
| 12:45 p.m. | Lunch Blessing — Ian Cullen |
| 1:15 p.m. | Lunch with music from Blair Music students |
| 2:00 p.m. | Cultural-Spiritual Awareness Panel Khette Cox & Dahron Johnson |
| 3:15 p.m. | Cultural-Spiritual Awareness Panel Rejon Taylor & Graham Reside |
| 3:45 p.m. | Break |
| 4:00 p.m. | Spirituality Toolkit Five Wishes, INELDA, Evaluation & Reflections |
| 4:45 p.m. | Conference Wrap |
Conference Registration
There is no cost to attendees.
If you at any time need to cancel your registration, please contact the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Office of External Learning at vusnofficeofexternallearning@vanderbilt.edu
Destination
Nashville, TN
About Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s historic campus has unequaled natural beauty, making it an oasis nestled in the bustling city of Nashville, Tennessee. Its 340-acre campus is designated as an arboretum with more than 6,000 trees and shrubs in 190 varieties.
The Divinity School is located between Vanderbilt’s Heard Central Library and Management Hall, just off 21st Avenue South.
View map
About Nashville
The nickname Music City U.S.A., encompasses many kinds of music, ranging from the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers to the nation’s longest running radio show, The Grand Ole Opry. You can see and hear live music day and night in Nashville. The city boasts hundreds of music venues including arenas, concert halls, small clubs and even street corners.
Professional sports, great outdoor activities and a delicious reputation as a foodie destination combine to make Nashville a popular place to visit. It’s also increasingly being selected by a variety of businesses for major facilities or headquarters, including Oracle, Amazon, Mitsubishi, Facebook and Asurion.
Accommodations
With more than 500 health care related firms, Music City is a major health care hub; health care contributes approximately $47.6 billion of economic impact in the Nashville area each year. Globally, the city’s health care companies generate more than $92 billion in revenue and more than 570,000 jobs
See visitmusiccity.com for more information on Nashville's history and nowplayingnashville.com for more Nashville events.
Ready to Register?
Join us on February 7th.