Clergy, Physicians and Hundreds of Washington-Area Residents Gather to Discuss the Connection between Spirituality and Medicine

WASHINGTON (April 23, 2003) – Hundreds of Washington-area residents will gather for workshops and seminars during the 13th Annual Spirituality and Medicine Conference Thursday, May 2, to Saturday, May 5, at the Grand Hyatt, 1000 H. Street N.W.

Leading physicians and clergy from across the nation will hold seminars and panel discussions to examine the connection between spiritual well-being and physical health.

The Rev. Annie Lanier, co-chair of the event, director of Pastoral Care at Howard University Hospital and an associate minister at Metropolitan Baptist Church, said the conference, sponsored by Howard University Hospital, is an event for every denomination and faith.

“Participants will hear information that will be beneficial for their spiritual growth and physical well being,” Lanier said.  “Regardless of our religions, we are all spiritual in some way, and as such, when we are in distress or in a difficult situation, such as a major health issue, that is when we call on a power greater than us, whatever name we call that power, for support and assistance.

“So, there is something at this conference for everyone.”

The conference will begin at 8 am. Thursday and will include keynote speakers Acacia Bamberg Salatti, acting director of the Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the Rev. Fred D. Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of Urban Ministry and associate director of the Practice of Ministry and Mission at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, and Bishop Dr. Horace E. Smith, a member of the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplant at Children’s Memorial Hospital at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Cameron Byrd, Ph.D., of the Howard University School of Divinity will moderate a discussion on an “Ecumenical Perspective on Spirituality and Medicine,” while Bishop C. Matthew Hudson, pastor of the Matthew Memorial Baptist Church in Washington, will talk about how “Meditative Prayer Can Make a Difference,” and Dr. Kerry Lewis, interim chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital will discuss “The Role of the Blood in Health Promotion.”

The day will close at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and an ecumenical worship service led by the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., with music by Mycah Chevalier.

Friday’s sessions, which will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will begin with a seminar on “Developing and Sustaining Faithful Agents of Transformation for Healthy Communities,” moderated by Tom Pruski, program director of Wesley Theological Seminary at Mt. Vernon Square. 

Other sessions include “Regulating the Blood Pressure: Fact or Fiction,” with Dr. Bafemi Adenuga, interim chair of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital; “The Cardiovascular System and Blood that Works,” with Dr. Mario L. Majette, a physician with over 16 years of experience and practices in Family Medicine and Public Health & General Preventive Medicine; “The Importance of Kidney Health and the Blood,” with Dr. Clive O. Callender, professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital and one of the nation’s preeminent transplant surgeons, and “Stigma-The Attitude that Spreads Disease, Violates Human Rights and Kills,” with Dr. Sohail Rana, an assistant professor and pediatric hematologist/oncologist in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital.

The day ends with the Spirituality and Medicine Recognition Banquet, which last year attracted over 1,000 participants.  A prayer brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday with Judge Penny Brown Reynolds concludes the event.

For a full schedule and to register, visit www.spirtandmed.com or call (202) 865-4238.