Author: Bryan Gillmore

Bryan Gillmore serves with Karis Disability Serves as an Organizational and Spiritual Life Specialist. He is a former Executive Director and family and community Pastor. He is a father of two residing in Guelph, ON.

Famed Health and Spirituality Physician to speak at the Religion and Spirituality Interest Network Forum

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Dr. Christina Puchalski, Director of the George Washington University Institute on Spirituality and Health (GWISH), will be the guest presenter and conversation partner at this AAIDD Religion and Spirituality Interest Network’s annual Forum. It will take place on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 1-4 pm during the pre-conference program.

For decades, Dr. Puchalski has been a leader and advocate in growing attention to and developing research and practice on the impact of spirituality on health and wellness in health care settings. GWISH provides training for multi-disciplinary health care professionals as well as chaplains and clergy. It also publishes a weekly newsletter summarizing research findings from around the world.

The Forum, entitled Spirituality and the Health and Wellness of People with IDD. is an opportunity for those of us who work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn more about how spirituality is being addressed in general health care and research, as well as an opportunity for Dr. Puchalski to learn more about initiatives with people with disabilities. Her presentation will follow the awarding of Religion and Spirituality’s Reimagining Spirituality Leadership Award to Rev. Dr. Sarah McKenney, Spiritual Support and Volunteer Coordinator Stone Belt Arc in Bloomington, Indiana, who will share outcomes from her recently completed pilot program of Spiritual Engagement Coaches.

The final part of the Forum will be a dialogue with Dr. Puchalski, Erik Carter, Ph.D. Director Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, David Ervin, MS, CEO, Makom and Bill Gaventa, MDiv. Founder and Director Emeritus, Institute on Theology and Disability, Rev. Dr. McKenney along with forum attendees addressing strategies to enhance spiritual supports in disability services. Deborah Fisher, Psy.D., Deborah Fisher Consulting and Past President of the Network, will preside.

The Forum is co-sponsored his year by CQL, NADSP and Makom.

If you are attending in person, please register on the AAIDD Conference website here. There is a $35 fee.

Following the Forum there will be a short business meeting. At 6, please join members of the Religion & Spirituality Interest Network for dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill, 2200 Crystal City Drive, Arlington, VA (down the street from the conference hotel.) When registering, please indicate whether you will join us for dinner so we can provide the restaurant with a headcount.