• FOR LIFE AND FAMILY

about Converging Roads

Where Health Care Ethics and Medicine Converge
Converging Roads is a regional conference series offering continuing education for health care professionals that equips them to practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession. To learn more about Converging Roads, click here.
    • Feedback from past attendees of Converging Roads:
    • "I’m so glad I attended. It was so insightful and gave me more knowledge on how to study more about human dignity, disabled persons and the correct way to explain our duty to others (as health care providers to our patients)."
    • "It is edifying to be with so many people trying to live their faith in a field that constantly challenges the truth."
    • "Thus far in my (nascent) career, my Catholic and medical identities have unfortunately been largely separate. I’m confident that the knowledge I obtained at Converging Roads and my subsequent reflection will serve me well on my path towards becoming the Catholic physician I’m striving to be."
     

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

In-Person Ticket Options:
  • Physicians/Physician Assistants: $159
  • Nurses/Nurse Practitioners: $139
  • General Admission*: $85
  • Medical residents, clergy, or religious*: $75
  • Student Scholarship Rate**: $15
Online Ticket Options:
  • Online tickets include access to the livestream on Saturday, March 29, as well as additional access to the recordings (from noon ET on Sunday, March 30, to 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, April 2).
 
  • Physicians/Physician Assistants: $129
  • Nurses/Nurse Practitioners: $109
  • General Admission*: $55
  • Medical residents, clergy, or religious*: $45
  • Student Scholarship Rate**: $0
 
  • *Not eligible for CME/CNE credits, however, Chaplain certificates of completion can be requested upon registration for continuing education purposes.
  • **Not eligible for CME/CNE credits.
Exhibitor Opportunities:
Includes 1 exhibitor booth and admission for 1 organizational representative
  • Ministry/Non-Profit (including CME/CNE credits): $180
  • Ministry/Non-Profit (not including CME/CNE credits)*: $105
  • Vendor/For-Profit (including CME/CNE credits): $230
  • Vendor/For-Profit (not including CME/CNE credits)*: $155
 
  • *Not eligible for CME/CNE credits, however, Chaplain certificates of completion can be requested upon registration for continuing education purposes.
Sponsors:
  • If you and/or your organization is interested in joining our mission as a supporting sponsor, please click here for the Sponsorship Form. You can also submit the form online by clicking here.
 
  • For questions or more information, please contact the conference coordinator at [email protected].
Student Scholarships:
  • Undergraduate, graduate, nursing, and medical students are eligible to register for Converging Roads at the discounted rate above through the Dr. Mini Vettical Scholarship. If you are a student currently enrolled in classes and would like to attend the conference, please complete our student scholarship form prior to registering for the conference (click here).
 
  • If you are interested in providing a scholarship for a student to attend Converging Roads, you can do so at the time of registration or by clicking here.
Refund Information:
  • If you are no longer able to attend the conference, after purchasing your ticket, you may choose to transfer your registration fees to a student in need, or request a refund.
 
  • All refunds must be requested 2 weeks prior to the conference. The last day to request a refund is Friday, March 14. All refund requests made on or after March 15 will not be accepted, but the funds will automatically be transferred to a student in need. Please email [email protected] to transfer your registration or request a refund.

TOPICS

  • Navigating Moral Cooperation in Medicine
  • Sr. Michaela Serpa, FSE, MA, PharmD, BCPS
  •  
  • Religious Liberty of the Health Care Professional
  • Gwyneth Anne Spaeder, MD
  •  
  • A Catholic Response to the Mental Health Crisis
  • Anthony Isacco, PhD
  • The Well-Formed Conscience of a Health Care Professional
  • Speakers TBA
  •  
  • Gender Dysphoria: Science, Ideology, and Ethics
  • Paul Hruz, MD, PhD
  •  
  • Approaching Gender Dysphoria with Compassion and Mercy
  • Paul Hruz, MD, PhD; Gwyneth Anne Spaeder, MD; Sr. Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, LPC
  •  

SCHEDULE

8:30 AM
 Check-In Begins
9:00 AM
 Opening Remarks
9:10 - 10:10 AM
 Navigating Moral Cooperation in Medicine
10:10 - 10:20 AM
 Break
10:20 - 11:20 AM
 Religious Liberty of the Health Care Professional
11:20 - 11:30 AM
 Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 A Catholic Response to the Mental Health Crisis
12:30 -2:05 PM
 Hippocratic Oath Luncheon
1:00 - 2:00 PM
 The Well-Formed Conscience of a Health Care Professional
2:05 - 2:25 PM
 Break
2:25 - 3:25 PM
 Gender Dysphoria: Science, Ideology, and Ethics
3:25 - 3:35 PM
 Break
3:35 - 4:35 PM
 Approaching Gender Dysphoria with Compassion and Mercy
4:35 - 4:45 PM
 Closing Remarks
5:00 - 6:00 PM
 Vigil Mass
6:00 - 6:45 PM
 Wine & Cheese Reception

Speakers

PAUL W. HRUZ, MD, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine

Paul W. Hruz is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Cellular Biology and Physiology at Washington University in St. Louis. Hruz received his Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Marquette University in 1987. As a member of the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, he received his Ph.D. Degree in Biochemistry in 1993 and M.D. Degree in 1994. He completed Residency training in Pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle and a Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship at Washington University. Hruz served at the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Washington University from 2012-2017. He is a member of the University's Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) Multidisciplinary Care Program. Hruz is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology. He has also received certification in Healthcare Ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific reviews and book chapters.

GWYNETH ANNE SPAEDER, MD
Pediatrician

Gwyneth Anne Spaeder, MD, attended the University of Dallas where she graduated with a degree in Political Philosophy. She then attended The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, graduating in 2005. She is a Board-Certified Pediatrician and has practiced in both community ER and private practice settings. She completed a certificate in Health Care Ethics through the National Catholic Bioethics Center in 2015 and has published several articles pertaining to vaccine ethics. She also served as the guest editor for a NCBC Quarterly edition focused on Pediatric-specific issues. She is a recurrent presenter at Theology of the Body workshops for teens and for NFP/Marriage prep within the Diocese of Raleigh. She is a member of the Catholic Medical Association Triangle Guild. She lives in Wake Forest, NC with her husband and three children.

SR. MICHAELA SERPA, FSE, MA, PharmD, BCPS

Sister Michaela Serpa, FSE, MA, PharmD, BCPS is a clinical pharmacist licensed to practice pharmacy in four states, a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist, a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) where she serves on the Ethics in Pharmacy Committee. Sister Michaela received her B.A. Psychology from Carroll College, Helena, MT, an M.A. Theology with emphasis in Bioethics from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT in conjunction with a certificate in bioethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), and her PharmD from Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID. Sister Michaela was a member of the adult ethics committee at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, CT for 12 years.

MOST REV. DAVID J. WALKOWIAK, JCD
Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids

Most Rev. David J. Walkowiak, JCD, is the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cleveland in 1979. He was ordained and installed as Bishop of Grand Rapids on June 18, 2013, following his appointment by Pope Francis. He obtained his bachelors degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio, and his licentiate and doctorate degrees in canon law from The Catholic University of America.

ANTHONY ISACCO, PhD
Professor, Director of Training for PsyD Program, Chatham University

Anthony Isacco, PhD, is a professor of Graduate Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA and Director of Training for the PsyD in Counseling Psychology program. He is a licensed psychologist in PA and authorized to provide telepsychology services in approximately 40 states.  He maintains a small private practice with a niche focus on the psychological assessment of clergy candidates to the Catholic Church.  Dr. Isacco has published widely through his books, popular press articles, and academic journals on the psychological health of seminarians, fatherhood, and the psychology of men and masculinity. He sits on the Advisory Board of Saint Paul Seminary, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Formation Team of Saint Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Pittsburgh Byzantine Eparchy, and Catholic Psychotherapy Association Board of Directors. He is a proud graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville (BA, '02), Boston College (MA, '04), and Loyola University Chicago (PhD, '09).  He is married to Celeste and has four daughters, Sophia, Claire, Gianna, and Monica.

SISTER COLLEEN ANN NAGLE
FSE, LPC

Raised in Wisconsin, Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, LPC, made Final Vows within the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 1981. Sister has a degree in Elementary Education, Viterbo College; she completed a Master's Degree in Counseling and Child Development at Michigan State University in 1985 and a Master's in Moral Theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in 2007. Sister Colleen Ann taught elementary grade school from 1971 to 1981. She directed the Life Process Center preschool 1981 - 1991. She was a clinician and directed the Franciscan Life Process Center 1991 - 2023, when she became its Executive Director.

SPONSORS

Venue

Aquinas College, Albertus Magnus Hall

1607 Fulton Street E
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

For More Information:
the conference coordinator
832.779.1070
[email protected]

CONTACT US

  • PHONE

    832.779.1070

  • PHYSICAL ADDRESS

    1177 W Loop South, Ste. 940
    Houston, TX 77027

  • MAILING ADDRESS

    P.O. Box 5927
    Katy, TX 77491

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