• 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:
    • "Attending this conference as a student has helped me feel affirmed in my calling as a future healthcare professional. I had the opportunity to be immersed and hear solutions to real world healthcare problems that I have been struggling with throughout my schooling. Also, I loved being able to relate to and meet other doctors who work in a secular world while striving to live out their Catholic faith!"

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, February 28, as well as additional access to the recordings (from noon CT on Sunday, March 1, to 11:59 pm CT on Wednesday, March 4).
 
  • 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, February 13. All refund requests made on or after February 14 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

  • Hippocratic Medicine and the Future of Health Care
  • Kristin M. Collier, MD, FACP
  •  
  • Benefits and Ethical Challenges of AI in Health Care
  • Presenter TBA
  •  
  • Genetic Screening, Genetic Engineering, and Human Dignity
  • Caroline Aragón, MS, CGC
  •  
  • Technology and the Mental Health Crisis in Adolescents 
  • Johann M. D’Souza, PhD
  •  
  • The Primacy of Virtue and Navigating Moral Cooperation in Medicine
  • Jozef Zalot, PhD
  •  
  • Infertility and the Fleeting Allure of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
  • Jamie Hernandez MD, FACOG, CFCMC
  •  

SCHEDULE

8:00 AM
 Check-in Begins
8:45 AM
  • Mass
9:45 AM
 Opening Remarks
9:55 - 10:55 AM
  • Hippocratic Medicine and the Future of Health Care
 
10:55 AM
 Break
11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
  • Benefits and Ethical Challenges of AI in Health Care
 
12:05 - 1:40 PM
 Hippocratic Oath Luncheon
12:35 - 1:35 PM
  • Genetic Screening, Genetic Engineering, and Human Dignity
 
1:40 PM
 Break
2:00 - 3:00 PM
  • Technology and the Mental Health Crisis in Adolescents 
 
3:00 PM
 Break
3:10 - 4:10 PM
  • The Primacy of Virtue and Navigating Moral Cooperation in Medicine
 
4:10 PM
 Break
4:20 - 5:20 PM
  • Infertility and the Fleeting Allure of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
 
5:30 - 6:15 PM
 Wine & Cheese Reception

Speakers

ROLAND MILLARE, STD
Vice President of Curriculum and Director of Clergy Initiatives, St. John Paul II Foundation

Dr. Roland Millare, a native Houstonian, serves as the Vice President of Curriculum and the Director of Clergy Initiatives for the St. John Paul II Foundation (Houston, TX). Dr. Millare served as a member of the Theology Department at St. John XXIII College Preparatory (Katy, TX) for over 15 years. He received a BA in Theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. He has a MA in Theological Studies (with a concentration in Moral Theology) from the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College (Alexandria, VA) and a Licentiate (STL) and Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) in Dogmatic Theology (with a specialization in Sacramental Theology) from the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein, IL). Dr. Millare also serves as an adjunct professor of theology for permanent deacon candidates, seminarians, undergraduate and graduate students at the University of St. Thomas, St. Mary’s Seminary, the Diocese of Fort Worth and the University of Dallas. He has published various theological articles for Logos, Antiphon, New Blackfriars, Nova et Vetera, and the Heythrop Journal. He has published the book, A Living Sacrifice: Liturgy and Eschatology in Joseph Ratzinger (Emmaus Academic, 2022). Dr. Millare has also contributed an article to a forthcoming lexicon on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger (Ignatius Press). Dr. Millare is a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, Academy of Catholic Theology, and the Society for Catholic Liturgy. Dr. Millare enjoys the gift of life and love with his beautiful wife Veronica and their three children.

KRISTIN M. COLLIER, MD, FACP
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Director of the University of Michigan Medical School Program on Health, Spirituality, and Religion

Kristin Collier, MD, FACP is an associate professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Michigan where she serves as the director of the University of Michigan Medical School Program on Health, Spirituality, and Religion. She received her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed her internship, residency, and chief residency at The University of Michigan Hospitals. Her academic interests are in the overlap of spirituality, religion and medicine and her peer reviewed work has been published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the British Medical Journal, the Annals of Internal Medicine, The Journal of General Internal Medicine, and the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has had writings published in Notre Dame’s Church Life Journal, Theopolis, America Magazine, Public Discourse and the New York Times. She is also a wife and a proud mother of four boys. She can be found at Twitter (X) at @HSRDirector.

JAMIE HERNANDEZ, MD, FACOG, CFCMC

Dr. Jamie Hernandez, a Louisiana native, is an OBGYN in Sugar Land, Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, medical degree from The University of Texas at Houston, and completed her residency at the University of Illinois/OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. At Pope Paul VI Institute and Creighton University, Dr. Hernandez completed a medical and surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY fellowship. Dr. Hernandez is a member of the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Academy of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Catholic Medical Association, and a Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG). Dedicated to providing holistic, comprehensive, and restorative services for women from adolescence through menopause, Dr. Hernandez is a member of Baylor St. Luke's Medical Group Caritas Women's Care in Sugar Land. As one of only a handful of fellowship-trained NaProTECHNOLOGY surgeons in the United States, Dr. Hernandez uses this technology to address and treat a full range of gynecologic health concerns.

JOHANN M. D’SOUZA PHD
Founder & Clinical Psychologist, Values First Therapy, PLLC

Dr. Johann D’Souza is a clinical psychologist specializing in the science of anxiety and peak performance. His academic background, including a PhD and MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston (earned on a Presidential Fellowship), an MA from Boston University in Psychology, and a BA from the University of Dallas in Theology, combines scientific rigor and classical learning. With over 20 peer-reviewed articles, Dr. D’Souza’s research elucidates the profound psychological benefits of hope and optimism. He is a research affiliate at Harvard's Human Flourishing Program and the former head of coaching for OptimalWork. In addition, he hosts the Virtuous Leaders show, to highlight inspiring examples of moral and professional excellence. As the founder of Values First Therapy, Dr. D'Souza unites modern psychology and traditional family values. He specializes in helping individuals overcome anxiety, OCD, and distraction, drawing on the best of cognitive-behavior therapy. As a community volunteer, he has mentored adolescents in the area of technology and character development for 15 years.

CAROLINE ARAGÓN MS, CGC
Certified & Licensed Genetic Counselor

Caroline Aragón, MS, CGC is a board certified and licensed genetic counselor who is dedicated to personalized, faithful, family focused genetics care. She currently provides telehealth genetic counseling care for a diverse range of genetic indications at MyCatholicDoctor. Caroline completed her undergraduate degree in biology from Hillsdale College. She went on to obtain her Masters in Genetic Counseling from the University of Minnesota and certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counseling and a member of the medical advisory board at Be Not Afraid, a non-profit organization that supports families following a prenatal diagnosis. Through genetic counseling and testing, Caroline provides integrative care that prioritizes informed decision making. Her goal is to help each patient understand their genes and how their genetic makeup can impact aspects of fertility, pregnancy, lifestyle health, and more. Her primary focus is helping patients and families understand and adapt to information about genetic risk or genetic diagnosis. Caroline also has experience in genetics model organism research at the basic science level, clinical study management, and patient advocacy. She uses this diverse expertise to help patients understand research findings, utilize appropriate clinical studies, and connect with support resources for themselves and their family.

JOZEF ZALOT, PHD
Director of Education & Ethicist, The National Catholic Bioethics Center

Dr. Joe Zalot is the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC). In addition to overseeing the NCBC Certification Program, Chaplaincy Program, and dual college/high school “Introduction to Catholic Health Care Ethics” course, he produces and hosts the Center’s Bioethics on Air podcast and has authored multiple statements, guides, and book chapters for NCBC publications. He also lectures for the NCBC, is interviewed by local and national media on health care ethics topics, and has responded to 2300 ethics consultations. Joe earned his PhD from Marquette University in 2002, an MEd from Boston College in 1997, an MEd from Springfield College in 1991, and a BA from St. Anselm College in 1989. He has authored two books along with numerous articles and book chapters, and has presented at academic conferences both domestically and internationally. Prior to coming to the NCBC, he served from 2015 to 2017 as the Regional Director of Ethics and Spiritual Care for Mercy Health–Cincinnati. In this role he chaired the regional ethics committee, reviewed and drafted ethics and spiritual care policies, and started a nurse ethics education program. During this time, he also served as a lecturer at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and the Athenaeum of Ohio where he taught the courses “Medical Ethics” and “Morality and Justice in Catholic Life.” From 2004 to 2009, he was an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, and from 2009 to 2015 he was an Associate Professor with tenure. At Mount St. Joseph, he taught courses in Health Care Ethics, Business Ethics, Sexual and Reproductive Ethics, and Christian Marriage. He also taught student travel courses to Rome that integrated the Catholic faith with history and art. He is married to his wife Sue (1994) and they have a daughter, Maria.

SPONSORS

Venue

St. John Neumann Catholic Church

5455 Bee Caves Rd
West Lake Hills, TX 78746

For More Information:
Bella Oprandi, 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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