ABSTRACT:
This panel explores how spirituality and meaning-making can shape leadership, policy development, and practice within public health systems. Speakers will examine how personal and communal sources of purpose influence ethical decision-making, resilience, and trust across diverse communities, and how these factors can be intentionally integrated into leadership competencies, program design, and accountability structures. Through case studies, the session will highlight diverse perspectives from public health leaders, faith-based partners, and community advocates. The session will identify practical frameworks for incorporating spirituality as a determinant of health that is evidence-based, pluralistic, and people-centered. Speakers will identify actionable strategies to cultivate purpose-driven leadership, design more person- and community-centered policies, and align organizational cultures with values that advance health equity, social cohesion, and well-being for all communities. This session is proposed as an organized panel discussion. Invited speakers are in the process of being identified and are pending final confirmation for inclusion in this session proposal.