Medical Professionals, Unite in Mission: University of Mary to Host Landmark Saint Gianna Conference
Faith, Ethics and Innovation in Health Care to Take Center Stage December 4–6
BISMARCK, N.D. — The University of Mary invites health care professionals, educators, clergy, sisters, and students to the 4th Annual Saint Gianna Medical Professionals Conference, set for December 4–6, 2025, at Founders Hall in the Lumen Vitae University Center on the University of Mary campus. With nearly 500 anticipated attendees, this flagship event promises to be a gathering point for those committed to integrating faith, ethics, and clinical excellence in a health care landscape often driven by financial pressures.
Under the theme “Mission-Driven Healthcare in a Profit-Driven World,” the conference will explore strategies for balancing integrity, compassionate care, and economic realities. Attendees will hear from nationally recognized speakers, engage in breakout sessions on cutting-edge topics, and participate in special events designed to both inspire and equip.
Inspiring Voices, Deep Insight
Keynote speakers represent some of the nation’s foremost voices in medical ethics, faith, and clinical leadership. Dr. Ashley K. Fernandes of The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital will present “Finding Moral Meaning in the Business of Healthcare,” drawing on his work educating pediatricians in bioethics and medical professionalism. Sister Mary Diana Dreger, OP, MD, with her experience serving underserved immigrant populations, will speak on “Healthcare for the Poor: Upholding Human Dignity.”
Dr. Dominique J. Monlezun, a physician, data scientist, and AI ethicist, will tackle “Responsible AI and the Common Good,” bridging rapidly evolving technology and Catholic moral vision. Genetic ethics will come alive through Caroline Aragon, MS, CGC, a faith-rooted genetic counselor, and holistic resilience in health care will be addressed by Dr. James Link and Dr. Louise Murphy, experts in psychology, spirituality, and clinical care.
Beyond the keynote stage, a rich palette of breakout sessions will address faith-based approaches to self-care, genetic engineering, AI in medicine, and moral leadership. Optional events include a Thursday afternoon Bioethics Debate followed by the University of Mary Late Show featuring Fernandes, while Friday and Saturday evenings will offer the Christmas at Mary Concert—inviting attendees and the public to reflect, pray, and celebrate.
Transformative Learning & Professional Growth
This conference aims to do more than inform—it is designed for transformation. Participants will wrestle with how to advocate for just structures in health care, integrate moral convictions into technology like genomics and AI, and adopt practices of self-care to guard against burnout. By immersing in this integration of faith and faculty, professionals can leave renewed, better equipped to serve with competence, courage, and compassion.
Professional development opportunities are robust as this conference is recognized and approved by a variety of healthcare boards for continuing education.
Dr. Mary Dockter, dean of the Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences, said the conference continues to grow because it meets the deepest professional and personal needs of today’s health care leaders.
“Each year, the Saint Gianna Medical Professionals Conference draws participants from across the country who are looking for something more than technical training—they’re seeking purpose, renewal, and community,” Dockter said. “Our speakers this year are truly outstanding, and the continuing education opportunities make it a rich experience for every discipline. Whether you’re a student, clinician, or educator, you’ll leave encouraged, better equipped, and more grounded in the values that make health care a true vocation.”
Anchored in Mission, Named for a Saint
Hosted by the Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences, the conference reflects the school’s mission to cultivate clinicians who embody competence, virtue, and service. Named for St. Gianna Beretta Molla—a physician, wife, and mother who sacrificed her life for her unborn child—the school seeks to form servant-leaders in health care who defend human dignity at every stage of life.
From undergraduate programs in nursing, exercise science, and radiologic technology to graduate programs in bioethics, occupational and physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and more, the Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences is nationally recognized for integrating academic rigor with spiritual and moral formation. The University of Mary’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program—recently ranked No. 1 in the nation—is part of a group of nationally recognized health care programs distinguished for their quality and exceptional student outcomes. Graduates enter the workforce as compassionate clinicians who view medicine not merely as a career, but as a vocation of service.
Register Today — Seats Are Limited
With its unique blend of theological depth, clinical insight, and moral clarity, the Saint Gianna Medical Professionals Conference stands out as one of the nation’s premier health care events of 2025.
With a registration deadline of Friday, Nov. 21, full details and continuing education credit information are available online at www.umary.edu/SaintGiannaConference.
Join us December 4–6 in Bismarck for a conference that calls health care professionals to see their work as more than treatment—it’s a mission to serve, heal, and uphold the dignity of every human life.