2026 Hero’s Journey Symposium
We are honored to host our 9th annual Hero’s Journey Symposium at the American Psychiatric Association Foundation Conference Center on September 15, 2026.
2026 theme: Understanding of the Impacts of Trauma and Building the “Right Pathway” from Wounds to Wellness.
The event will be streamed on this site and our YouTube channel. Previous years’ symposiums are available online. Registration is free.
Agenda At-A-Glance | Expected Start Times
American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) Conference Center, 800 Maine Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
Bridging the Gap: From Trauma to Transformation: The 2026 Symposium will focus on improving our understanding of the impacts of trauma and building the “right pathway from wounds to wellness” for all, with emphasis on early interventions, meeting people where they are, and leveraging innovative approaches and technology to support patient centered care. The Symposium comprises facilitated panel discussions which bring together a wide array of stakeholders, providing a collective sharing of best practices, identifying policy and research gaps, and summarizing the current state of affairs.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Doors Open and Networking | 8 am |
|
Opening Remarks, Award Presentation Colonel (Ret.) Mary Lowe Mayhugh and Susan I. Wranik, Mistress of Ceremonies |
9:30 am |
|
Morning Keynote, 2026 Hero’s Journey Advocacy Leader Award Olivia Nunn, Lt. Colonel, United States Army (Ret.) |
9:40 am |
|
Panel 1: Improving Mental Well-Being for our Children and Families Facilitator: Debbie Bradbard Panel: Whitney Raglin Bignall, Grace Caulfield, Hope Seib McMaster, Adrienne Schaffer |
10:15 am |
| Break | 11:15–11:30 am |
|
Panel 2: Leveraging Science and Technology to Support Patient Centered Care Facilitator: General Gale Pollock Panel: Ryan Luginbuhl, Josh Otero, Cedric Wilson |
11:30 am |
| Lunch Break | 12:30 pm |
| Welcome to the Afternoon Session | 1:30 pm |
|
Afternoon Keynote, Hero’s Journey Lifetime Achievement Award General Eric Shoomaker, MD, PhD, Lieutenant General, United States Army, 42nd Army Surgeon General and Former Commanding General, US Army Medical Command |
1:35 pm |
|
Fireside Chat, Gen. Shoomaker & Steve Ondra Stephen L. Ondra, MD, Vice President, MITRE Center for Transforming Health, Director, Health FFRDC |
1:50 pm |
|
Panel 3: Healing Arts and the Art of Healing Facilitator: Mark Reilly Panel: Barton Buechner, Brian Jenkins, Terry Strauss |
2:15 pm |
| Break | 3:15–3:30 pm |
|
Panel 4: Trauma Informed Care Facilitator: Barton Buechner Panel: Father Gabriel Ghanoum, Joshua Morganstein, Dianne Polk |
3:30–4:30 pm |
| Closing Remarks and Awards Mary Lowe Mayhugh |
4:30 pm |
| Reception | 5–7 pm |
|
Please join us live via Facebook or YouTube via JohnPMayhugh.org Building Better Pathways of Recovery from #Wounds2wellness 9th Annual Hero’s Journey Symposium • Tuesday, September 15, 2026 |
|