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March/April 2026

This week, the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion hosted its inaugural community panel "Art and Empathy in Times of Conflict." The sold-out event brought together a full room to reflect on something our community is feeling right now: a profound desire for conversations rooted in empathy, compassion, and shared understanding. 

Throughout the evening, attendees heard from three remarkable speakers:
• Darren Kew, PhD — Dean, University of San Diego Kroc School of Peace Studies
• Megan Lorraine Debin, PhD — Art Historian and Professor, Fullerton College; Founder of Art Trippin'
• James P. Rudolph — Attorney, International Law and Human Rights

From the role of preserving memory and meaning to the legal and ethical dimensions of conflict to the work of fostering dialogue and connection across difference, each of their perspectives offered something distinct and, together, something deeply resonant. Their collective work underscored how empathy and compassion can shape our understanding of the past, move us through conflict, and, perhaps most importantly, build more humane futures. 

Additionally, the event featured a live activation by portrait artist Emily Henderson, who captured the evening’s moments and conversation through expressive single-line drawings. 

We are deeply grateful to our event partner, Timken Museum of Art, for hosting and helping bring this event to life, and to our esteemed guests (you!), whose presence and engagement made this event what it was. 

If you attended Art & Empathy in Times of Conflict, we'd love your feedback on your experience. Please share what resonated from this event and tell us which conversations and/or speakers you'd like us to explore next.

Explore how to measure empathy and compassion in healthcare. This free virtual seminar, taking place on Wednesday, May 6, at 9 a.m. (PST),  will review current methods, identify gaps, and share new approaches to improve outcomes, education, and system-level change.

In today’s shifting socio-political climate, this free webinar on Thursday, May 7, at 12 p.m. (PST) aims to help you navigate misinformation, manage emotional strain, and build resilience — transforming overwhelm into clarity, strength, and purpose through compassionate communication.

Join researcher Olivia Jurkiewicz, MA, on Thursday, May 14, at 12 p.m. (PST), to explore how emotion suppression affects attention and compassion during challenging conversations. This Zoom presentation is part of the Empathy and Compassion Research Series.

Experience three inspiring days in La Jolla, CA, with national leaders advancing empathy and compassion — exploring research, reimagining medical education, and building sustainable environments that support healthcare workforce well-being. RSVP early, this event is expected to sell out!

How can you show you care even when you deeply disagree? What if conflict wasn't something to avoid, but rather an opportunity to connect more deeply to get closer to the truth? Hosted by the Center for Compassionate Communication, watch "Can Conflict be Compassionate?" — a webinar that explores ways to thoughtfully prepare for conflict-heavy conversations and apply a coaching mindset to balance acceptance with advocacy.

“Patients remember how you made them feel, not just what you prescribed.”