December 2025

FEATURE 

Pictured (from left to right): Bradley Voytek, Desiree Shapiro, Cinnamon Bloss, Gentry Patrick, and Melissa Karnaze. Photo credit: Kyle Dykes/UC San Diego Health Sciences

This month, the Center for Empathy and Technology hosted a multi-speaker forum titled Conversational AI & Mental Health: Opportunities and Challenges. This event gathered an incredible mix of researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and innovators to share their perspectives on how AI can support (not replace) human connection in health care. The day's conversations were honest, nuanced, and full of possibility. Attendees asked bold questions and helped shape a shared vision for responsible, compassionate AI.

Key themes of the convening included, but were not limited to:
• Responsible deployment of AI
• Mental health equity
• Safety mechanisms for large-language models (LLMs)
• Collaborations across sectors, like technology and policy
• Elevating youth voices in conversations related to AI guardrails

We are especially thankful to the esteemed speakers and planning group members who shared their expertise on this important topic: Desiree Shapiro, Betsy Stade, Desmond Ong, Brian Elliott, William Mobley, Melissa Karnaze, Laura Adams, Ellie Pavlick, Zach Boyd, Bradley Voytek, Cinnamon Bloss, Gentry Patrick, and the youth panelists. 

Photo credit: Kyle Dykes/UC San Diego Health Sciences

Did you attend Conversational AI & Mental Health: Opportunities and Challenges? Share a key takeaway from the convening on social media! Stay tuned for future AI-related engagements from the Center for Empathy and Technology in 2026.

EDUCATION

Join us for an engaging session with our partner, Compassion Institute, to learn about the science and practice of compassion. Experts will guide participants in experiential learning to practice cultivating compassion for self and others. This webinar is designed for clinicians, health educators, and other professionals seeking to infuse compassion into their daily routine.

COMMUNICATION

How can you show you care even when you deeply disagree? What would have to be true for you to genuinely consider another perspective? Join ICF-certified coach Kelsey Brennan in this workshop as we reflect on patterns of listening, explore ways to thoughtfully prepare for conflict-heavy conversations, and apply a mindset that balances acceptance with advocacy.

RESEARCH

If you are interested in helping define the future of empathy and compassion, we invite you to join our Empathy & Compassion Neuroscience Interest Group – a collaborative space for research scientists, clinicians, and allied professionals to connect, share knowledge, and learn about emerging opportunities. This group will get first-access to future events and collaborative research efforts at the intersection of neuroscience, empathy, and compassion.

NEWS

Photo credit: Nikki Ashtiani

The Sanford Institute is proud to celebrate a successful inaugural year of the Wellness Leader Academy. The Academy empowers health care leaders to advance wellness through innovative, immersive programs that build community and confidence. 

This year, a cohort of 17 GME leaders completed Leading the Way to Wellness, and we launched Well Aware with 10 well-being leaders – marking an important milestone in advancing leadership for well-being across UC San Diego.

Leading the Way to Wellness cultivates physician leaders with the skills to drive systems-level change, foster professional fulfillment, and embed well-being into organizational culture. Well Aware equips physicians with practical tools to recognize, respond to, and support colleagues experiencing distress, strengthening a culture of compassion, connection, and mental health support. 

Recruitment is currently underway for the Spring 2026 cohort of Leading the Way to Wellness. Join us in this exciting initiative as we continue to transform the health care environment and cultivate compassionate, resilient leaders. To learn more, contact Wellness Leader Academy Director, Dr. Ami Doshi at adoshi@rchsd.org.

NEWS

— Center for Empathy and Compassion Training in Medical Education seed grant awardee Dr. Anaheed Shirazi and mentor Dr. Lisa Eyler were recently published for their preliminary study of acceptability, feasibility and effects of a mindful self-compassion intervention on emotional intelligence and well-being among psychiatry residents. Read the publication.

—  Join a brand-new lineup of free interactive online sessions this Spring 2026! Hosted by the Center for Compassionate Communication, this skills-building program is designed to help clinicians and health leaders drive compassionate change in the clinic, lab, classroom, and beyond. Save your free spot!

—  The Center for Compassionate Communication is recruiting Fellows for the UC San Diego Health: Sanford Compassionate Communication Academy Fellowship. Limited spots available for Spring 2026 cohort – submit your application today.