Plenary Speakers for 2026 National Symposium
Plenary speakers are an essential part of our National Symposium, bringing dynamic global perspectives that spark innovation and fuel collaboration. Their insights ignite powerful discussions, pushing boundaries and inspiring groundbreaking solutions for a better future.
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Our Symposium’s Plenary Speakers
Cara L. Wallace, PhD, LMSW,
APHSW-C
Presenting: June 5, 2026
Title: Personal Narratives in the Development of the Palliative Care Professional
Dr. Cara Wallace is Votsmier Endowed Chair and Professor in the School of Nursing at Saint Louis University, with a secondary appointment in Social Work. A former hospice and hospital social worker, her research focuses on barriers, access, and quality of end-of-life care. Dr. Wallace has been published/featured in USA Today, Health Affairs Forefront, Geri-Pal, St. Louis Public Radio, and The Excerpt. A NIH-funded researcher, she has nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications and is a co-editor of the 2024 OUP textbook, Intentionally Interprofessional Palliative Care. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Co-Director of the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work’s Pre-Dissertation Fellowship Program, and a 2020 Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholar. She is also the 2020 recipient of the Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network’s Award for Excellence in Psychosocial Research.
#WhereLearningMeetsCompassion #SHIPCSymposium2026
