Healthcare, alumni, education, philanthropy, policy, parents, students, and community.
Venue
Event venue details provided upon RSVP confirmation.
Purpose
Convert thought leadership into stronger pathways, partnerships, and student opportunity.
2026 Symposium Theme
Educating the Future of Health: Building Bold Pathways from Campus to Career
Agenda at a Glance
A full day of ideas, leadership, and connection—from
breakfast and thought-provoking conversations to a
special documentary screening and panel discussion.
Morning Program
Symposium Program
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Guest Arrival, Registration & Breakfast
Registration, breakfast, and networking
as guests arrive for the day's program.
Opening Program & John Bradley STEM Award
Welcome remarks and recognition of exceptional
leadership that expands opportunity in STEMM.
Keynote Address
A featured address examining the future of the
health workforce and the bold pathways needed
to prepare the next generation.
CPASS Presentation & Break
A brief look at CPASS Foundation's scholars,
programs, mission, and impact.
Leadership Panel & Audience Q&A
Distinguished leaders explore higher education,
workforce development, access, and the future
of health.
Lunch & Networking
Connect with fellow attendees, speakers,
partners, and community leaders over lunch.
Afternoon Program
Special Joint Program
1:00 PM – 3:25 PM
National Medical Fellowships
NMF 80th Anniversary Joint Program
A special afternoon program presented in
celebration of National Medical Fellowships'
80th Anniversary.
Listen to Me Documentary Screening
A special screening of the health documentary
Listen to Me.
Screening Panel & Conversation
A moderated post-screening discussion exploring
the documentary's themes, experiences, and
implications for health and community.
Closing Reflections & Recognition
Recognition of symposium sponsors, partners,
and dignitaries, followed by reflections on
the significance of the day's convening.
Networking & Departure
Continue the conversation and connect with
fellow attendees before departure.
Program schedule is subject to refinement.
2026 Keynote Speaker & Panelists
Keynote Speaker & Panelist
Paulette R. Dillard, Ph.D. President, Shaw University
Dr. Dillard will serve as the keynote speaker and a featured panelist for the 2026 CPASS Annual STEMM Pathways to Health Equity Symposium. An accomplished scientist, educator, and higher education leader, Dr. Dillard brings a distinguished career spanning academic leadership, clinical diagnostic medicine, research, and institutional transformation. A three-time graduate of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, she is a nationally recognized advocate for the transformative power of education and the critical role colleges and universities play in expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. Her experience advancing student success, institutional innovation, and pathways for underserved populations will bring an important perspective to this year’s theme.
Leadership Panelists
Zaldwaynaka (“Z”) Scott, J.D. President, Chicago State University
A transformative higher education leader, attorney, and nationally recognized advocate for equity and opportunity, President Scott has guided Chicago State University through a period of strategic growth, institutional renewal, and expanded research and educational access. Under her leadership, CSU has strengthened its role as an engine of economic mobility and a regional public university committed to student success and community impact. Drawing on her extensive experience across higher education, law, government, and public service, President Scott will bring a compelling perspective to the exploration of the symposium theme, particularly the role colleges and universities play in preparing students for meaningful careers and expanding pathways to opportunity.
Juan Salgado Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago
A nationally recognized education and community leader, Chancellor Salgado has devoted his career to expanding educational and economic opportunities for residents of underserved communities. As Chancellor, he leads Chicago’s community college system, serving more than 70,000 students across seven colleges and advancing pathways that connect education with careers, economic mobility, and opportunity. A community college graduate himself and a 2015 MacArthur Fellow, Chancellor Salgado brings a powerful perspective on the role of accessible higher education in preparing students for the workforce. His experience will contribute directly to the symposium’s theme, and the discussion of how educational institutions can strengthen pathways from classroom learning to meaningful careers in health and other high-demand fields.
Leadership Panel Moderator
William A. McDade, M.D., Ph.D. Board Member, CPASS Foundation
Dr. McDade is a nationally respected physician, academic leader, and advocate for excellence and equity in medical education. His distinguished career has spanned anesthesiology, academic medicine, physician workforce development, accreditation, and national health leadership, with a sustained focus on strengthening pathways into medicine and advancing opportunity across the health professions. In recognition of his decades of leadership and service to medicine and the Chicago health community, he was selected to receive the Institute of Medicine of Chicago’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. A longtime champion of developing the next generation of health professionals, Dr. McDade also serves as Treasurer of the CPASS Foundation Board of Directors. A hallmark of the symposium, Dr. McDade has served as panel moderator for three consecutive years bringing his depth of experience and thoughtful leadership to conversations with distinguished leaders across health, higher education, and the STEMM professions. For the 2026 Symposium, he will once again guide the leadership panel as it explores how institutions can build bold, sustainable pathways from campus to careers in health and STEMM.
Award Recognition
Honoring Leadership That Opens Doors.
Established in honor of John Bradley, M.Ed., one of the founders of the Chicago Area Health and Medical Careers™ Program, the award recognizes exceptional leaders whose work expands opportunity for promising students historically underrepresented in STEMM.
The 2026 Symposium joins National Medical Fellowships
in celebrating its 80th anniversary with a special
screening of Listen to Me, followed by a
moderated conversation.
Documentary Screening + Conversation
Listen to Me
Join CPASS Foundation and National Medical
Fellowships for a special afternoon screening
and conversation as part of the 2026 Annual
S.T.E.M.M. Pathways to Health Equity Symposium.
The road to motherhood takes three Black women
on a journey from heartbreak to resistance,
healing, and joy.
80
Celebrating 80 Years of
National Medical Fellowships
Sponsorship & Partnership
Partner with CPASS to Advance the Future of Healthcare.
Sponsorship support helps CPASS convene leaders, elevate student and alumni voices, and sustain high-quality pathway programming that prepares historically underrepresented students for futures in medicine, science, technology, and public health.
This event is sponsored in part by The Chicago Community Trust.
Join CPASS in Building Stronger STEMM Pathways.
Request an invitation, explore sponsorship, or connect with CPASS to learn how your institution can support the next generation of healthcare and STEMM leaders.
