A flagship CPASS convening advancing the future of healthcare through equity, talent, leadership, and sustained investment in STEMM pathways.
2026 Theme
Educating the Future of Health: Building Bold Pathways from Campus to Career
Higher education, health equity, and the power of pathway programs.
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Audience: Leaders across healthcare, education, policy, philanthropy and pathway programs, Community Champions, Students, Health Professional Students, Alumni, and Parents
Saturday, October 3, 2026, with invitation and registration details to follow.
Location
Chicago, Illinois. Final venue information will be shared with confirmed guests.
Audience
Healthcare, higher education, policy, philanthropy, students, and community.
Purpose
Convert thought leadership into stronger pathways, partnerships, and student opportunity.
Why This Symposium Matters
From Student Promise to Systems-Level Change.
CPASS exists to create pathways and access for student success. The Symposium extends that mission by bringing decision-makers and changemakers into direct conversation about what it takes to move from aspiration to infrastructure.
This is more than an annual event. It is a platform for leadership, institutional partnership, workforce development, and action toward a more inclusive healthcare and STEMM ecosystem.
2026 Symposium Theme
Educating the Future of Health: Building Bold Pathways from Campus to Career
The 2026 Symposium will examine how colleges, universities, healthcare institutions, philanthropy, and community-based organizations can work together to create stronger, more coordinated pathways into medicine, science, public health, technology, and related STEMM fields.
Program Experience
Designed for Dialogue, Leadership, and Action.
Visionary Keynote Address
A featured thought leader frames the urgent workforce and equity challenges facing healthcare and STEMM fields.
John Bradley STEM Award
Recognition of exceptional leadership in attracting, encouraging, educating, guiding, and increasing underrepresented students in STEMM.
Dynamic Leadership Panel
A moderated conversation with distinguished leaders from higher education, healthcare, public policy, and community institutions.
Cross-Sector Networking
Opportunities to connect with executives, educators, funders, alumni, families, community partners, and STEMM advocates.
Featured Voices
2026 Speakers and Panelists
The 2026 Symposium will feature distinguished leaders from higher education, healthcare, and public service. Speaker announcements will be shared as confirmations are finalized.
Keynote Speaker
Announcement coming soon.
Leadership Panelist
Announcement coming soon.
William A. McDade, M.D., Ph.D.
Leadership Panel Moderator
Leadership Panelist
Announcement coming soon.
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.
A Convening for Leaders Committed to STEMM Access and Health Equity.
Healthcare executivesUniversity presidents and deansPublic health leadersPhilanthropic partners Corporate sponsorsPolicy leadersCommunity organizations StudentsCPASS alumni and families
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.
Request an invitation, explore sponsorship, or connect with CPASS to learn how your institution can support the next generation of healthcare and STEMM leaders.
