The Aga Khan Health Boards of the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom are delighted to announce the 2026 Global Ismaili Health Professionals Conference (GIHPC). This landmark event will be held from April 17-19, 2026, at the Ismaili Center in Houston, Texas, USA.
Exploring the theme of “Healthcare Innovation Through Partnerships: Bridging Global Health Challenges,ˮ the conference will bring together health professionals from across the globe to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the future of healthcare within the global Ismaili community. The conference will highlight cutting-edge innovations, address pressing healthcare challenges, and showcase the transformative impact of collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
The Ismailis, a Shia Muslim community, are spread across over 35 countries and led by a hereditary Imam, tracing their lineage from Ali, cousin of Prophet Muhammad, to the current 50th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. As Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), His Highness leads efforts to improve the quality of life mainly in Asia and Africa, focusing on self-reliance through multifaceted development.
The Ismaili community has been in the United States since the 1960s, initially arriving as students. Today, they are active across various professions, emphasizing service and civic engagement as core faith values. The Ismaili Imamat has Agreements of Cooperation with Texas, California, and Illinois to advance initiatives in health, education, and economic development.
There is an urgent need to help healthcare professionals deliver consistent, patient-centered care in today’s increasingly complex clinical settings. Many participants are not fully familiar with recent developments in patient-centered care or new technologies in healthcare, which can make it harder to adopt innovative approaches that improve patient engagement and outcomes. While updated clinical guidelines exist, professionals often lack the practical strategies and confidence to apply them effectively. Differences in clinical outcomes across institutions also show that evidence-based practices are not being used consistently. This educational activity will support professional growth through a dynamic learning experience that includes lectures, hands-on workshops, and collaborative sessions. Participants will explore evidence-based practices and global strategies tailored to their local needs. The goal is to encourage the use of new approaches and drive improvements in care quality and consistency.
This activity is for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
At the conclusion of this activity, the participants should be able to:
Lecture, Panel Discussion, Case Study, and Small Group Breakout Sessions
Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.
Physician
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Baylor College of Medicine and His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the United States of America. Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Baylor College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Ethics
The presentation, Ethical Reasoning in Healthcare: Principles, Context, and Clinical Application, has been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 1.00 credit of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
Texas Children’s Hospital is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This nursing continuing professional development activity will award up to 17.0 contact hours.
At the conclusion of the conference, 80% of participants will be able to list one new concept learned during the session(s).