Schedule - The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education

The following schedule is a preliminary glance at the content and cadence of the weekend.
All events are subject to change.

Event Schedule – October 9-11, 2026

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Arrival
Arrival & Registration
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Opening
Welcome to The CCARE Immersion

Opening remarks from Dr. Al’ai Alvarez & CCARE Program Directors
2:30 – 4:00 PM
Practices & Exercises
Compassion Connection

CCARE Team & Immersion Participants
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Break
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Featured CCARE Speaker
Staying Anchored with Compassion in Today’s Turbulent World
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Tribute
Honoring James Doty, MD & Sharing the Vision of CCARE
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Community Connection

Refreshments and generous selection of hors d’oeuvres provided
7:00 PM
Evenings are yours to explore all the wonderful restaurants Palo Alto has to offer.

9:00 – 9:30 AM
Opening
Opening & Compassion Practice

CCARE Team
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Featured CCARE Speaker
The Facets of Compassion
10:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Practices & Exercises
Compassion Connection

CCARE Team & Immersion Participants
11:30 – 1:00 PM
Lunch Together at Stanford
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Research
Compassion Research Discovery Panel

Al’ai Alvarez, MD | Interim Director of CCARE

Stephanie Balters, PhD | CCARE Director of Research
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Choose Your Own Adventure

Participants can choose their own adventure through different Compassion Experiences across a range of topics and activities.
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Break
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Integration Session
Community Reflection & Closing Practice

CCARE Team
5:00 PM
Evenings are yours to explore all the wonderful restaurants Palo Alto has to offer.

9:00 – 10:00 AM
Opening
Opening & Compassion Practice

CCARE Team
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Showcase
Compassion Showcase

CCARE Team & Immersion Participants. Click here to find out more about the Showcase.
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Showcase & Lunch
Compassion Showcase Continues

Buffet lunch
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Choose Your Own Adventure

Participants can choose their own adventure through different Compassion Experiences across a range of topics and activities.
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Practices & Exercises
Compassion Practices

CCARE Team
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Closing
Closing Ritual

CCARE Team