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

2:00 – 3:00 PM
Arrival
Arrival & Registration
3:00 – 3:30 PM
Opening
Welcome to The CCARE Immersion

Opening remarks from Dr. Al’ai Alvarez & CCARE Program Directors
3:30 – 5:00 PM
Practices & Exercises
Compassion Connection

Robert Cusick, Neelama Eyres, & Immersion Participants
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Featured CCARE Speaker
Staying Connected and Anchored with Compassion in Today’s Turbulent World

Dr. Maryam Makowski
5:30 – 6:00 PM
Tribute
Honoring James Doty, MD & Sharing the Vision of CCARE
6:00 – 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

Robert Cusick & Neelama Eyres
9:30 – 11:30 AM
An Interactive Exploration
The Facets of Compassion

Robert Cusick & Neelama Eyres with Graphic Recording by Heather Willems of TwoLine Studios
11:30 – 1:00 PM
Lunch Together at Stanford
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Research
Compassion Research Discovery Panel

Al’ai Alvarez, MD | Director of CCARE

Stephanie Balters, PhD | CCARE Director of Research

Maryam Makowski, PhD | Director of Applied Compassion

Erika Rosenberg, PhD | CCARE Director of Community and Belonging
2:30 – 4:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
Choose Your Own Adventure

Participants can choose their own adventure through different Compassion Experiences across a range of topics and activities. Click here to find out more about the adventures.
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Break
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Integration Session
Community Reflection & Closing Practice

Robert Cusick & Neelama Eyres
5:30 PM
Evenings are yours to explore all the wonderful restaurants Palo Alto has to offer.

9:00 – 9:30 AM
Opening
CCARE Education: History, Now, and the Future

Dr. Erika Rosenberg
9:30 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
1:30 – 3:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
Choose Your Own Adventure

Participants can choose their own adventure through different Compassion Experiences across a range of topics and activities. Click here to find out more about the adventures.
3:30 – 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 – 4:30 PM
Practices & Exercises
Integration Session & Completion Ritual

Robert Cusick, Neelama Eyres, & Immersion Participants
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Closing
Closing Remarks

Dr. Al’ai Alvarez