One World • One Health • One Future
India — May 12, 2006: The International Internship University (IIU), in collaboration with Global Events Worldwide (GEW.inc), successfully hosted the Global Health & Wellness Virtual Conference 2026 in celebration of International Nurses Day, bringing together distinguished global experts, educators, healthcare leaders, wellness advocates, and social impact voices from across the world for an inspiring evening focused on the future of healthcare, mental wellness, nursing innovation, and holistic wellbeing.
The international virtual conference was warmly welcomed by Maha Shaddeh, IIU Team Member and President of the IIU International Student Association, who opened the event by highlighting the importance of global unity, compassion, and collaborative leadership in advancing healthcare and human wellbeing worldwide.
The event was expertly moderated by Dr. Virginia Rivera, IIU Global Affairs Director, international social entrepreneur, educator, publisher, and global leadership advocate, who guided the evening’s discussions around healthcare transformation, emotional wellbeing, sustainability, and the urgent need for more integrated human-centered systems.
Opening remarks were delivered by Adv. Peeyush Pandit, Founder of International Internship University (IIU), who emphasized the importance of education, innovation, and global collaboration in addressing the growing healthcare challenges facing humanity.
The conference featured an extraordinary international panel of speakers representing multiple countries and disciplines:
• H.E. Prof. Ambassador Chaplain Anita Mckaney, PhD (USA) – Chief Guest Speaker
• Layla Edward (Cyprus) – Breathwork Expert & GRIT Academy
• Hatice Özalp (Cyprus) – Holistic Pharmacist & Menopause Coach
• Dr. Diana Richardson (USA) – Wellness Advocate & The Glowgetter Mentor
• Nilda Thomas (USA) – Life Coach & Social Impact Leader
• HRH Princess Dr. Fotiny Gudela (UK) – Humanitarian & Mental Health Specialist
• Kostas Kapelas (Greece) – International Wellness Contributor
• Layal Gaddhar (Lebanon) – Media & Communication Advocate
• H.E. Amb. Dr. Srividhya Sukumar (India) – Governance Advisor & ESG Advocate
• Amb. Prof. Shainul Bhanji (Tanzania) – Global Educator & Humanitarian Leader
• Prof. Dr. Charles Ebhoria (Nigeria) – IIU Vice Chancellor
• Dr. Shruti Kulkarni (India) – IIU Core Team Member & Global Counsel Co-Founder
• Dr. Ophadile Tshegofatso Gofhamodimo (Botswana) – Mental Health & Youth Empowerment Advocate
• Jeanette Matta (USA) – Founder of Unbreakable Women & Executive Director of Miel y Canela Foundation
The conference explored a wide range of critical topics including:
• Nursing in the AI Era
• Mental Health & Burnout Prevention
• Breathwork & Emotional Regulation
• Menopause & Holistic Wellness
• Preventative Healthcare
• Sustainable Development Goals & Health
• Integrated Wellness Systems
• Human-Centered Healthcare
• Healthcare Leadership & Education Reform
Chief Guest Speaker H.E. Prof. Ambassador Chaplain Anita Mckaney, PhD delivered a powerful keynote focused on the future of nursing and healthcare transformation. Addressing the global healthcare workforce crisis, she stated:
“With a projected shortage of 6 million nurses, we can no longer afford our education to be siloed by borders.”
Dr. Mckaney emphasized the urgent need for Next Generation Nursing Frameworks, global educational collaboration, AI integration, universal care standards, and sustainable systems designed to protect both healthcare professionals and patients while reducing burnout and strengthening compassionate healthcare worldwide.
During the conference, speakers collectively reinforced the importance of holistic and preventative approaches to wellness. Layla Edward spoke about breathwork and emotional resilience, while Hatice Özalp reminded participants that “we are more than one symptom,” emphasizing the importance of listening to the body and reconnecting with oneself.
Dr. Diana Richardson addressed preventable disease and the need to become “architects of wellbeing,” while HRH Princess Dr. Fotiny Gudela reflected on the historical and humanitarian role of nurses and healing traditions across cultures.
Dr. Ophadile Tshegofatso Gofhamodimo highlighted the importance of protecting the mental health of healthcare workers themselves, reminding attendees that caring for caregivers must become a global priority.
H.E. Amb. Dr. Srividhya Sukumar shared the importance of mental health balance and the integration of the “five quotients” necessary for a healthy and balanced life.
Closing the international conference, Dr. Virginia Rivera emphasized that the future of global health must move beyond isolated systems and toward collaborative ecosystems rooted in prevention, education, emotional wellbeing, and accessible care:
“Healthcare is not only about treatment. It is about creating systems where people can live healthier, more balanced, and more dignified lives. The future of global wellness will require collaboration across borders, disciplines, technology, education, and humanity itself.”
The event concluded with gratitude to healthcare workers, nurses, educators, and global changemakers around the world for their unwavering dedication to building healthier and more resilient communities.
International Internship University (IIU) continues its mission of inspiring, empowering, and connecting global leaders through education, innovation, and international collaboration.
Leave a Reply