Art in Medicine
Symposium 2026
May 21 - 24, 2026
About
The Art in Medicine Symposium 2026 is designed to be a transformative three-day meeting in Florence, Italy for aimed at merging the disciplines of art and medicine to inspire practicing medical doctors from May 21 - May 24, 2026.
Central to the symposium are keynote addresses and interactive sessions, including seminars in Narrative Medicine and improving visual intelligence through fine art. Narrative Medicine, a field of growing importance, emphasizes the power of storytelling in healthcare to deepen patient relationships and foster empathy. Visual intelligence is equally vital for successful medical practice, as keen observational skills enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient care
The topic of neuroaesthetics, a field that investigates the neural basis of aesthetic experiences, exploring how the brain processes and responds to beauty, art, and other stimuli, and how that has an integral application to medicine will be explored through talks and workshops.
It will also have experts in Dante Alighieri and Leonardo da Vinci while participants learn and review their work. Dante’s insightful exploration of human experience and morality in The Divine Comedy inspires compassion of narratives in healthcare, while Leonardo da Vinci’s visionary fusion of art and science, especially through his anatomical studies, highlights the importance of observation and interdisciplinary thinking for medical diagnostics and innovation.
This symposium will support the development of these essential competencies through reflective exercises and fine art observation.
FACULTY MEMBERS: Dr. Nandini Gupta, Dr. Kristin Stasiowski, Dr. Anjan Chaterjee, Dr. Maria Bucco, Dr. Nicoletta Suter
Symposium Schedule
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7 PM – 10 PM
Welcome Dinner at Caffe del Verone
Introduction and Registration -
8 AM:
Check in and Registration
8 AM – 9 AM:
Welcome and AiM Symposium Overview
9 AM – 10 AM
Keynote Address – The Beauty of Neuroaesthetics and its vital role in Medicine
10 AM – 11 AM:
Narrative Medicine: The Art of Storytelling in Medicine
11 AM – 12 PM:
Art and Medicine through the eyes of Dante Alighieri
12 PM – 1 PM:
Lunch and networking
1 PM – 4 PM:
Choice of: Museo Galileo or Uffizi Gallery Museum Visit
Choice of: Innovative Approaches in Healthcare with Art Workshop or Narrative Medicine Reflective Exercise Workshop
Participants will choose a maximum of ONE museum session per day -
8 AM – 9 AM:
Reflective Writing Exercise
9 AM – 10 AM:
Strengthening Visual Intelligence through Art
10 AM – 11AM:
Narrative Medicine: The Art of Storytelling in Healthcare
11 AM – 12 PM:
Leonardo da Vinci: Bridging Art and Medicine
12 PM – 1 PM:
Lunch and networking
1 PM – 4 PM:
Choice of: Museo Galileo or Uffizi Gallery Museum Visit
Choice of: Innovative Approaches in Healthcare with Art Workshop or Narrative Medicine Reflective Exercise Workshop
Participants will choose a maximum of ONE museum session per dayDinner at Palazzo Borghese at 630 PM
Dress Code: Black Tie Optional
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9 AM – 11AM: Reflective Writing Exercise, Review and Thank You
Venue & Hotel Information
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Museo degli Innocenti
The Art in Medicine Symposium 2026 will be held at the Museo delgi Innocenti in Florence, Italy.
The Museo degli Innocenti chronicles the activities carried out by the Instituto degli Innocenti throughout its long history thanks to a profound relationship between works of art, architecture, memory and documentation. The combination of these elements has resulted in a truly significant and wholly original cultural heritage.
Main stage sessions, the welcome dinner (at Caffe del Verone), workshops and the exhibit hall with lunch will be taking place in the Museo delgi Innocenti.
*Museum Tours will be held in their respective locations
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Palazzo Borghese
Palazzo Borghese is the most important example of neoclassical architecture in the UNESCO area of Florence.
It is the first home of the Salviati family, then the Florentine residence of Prince Camillo Borghese.
Art in Medicine Syposium 2026 will host its final dinner at this iconic venue.
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Hotel Pendini
Hotel Pendini is on Piazza della Republica, the heart of life in the city.
The recently completed beautification and expansion of the hotel has made it a real ‘city hotel’ without compromising the charming traditional atmosphere of Florence in the Belle Époque.
AiM has secured rooms for the Art in Medicine (AiM) symposium at this special hotel. Once you have registered, the AiM team will contact you regarding hotel bookings.
Prices & Packaging
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Early Registration (before October 1, 2025)
Join us in beautiful Florence, Italy
Premium conference welcome package on check-in and registration
Welcome Dinner on May 21 with live learning
Two full days of live talks at the historic Museo degli Innocenti with museum visits and workshops
Breakfast, lunch and coffee on May 22 and May 23
Museum visit tickets included
Dinner at Palazzo Borghese on May 23
Thank you and Review on May 24 with live learningPremium access to AiM’s official Hotel, Hotel Pedini.
Option to purchase an additional ticket for your spouse or partner to to attend the finale dinner
Pricing: €995 per participant ($1550 CAD)
*If you are travelling with a family, please let the AiM organizer know - we have secured a few family-sized apartments for your convenience
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Regular Registration
Join us in beautiful Florence, Italy
Conference welcome package on check-in and registration
Welcome Dinner on May 21 with live learning
Two full days of live talks at the historic Museo degli Innocenti with museum visits and workshops
Breakfast, lunch and coffee on May 22 and May 23
Museum visit tickets included
Dinner at Palazzo Borghese on May 23
Thank you and Review on May 24 with live learningOption to purchase an additional ticket for your spouse or partner to to attend the finale dinner
Pricing: €1175 per participant ($1850 CAD)
*If you are travelling with a family, please let the AiM organizer know - we have secured a few family-sized apartments for your convenience
Sponsors
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for their support!
Interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor? Please contact us for our 2026 sponsorship prospectus and application form.
Cancellation Policy
Costs are incurred by the symposium organizers for all cancellations and changes (non-refundable credit card processing fees and administrative fees). Our cancellation policies are designed to offset these costs and to ensure the sustainability of the event for others. These policies are final. All registrations are non-transferrable.
PLEASE NOTE: If you need to cancel your in-person registration, please ensure you also cancel any travel arrangements you made (flights, hotel rooms, etc). Art in Medicine (AiM) is not responsible for any travel-related costs.
Cancellations until December 1, 2025:
Full refund minus €150 administration fee
Cancellations December 2, 2025 onwards:
No refunds for cancellations.
Force Majeure
If the Art in Medicine (AiM) committee determines that the conference cannot be held in-person due to COVID-19 or other pandemic (either due to Public Health guidelines or a large number of cancellations due to a pandemic situation worsening in Europe) all registrations will automatically receive a credit towards the next announced conference with priority access.
This also applies to any other unforeseen emergencies that would restrict the ability to hold an in-person conference including strike, lock-out, riots, insurrection, war, pandemic, natural disaster or weather emergency restricting travel, government-imposed lockdown, act of God.
The conference organizers reserve the right to change the schedule or replace a speaker if unforeseen circumstances arise.
CME credits for any session are not guaranteed until an official announcement is made.