The annual GWish Art of Presence Retreat offers a sacred space for you to contemplate your own spirituality and deepen your commitment to your call to serve. This retreat is designed for health care practitioners—doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, chaplains—as well as other professionals open to deepening their spiritual lives. All seekers are welcome, regardless of faith, belief system, or culture.
Now is your chance to visit a contemplative and beautiful city, visited by millions each year. During this one-of-a-kind retreat, we will experience a much-needed pause and reflect on what gives meaning in our lives. We will also explore the importance of being present not only with our patients, but with ourselves.
GWish Retreat: A Spiritual Experience
Health professionals and providers from many disciplines who care for patients and families are invited to participate in an interdisciplinary retreat designed to provide respite and renewal, reflection and nourishment, and to re-ignite your passion for your vocation.
Experience what it means to be a compassionate presence to those you serve. Understand the role of personal boundaries as you care for those who are deeply suffering and explore how your own spirituality enables you to practice compassionate presence.
Dedicate this time to your professional well-being through reflection, small group sharing, journaling, meditation, and taking time for yourself.
In this retreat you will:
- Experience peaceful presence through meditation, journaling, and sharing.
- Learn tools, skills, and rituals to share with patients and colleagues.
- Reflect on your own commitment to your chosen vocation.
- Reinforce personal boundaries when caring for patients.
- Meet in small groups to listen, share, and support.
- Explore your own spirituality and how it helps you be present to the people you serve, especially those who are suffering.
- Give yourself time off from the everyday demands of your work.
- Earn CE credits for participating.
Join us for the GWish Art of Presence Retreat and bring a deeper meaning and purpose to your practice. Set aside October 2-8, 2025 to contemplate your call to serve at the GWish Art of Presence Retreat.
I have never in my entire life felt this much energy. This is not a retreat. It's a pilgrimage. It's spiritual. It's energy. It's communication and communion.
—Rebecca RN, CNP, Four Seasons Hospice, Hendersonville, NC
Sign up for GWish announcements to be notified of open registration.
Christina Puchalski, MD, FACP, FAAHPM Physician and Founder of The George Washington University Institute for Spirituality* |
Carolyn Jacobs, PhD, MSW. |
Mario Cagna, MDiv. Chaplain, Pastoral Care, Genoa, Italy |
Edward O'Donnell, M.A. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the venue for the retreat?
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Hotel Monastero Sant'Andrea
+39 075 812274
Vicolo Santa Margherita, 13 - 06081 Assisi PG- Italy
- Do I make my own travel arrangements?
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Yes, please make your own travel arrangements. Please contact Cherron Gardner Thomas at gwish [at] gwu [dot] edu (gwish[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you have any questions. Plan to arrive at the Monastero di Sant'Andrea on Thursday October 2, 2025. The retreat starts at 7:30pm with dinner followed by the opening session. The retreat ends at noon on Wednesday, October 8.
Fly into Fiumicino Airport, Rome. There is a train that will take you to the Train Station in Rome called Roma Termini. There are many trains from Rome (Termini station) to Assisi. Only for certain rides it is required to change trains in Foligno; the other rides connect Rome and Assisi directly, without the need to change. There are cabs available at the train station in Assisi. It is a brief cab ride from the train station in Assisi to the Monastery. The taxi fare from the train station in Assisi to the monastery is around 6 euros.The journey from Roma Termini to Assisi is approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes by train. Alternatively, if you rent a car or taxi at the airport, it will take approximately 2.5 hours.
- What is the registration cost for attending the GWish 2025 retreat?
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- Registration fee: $1,600.00 USD.
- Full payment due by Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The registration fee can be paid on the secure GW Touchnet Payment Portal.
- Air/ground transportation, accommodation, meals, and Assisi city tax are not included in the registration fee.
- What is included in the registration cost of $1,600.00?
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Six-day retreat that includes contemplative practices, presentations from leaders, group sharing, reflection, time for quiet, time to explore the city of Assisi, tools for clinical practice of compassionate presence.
- What is the cost for accommodation and meals?
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Accommodation October 2-8, 2025 (Lunch and dinner not included)
- Single: €80 each day x 6 nights: €480.00 (breakfast included for one person)
- Double used as a single: €140.00 each day x 6 nights: €840.00 (breakfast included for one per-son)
- Double/Twin (double bed or 2 single beds): €150.00 each day x 6 nights: €900.00 (€450.00 each person). Breakfast Included for two people.
Meals: (Lunch and Dinner – October 2-7)
10 Meals (€20 per meal = €200 per person)The retreat starts with dinner on October 2nd. There will be one free evening where retreatants can eat on their own at any of the restaurants in Assisi. The retreat ends at noon on October 8th (no lunch nor dinner).
City Tax: The above rates do not include the city tax which costs €2.00 per night per person for three nights (€6).
- How do I pay for accommodation, meals, and city tax?
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Credit card payments are accepted. Payment for accommodation, meals and city tax are to be paid by retreatants to the hotel "Monastero Sant'Andrea" by credit card or wire transfer as follows:
- 40% deposit by Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- 60% balance upon arrival in Assisi
Hotel and meal costs are handled separately from retreat registration. A link for instructions on how to reserve and remit fees for your hotel room and meals can be found during payment of the $1,600.00 USD registration fee. Please note - ISPEC registration is paid in USD; room and board is paid to the monastery in Euros.
- What is your refund policy?
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- The full registration fee of $1,600.00 is due on Tuesday, July 1,2025. Written cancelations received before Tuesday, July 15 are eligible for a full refund less a $50.00 processing fee. If written cancellation notice is received after July 15, the registration fee is non-refundable except for medical emergencies. A refund due to medical emergencies will only be granted if a medical certificate from a physician or hospital is provided.
- Registrations can be transferred to a colleague, with a written authorization from the original registrant. Your colleague must confirm attendance before July 15, 2025.
This registration deadline and refund policy applies only to the retreat fee. It does not apply to hotel reservations and meals.
- Will I get CE credits for attending the retreat?
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The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACGME) to provide continuing education credits to physicians and nurses. Other attendees receive a certificate of completion to submit to their accrediting bodies for consideration of credits.