The third residential meeting of Sciana Cohort 6 brought Fellows together for an immersive three-day experience dedicated to advancing bold, future-focused leadership in health, care, and wellbeing across Europe.

At a time when public health is more politicized than ever—shaped by the pandemic, rising misinformation, growing inequities, and declining trust in institutions—this gathering invited Fellows to confront and prepare for these challenges. Together, they explored how to lead effectively in an age of polarisation and activism, tackle the (over)complexity of modern health systems, and communicate effectively in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The session featured candid, off-the-record conversations and fresh insights from guest speakers and Sciana advisors.

• Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind and Founder of The Muse Nine (and a Cohort 5 Fellow), reflected on leading with courage and clarity in the face of polarisation and social movements.
• Jocalyn Clark, International Editor of The BMJ, (and Salzburg Global Fellow), offered perspectives on editorial leadership and challenged Fellows to rethink how they engage with media and public discourse.
• Peter Berchtold, Cohort 6's Sciana Advisor for Switzerland, led a dynamic session on navigating complexity in healthcare systems, uncovering the overlooked fundamentals of leadership in complex environments.

For the first time, Cohort 6 met and collaborated with the incoming Cohort 7. Together, they exchanged innovations and initiatives driving population health and equity in Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and across the wider European region.

• Lothar Wieler, Sciana Advisor for Germany, shared insights into digital innovations for population health.
• Dimitra Panteli, from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, presented new research on innovation in European health.
• Several Fellows also shared their experiences—successes, challenges, and lessons learnt—in advancing value-based healthcare across their respective systems.

A key highlight was the Open House session, where Cohort 6 Fellows presented their progress on the Sciana leadership challenge to an online audience of past cohorts, gathering feedback and support. These initiatives span areas such as childhood obesity, end-of-life care, and shifting from sickness management to health promotion. Fellows also explored strategic approaches to communicating their leadership ambitions and impact.

Evenings, in true Sciana tradition, were as convivial and inspiring as ever. From a scenic walking trail to a fireside-style Library Chat on women and leadership, Fellows enjoyed candid reflections and words of wisdom from advisors Alwen Williams and Bettina Borisch—offering guidance and encouragement to the many Fellows stepping into executive roles during their Sciana journey.

Ultimately, this meeting's aim was to help Fellows gain renewed clarity, commitment, and vision—equipping them to lead with purpose in a complex and rapidly changing world.