The third residential meeting of Sciana Cohort 7 will bring Fellows together for an immersive programme exploring the challenges of contemporary health leadership and promoting systemic change across Europe.

At a time when health systems are confronted with growing structural pressures, increasing systemic complexity, and crises including conflict contexts, this gathering will invite Fellows to reflect on their own leadership journeys while engaging with key pillars of future-oriented care. Together, they will consider how to embed equity in their organizations, use communication as a tool for systems change, and lead effectively in an increasingly polarized environment. 

The session will bring together candid, off-the-record discussions and fresh perspectives shared by guest speakers, Fellows and Advisors:

• Scott C. Ratzan, Co-Chair of the Nature Medicine Commission on Quality Health Information for All, and Saskia De Gani, Head Careum Center for Health Literacy & Management Board Careum and Cohort 5 Fellow, will explore systems leadership in the context of an evolving communication environment.
• Vishaal Virani, Head of Health at YouTube (EMEA Partnerships, Health & AI, Google).  
• Verena Stocker, Head of Lilly Gateway Labs, and Cohort 7 Fellow, will share insights on transitioning between public and private health sectors.
• Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory and Cohort 8 Fellow, will challenge Fellows to move health equity from a symbolic gesture to a reality embedded in organizational strategy.
• Pedro Delgado, Vice-President of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), will lead a session on "Age-Friendly Health Systems."

One of the key highlights will be the “Pitching to the Network” session. During this session, Cohort 7 working groups will share their progress on the Sciana leadership challenge with an online audience of Fellows from earlier cohorts. 

For the first time, Cohort 7 will meet and collaborate with the incoming Cohort 8. Together, they will share innovations and initiatives that advance population health and equity in Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and across the wider European region.

• Andreas Welker, Cohort 7 Fellow, and Markus Ries, Cohort 8 Fellow, will provide insights on cross-boundary leadership in times of crisis, using a scenario-based discussion on leadership in contexts of war and uncertainty. 

Evenings, in true Sciana tradition, will be as convivial and inspiring as ever. From a scenic walking trail and a picnic in the city to an intimate fireside-style conversation, Fellows will have the opportunity to get to know the vital work and mission of two of Sciana’s partners. This session will feature Saskia De Gani from Careum and Hugh Alderwick from The Health Foundation, who will share reflections on how their organizations drive systemic change. These informal moments will provide invaluable guidance and encouragement for Fellows who are stepping into executive roles or navigating complex transitions throughout their Sciana journey.

Ultimately, the meeting aims to help Fellows gain renewed clarity, commitment, and vision, equipping them to lead with purpose in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving world.