Date/Time
Date(s) - 17/06/2026
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

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Register online: https://www.xcdsystem.com/mcmasterchse/attendee/index.cfm?ID=1s3TKp0 

#MacPFD19 is co-sponsored by McMaster Continuing Education (MCE). For information on MCE program offerings, please visit continuing.mcmaster.ca.

Mattering is the experience of feeling significant that comes from feeling valued and knowing how you add value in everyday interactions. Mattering is linked to motivation, engagement, well-being, and performance. However, over the last decade, research indicates that a key driver of disengagement and burnout—especially in health care settings—are feelings of invisibility, underappreciation, and feeling undervalued. The good news is that emerging research shows we can learn, implement, and evaluate the skills to cultivate daily experiences for those we teach and work alongside.

Target Audience

All McMaster University faculty, staff, and other healthcare professionals are invited to attend.

Overall Learning Objectives

At the end of this learning activity, the learners will be able to:

• Define the concept of mattering in healthcare learning and work environments.
• Explain the impact of perceived mattering on engagement, well-being, and performance.
• Analyze behaviours and systems that increase or diminish a sense of mattering in clinical teams.
• Apply practical strategies that communicate value to learners and colleagues.
• Reflect on personal leadership and teaching practices through the lens of mattering.

Speaker

Zach Mercurio, Ph.D., Author, The Invisible Leader and The Power of Mattering (2025)

Zach Mercurio is a researcher, author, and leadership development facilitator specializing in purposeful leadership, mattering, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology.

He advises leaders in organizations worldwide on practices for building cultures that promote well-being, motivation, and performance.

Zach earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University, where he serves as a Senior Research and Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology’s Center for Meaning and Purpose, and as an Instructor in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change program.

His research on meaningful work has received awards from the Association for Talent Development, the Academy of Management, and the Academy of Human Resource Development. His previous book was The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose.

More About the Wong Forum in Medicine

As former students of McMaster University, Henry and Sylvia Wong believe it is one of the best schools in the world and have provided financial support to establish an annual forum for the advancement of research and public education in medicine. Dr. Wong, who was part of the second MD class to graduate from McMaster in 1973, said he and his wife established the forum in repayment of both the education and enjoyment they had as McMaster students. Mrs. Wong graduated in 1969 with a BA in psychology and worked in the Health Sciences library.

“I really enjoyed the problem-based learning method, where we used our leaders as resources and studied on our own and with the help of fellow students in small groups,” said Dr. Wong. “We wanted to set up an annual lecture that would enhance our university.”

Details and times are subject to change. Program times are in Eastern Time (ET).

 

Learn more: https://cpd.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/programs/macpfd19/