The College of Human Medicine will host a conference focused on medicine and spirituality today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kellogg Center auditorium.

Howard Brody, a professor in the Department of Family Practice and a faculty member in the Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences, is giving the keynote address about virtue in medicine.

"Virtue is among the things that give people's lives meaning," Brody said. "It means striving towards excellence as a person and be the person you most want to be."

Being able to relate to patients and remain an optimistic doctor depends on spirituality, Brody said, and is indispensable for members of the medical profession.

The yearly conference, which has been running for eight years, is in honor of Father John Foglio, a professor emeritus in the Department of Family Practice.

Foglio developed the "spirituality and medicine" courses in the College of Human Medicine.

The cost is $85 at the door and $25 for students.