Description/Overview: Regardless of geographical, cultural, technological or economic differences, individuals and their families want care that is personalized, respectful, accessible and effective. This is a universal desire. How this plays out in different cultures and countries varies, however. The role of the individual and community, the availability of healthcare providers and treatments and the settings in which healthcare is provided differ – and must be taken into account in designing and offering personalized care This Symposium will explore the concept of person and family centered care from a global lens. Using the Institute of Medicine’s definition as a foundation (2001, p. 40) , the session will examine the idea of “a partnership among practitioners, patients and families to ensure that decisions respect patient wants, needs and preferences and that patients have the education and support they require to make decisions and participate in their own care.” The Symposium will cover three main areas: (1) What is person and family centered care, its definition, key elements, how is it different from what has historically been provided, and what are the competencies and organizational supports that are necessary for successfully delivering it; (2) What does person and family-centered care look like in various countries and cultures? What are the similarities and differences, and what work are international organizations doing to promote the concept worldwide? And (3) What are strategies that leaders can employ, regardless of the country or culture, in promoting a true partnership that includes the person and their family as “full partners and sources of control” (Cronenwett et al, 2007). Perhaps not surprisingly, examples of best practices in person and family-centered care are not coming from only one or two countries, but can be found in countries all around the world.