Events

Upcoming Keynotes, Retreats, Service (Abridged)

• 2022 ended and 2023 began with many surprising and exciting new opportunities! From meaningful writing and editing projects to speaking and radio interviews, I feel humbled and hopeful to continue to advocate and educate to ensure my colleagues are equipped to provide excellent care with compassion -- precisely what we are trained (and longing!) to do. I am grateful.
• I was thrilled to return to the national AAFP Family Medicine Experience to present about ways to Connect with Your Purpose for Effective Leadership (Washington DC, Sep 2022). I  provided several presentations plus 1:1 consultations to Supercharge Your Future -- so meaningful and well received by my physician colleagues! I had the joy of supporting my colleagues while spreading hope and sharing practical tips to add efficiency and meaning to practice. Getting to meet Malcolm Gladwell (also a speaker there!) was icing on the ... flan!
• I spoke at a local college prep school on the important topic of kindness (Oct 2022). I was blessed to build upon my hero's words -- Mother Teresa inspired me years ago, and still. She said, "We can't all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love." Yes!
• I closed 2022 with a December main stage presentation on wellness, coaching and communication skills for physicians at the FAFP Winter Summit in Amelia Island, FL. 

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In 2021, I was honored to be chosen as one of five family physicians to join the national multi-specialty WEL Alliance. WEL stands for Wellness through Equity and Leadership, and each of 10 national medical organizations chose 5 physicians to join the 18-month leadership program. Thank you, AAFP, and every leader and organization that made this possible! I am so grateful and feel so blessed to be part of this amazing community of physician leaders.

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Recent Keynotes, Leadership, Advocacy, Retreats, Service, Honors (Abridged)

2021-22

• I provided several presentations plus a special session to support physicians and facilitate opportunities for reflection. It was precious! I served as faculty, content developer, presenter, and leader at the AAFP physician wellness conference. Naples, FL. March-Apr 2022.
• Main stage DEI session for the NY State Academy of Family Physicians. Topic: Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies to de-escalate difficult encounters. Jan 2022.
  
• Presentation at the annual Catholic Medical Association national physician conference. Topic: Recapturing Joy in Medicine. Orlando, FL. Oct 2021.
• Presentation & problem-based learning workshops at the FMX (Family Medicine Experience) national conference. Sep-Oct 2021.
• Presentation on strategies to handle troubling encounters at the AAFP Women's Health Livestream. June 2021.
  
• Meaningful interview with CMDA chapter in Minnesota that's been studying my book, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare. May 2021.
  
• I was honored to return as faculty and presenter for the national AAFP Physician Health & Wellbeing Conference in April 2021. I presented a keynote on Incivility in Healthcare, an interactive workshop about Recapturing Joy in Medicine (based on my latest book), and more. It was an amazing conference, as always!
• Keynote presentation, Wellness for Intentional Leadership, for heads of school throughout Central FL. Apr 2021. 
  
• Fun interview with #LatinasinMedicine!
  
• Led a Lenten Quiet Day retreat and gave away my e-book, Finishing Well in the Storms of Life, to all participants. Learn more here. March 2021.
  
• Honored to have a podcast interview with FMA CEO, Tim Stapleton, to tell the story of how I became a physician & patient advocate, why & how I serve my colleagues as a coach, speaker, retreat leader, writer,... and my book, Recapturing Joy in Medicine, which he called "a love letter to the medical profession." What a way to start the New Year! Feel blessed and grateful. Jan 2021.
• My virtual small group based on Recapturing Joy in Medicine will resume in late Jan-early Feb. Interested? Let me know HERE.
  
• Presentation for Internal Medicine faculty & residents, FSU College of Medicine, Tallahassee. Topic: Strategies to de-escalate difficult encounters. Jan 2021.

 2020

• Presentation for Emergency Medicine faculty & residents at FSU COM Residency Program. Topic: Physician Wellness & the Triple Whammy (hint: it's about "burnout"). Dec 2020.
  
• Wrapped up my very special small group virtual program for physicians, Creating a Path to Meaning. Nov 2020. If you're interested in joining one of my small group programs, let me know HERE.
  
• Invited to present virtually for CMDA chapter meeting. Topic: Navigating difficult encounters. Oct 2020.
• Led a workshop for faculty and fellows at a family medicine residency program. Sep 2020.
  
• Presentation for residents and faculty about skills and mindsets key for physicians in the pandemic. Sept 2020.
  
• Interview about mentoring and coaching with Success Made to Last. Oct 2020.
  
• Interviewed about my life as a physician, my books, and ministry by Serenity & Health physician writer, Dr. Donna Chacko. Aug 2020.
  
• Virtual presentation for 250+ medical students, residents, and faculty. This year's AAFP National Conference went virtual and it went so well. My timely topic was Incivility in Healthcare. July 2020.
  
• This year's FAFP Summer Forum went virtual and it was a tremendous success! My Topic was Physician Wellness & Inspiring Change: New Skills for Primary Care Physicians. It helped equipped us for medicine and life in the pandemic. July 11, 2020. 
• Leading inspiring book study of Recapturing Joy in Medicine for women physicians. Started July 2020. Let me know HERE if you'd like to join us (it's virtual)! Sign up HERE for virtual co-ed study of the book starting fall 2020.
  
• Interview with Success Made to Last and 4word Ministries. June 2020.
  
• Interview with Physicians Working Together as part of Our Stories, Our Journey. April 2020.
• Interview about advocacy & hope in the midst of a pandemic. April 2020.
• Webinar for medical students for FACTS. Topic: Wellness in the Days of COVID-19. April 2020.
• Timely webinar for physicians I was asked to provide for the Florida Academy of Family Physicians. Topic: Stress Management & Resilience in the Days of COVID-19. April 2020.
• Plenary session for 450+ physicians when I return as faculty at 3rd annual AAFP Physician Health & Wellbeing Conference. Topic: Incivility in Health Care. San Antonio, TX. April 2020. (Cancelled due to COVID-19. I will speak at their 2021 conference in Naples, FL. Stay tuned!)
• Recapturing Joy in Medicine workshops for physicians at AAFP Physician Health & Wellbeing Conference. San Antonio, TX. April 2020. (Cancelled due to COVID-19. I will speak at their 2021 conference in Naples, FL. Stay tuned!)
• Keynote for college students & faculty at a college campus on whole-person wellness, self-care, and burnout prevention. April 2020. (Cancelled due to COVID-19; stay tuned!)
• Interview to celebrate National Physicians Day in the Midst of a Pandemic. March 2020.
  
• Honored to serve as Dr. of the Day with my husband serving as Pastor of the Day at the Capitol. Grateful to Senator Torres for having me as his guest during the day's Senate proceedings. Tallahassee, FL. March 2020. I wrote about this year's experience HERE.
• I was blessed to lead a one-day retreat (Trusting God in the Deep) based on my book, The 3 Y's of Faith. This retreat was an extremely timely way to prepare spiritually, emotionally, and mentally for the pandemic that began to impact our state merely days later. March 2020. 
• Grand Rounds presentation for psychiatry faculty and residents. Topic: The Triple Whammy and Physician Wellness. UCF College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Feb 2020. 
• Radio interview on WQBQ about my work in wellness, whole-person care, and burnout prevention. Feb 2020.  

* Please contact me HERE to discuss having me 

speak to your group. *

 Keynotes, Workshops, Retreats, Leadership Activities (Abridged)

2019

- Ended the year with a bang as I was blessed to provide the closing keynote at a physician wellness conference in Minnesota sponsored by the MN Medical Association. Topic was Recapturing the Joy in Medicine. Dec 2019.
- Invited to serve as a panelist addressing college students and faculty at Florida Southern College. Loved the students and their energy! Nov 2019.
- Guest panelist at Women's Law Caucus Annual Legal Tea, A&M College of Law. Topic: Mental health, wellness, and burnout prevention. Orlando, FL. Oct 25, 2019.
- FMA Physician Wellness Committee meeting. Ft Lauderdale. Oct 2019.
- 3rd session of book study for physicians using Recapturing Joy in Medicine. Oct 2019.
- My article, Incivility in Health Care: Strategies for De-escalating Troubling Encounters, published in peer-reviewed journal, Family Practice Management. Sep 2019.
- Traveled to Washington, DC for editing work and planning meeting, FACTS/FMEC. Sep 2019.
- Book study meeting with physicians to discuss Recapturing Joy in Medicine. Topic that emerged: Doing more of what you love as an antidote to burnout and a path to whole-person wellness. Loved meeting the lovely new physician colleagues who joined our group! Orlando, FL. Aug 23, 2019
-  Interviewed by Medical Economics journalists for two upcoming articles. July-Aug 2019.
- Served as a Delegate at the Florida Medical Association House of Delegates meeting. Provided testimony on behalf of patients and physicians at reference committee. Orlando, FL. August 2019.
- Book Launch Brunch/book signing for Recapturing Joy in Medicine! A lovely and meaningful event. Winter Park, FL. August 4, 2019.
- Webinar for Kansas Academy of Family Physicians: Cultivating a Servant Heart Without Burning Out. July 2019.
- Mentoring meeting with medical student. July 2019
- Kickoff book study with female physicians using my latest book, Recapturing Joy in Medicine. July 2019 
- Interviewed by Florida Medical Association for upcoming article. July 2019
- Grand Rounds presentation for hospital medical staff, residents, and medical students on physician wellness and burnout prevention strategies. June 2019.
- Faculty/presenter at AAFP Physician Health & Well-being Conference. June 2019, Phoenix, AZ.
- Led discussions as chair of FAFP Physician Wellness Subcommittee. May 2019, Orlando, FL.
- Main stage presentation on wellness with a focus on physician leadership, FAFP Spring Conference. May 2019, Orlando, FL.
- Designed and led Annual Quiet Day retreat for Daughters of the King with reflections based on my third book, The 3 Y's of Faith. March 2019
- Interactive workshops & main stage presentations addressing wellness, practice management, and burnout prevention strategies for physicians and medical teams. Jan 2019, Miami, FL
- Guest speaker presenting The Triple Whammy & Physician Wellness at American College of Cardiology spring conference. Jan 2019
- Facilitated 6-month study of The 3 Y's of Faith. 2018-19

2018

- Consultation and presentation for hospital C-suite and physician leadership to assist with their physician wellness and burnout prevention strategy. Dec, 2018.
- Keynote presentation now available as a webinar. Inspiring Change: Lifestyle choices made easier. Florida Medical Association Annual Conference. Orlando, FL. Aug 2018.
- Keynote for physicians on leadership, service, and physician wellness. Florida Medical Association Annual Conference. Aug 2018.
- FAFP Delegate to FMA House of Delegates. Orlando, FL. Aug 2018.
- Keynote for 250+ physician and healthcare leaders. Tampa, FL. Aug 2018.
- Keynote at national conference for physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students on the business side of medicine. Addressed the heart of medicine and discussed ways to empower physicians to take back control of their lives and future in medicine. New Jersey. June 2018.
- Honored to address physician colleagues at the FAFP Summer Conference as part of our physician wellness series. Orlando, FL. May 2018.
- Board of Directors meeting, FAFP. Orlando, FL. May 2018. 
- FAFP Physician Wellness Initiative planning meeting. Orlando, FL. May 2018.
- Faculty at AAFP first Physician Wellness Conference. Gave three presentations as well as table talks to equip and empower our colleagues. Naples, FL. April 2018.
- Thrilled to be chosen for a scholarship to participate in media training in Washington, DC. March 2018.
- Honored to serve as Doctor of the Day and guest on the floor of the House of Representatives at the Florida Capitol. Tallahassee, FL. Jan 2018. (Thank you, Senator Torres & Rep. Plasencia!)

2017

- Honored to speak to over 600 physician colleagues on ways to maintain joy in medicine (all about physician leadership, advocacy, equipping). Florida Academy of Family Physicians Winter Conference. Amelia Island, FL. Dec 2017.
- Board of Directors meeting, Florida Academy of Family Physicians. Amelia Island, FL. Dec 2017.
- Invited by Congressman Pete Sessions to represent physicians and patients as a new member of the National Physicians' Council for Healthcare Policy. Washington DC. Nov 2017. Left the meetings inspired and full of hope!
- Honored to represent Florida family physicians and patients as a delegate to the Florida Medical Association House of Delegates. FMA Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. August 2017.
- Presentation for physicians on burnout prevention and wellness. Florida Academy of Family Physicians Summer Conference. Palm Beach, FL. July 2017.
- Board of Directors meeting, Florida Academy of Family Physicians. Palm Beach, FL. July 2017. 
- Physician panelist, Prolife Women's Conference. Orlando, FL. June 2017. 
- Presentation for medical students & interns on physician wellness and burnout prevention. FSU College of Medicine. Tallahassee, FL. June 2017.
- Honored to serve as Doctor of the Day at Florida's Capitol. Guest at House of Representatives' proceedings. Tallahassee, FL. May 2017. (Thank you, Sen Torres!)
- Live (and live-stream) presentation for 115 medical students throughout our lovely state on physician wellness & burnout prevention. Orlando, FL. May 2017.
- Board of Directors meeting, Florida Academy of Family Physicians. April 2017.
- American Academy of Family Physicians Chapter Leadership Conference (participant & resolution drafter). Kansas City. April 2017.
- FACTS Presentation on fertility awareness based methods of family planning at UF College of Medicine. Gainesville, FL. April 2017.
- Florida Medical Association CME Committee meeting and accreditation surveyor training. Orlando, FL. March 2017.

2016

- Physician Leadership Development Challenge. Dec 2016.
- FAFP Board of Directors meeting. Dec 2016.
- Graduated from the FMA Leadership Academy. July 2016.
- On the Road to Wellness: Physicians, The Triple Whammy, & Burnout Prevention.™ A presentation for young physicians. June 2016.
- Webinar for physicians and other healthcare professionals and administrators. From Triple Whammy to Wellness: Physicians & the Triple Aim.™ June 2016.
- Florida Medical Association Leadership Academy meeting. Orlando, FL. May 2016.
- Honored to be one of six State delegates to the Family Medicine Congressional Conference. Met with legislators at the U.S. Capitol, Washington DC. April 2016.
- Florida Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors meeting. Orlando, FL. April 2016.
- Presentation and group coaching for the Women's Interactive Network: Women Living Well: Tips for a healthier you! March 2016.
- Blessed to serve as Doctor of the Day at Florida's Capitol and invited to afternoon proceedings at the Senate floor. Jan 2016. (Thank you, Sen Gardiner!)
- Led spiritual formation women's retreat at Canterbury Retreat Center. Jan 15-16, 2016.
- FMA Leadership Academy meeting. Coral Gables. Jan 2016.

2015

- FAFP Board of Directors meeting, Amelia Island. Dec 2015.
- FMA Leadership Academy, Gainesville, FL. Dec 2015.
- Book signing, Winter Park, FL. Sep 2015.
- Speaker during annual conference, Women in Medicine and Dentistry, Sep 2015. Cultivating A Servant Heart. CO Springs.
- Presented webinar for physicians: Cultivating A Servant Heart. Coalition for Physician Wellbeing. July 17, 2015.
- Led one-day women's retreat on essentials of spiritual formation based on my book, The Three Y's of Faith. Inverness, FL. June, 2015.
- Keynote speaker at annual Emergency Dept Summit, Orlando Health clinical team/leadership: From Burnout to Thriving in Healthcare. Orlando, FL. May 21, 2015.
- Led worship service for physicians during Florida Academy of Family Physicians spring conference. Orlando, FL. April 2015.
- Facilitated Finding Meaning in Medicine session for physicians and healthcare administrators. Ponte Vedra, FL. April 2015.
- Workshop presenter during Church Leadership Retreat. Essentials of Spiritual Formation (based on my book, The 3 Y's of Faith). Canterbury Retreat Center, March 14, 2015
- Preventing & Overcoming Compassion Fatigue (webinar for nurses/clinicians). Feb 11, 2015.

2013-14

- Retreat staff/presenter on the power of prayer (Show Me Your Glory). Canterbury Retreat Center. Dec 5-6 2014.
- Presented webinar/facilitated discussion with physicians: Chosen, Equipped, Joyful in Ministry. June 20, 2014.

- Cultivating Healthy Hearts in Business (Orlando Business Series, Latina Style Magazine). May 15, 2014.
- Mentor/table leader, Entrepreneurship conference for girls (Girls Going Places). May 5, 2014.
- Cultivating a Servant Heart in a Busy Practice. Presentations for physicians. April 2014.
- Cultivating a Servant Heart in Healthcare (half-day seminar for healthcare professionals). Nov 8, 2013.
- Living on Purpose: A key to contentment, peace, and effectiveness (one-day seminar, Institute of Christian Studies). Sep 21, 2013.
- Walking with Jesus in Healthcare. Presentation for Faith Community Nurses. July 2013.
- The Power of Testimony: Christian Community Health Fellowship Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. May 2013.
- Walking with Jesus in Healthcare: Opening devotion at Healthcare Leadership Retreat, Knoxville, TN. May 2013.
- Walking with Jesus While Caring for People: Glennon House healing ministry. March 2013.
- Shared excerpts from Walking with Jesus in Healthcare with physicians during worship service. Physician Well-being Conference. April 2013.
- When Faith and Medicine Meet: Table talks with physicians. Physician Well-being Conference. April 2013.
- Known, Set Apart, Appointed: Canterbury Retreat Ctr. Feb 2013.
- Find your Purpose: Inspiring high school students to seek, trust, and follow God. Jan 2013.

- Celebrating Women as God's Masterpiece: St Luke's Cathedral. 

- Health, Hope, and Healing: A Taste of Wellness event for Breast Cancer Awareness, Ft Walton Beach, FL.

- Knowing God Through Journaling: Clergy Wives' Annual Retreat, Delafield, WI.

Writing Projects in Progress (Abridged)

- Volume I of my devotional, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare, has inspired healthcare servants as far as Kenya and Australia. I am writing volume II (based on The Acts of the Apostles). For more information on this series, please visit my website.
- I am writing a book on the purpose, relevance, and necessity of mourning the losses of life--a hopeful, inspiring book I've been working on for about seven years. It will be finished at just the right time ... likely not for a few more years!
- I am writing a book for patients and another one for physicians. More to come in 2018!
- Finished commentary on Philippians & Colossians for The Journey (published April 2018).

Recent Interviews (Abridged) 

- Honored to be interviewed by Dr. Clif Knight, Sr VP of Education for AAFP. Topics included physician wellness, burnout prevention, and physician leadership. We also discussed the Academy's initiative to address gender gaps in medicine whereby female physicians experience higher rates of burnout than their male counterparts. April 2018.
- Interview with 4word, a national organization serving professional Christian women, Feb 2015.
- Radio interview with TIME Magazine writer Maryann Makekau and author Rob Harris, May 26, 2014.
- Radio interview with Jo Rathmanner on Connecting Faith Live, Jan 3, 2014. We discussed my book, The Ultimate Girls' Body Book (Zondervan). 
- Radio interview with Hope Matters and Rob Cares, Feb 2013.
- Radio show guest with Healing Ministry at The Glennon House, March 2013.

Recently Completed Writing Projects

- I published The 3 Y's of Faith in 2015, Volume I of Walking with Jesus in Healthcare in 2012, and coauthored The Ultimate Girls' Body Book (released Jan 2014, Zondervan) 
- Bible commentary on Galatians: A 25-day study for The Journey (will publish May 2016)
- The Radiance of God's Glory (A 25-day study of Hebrews for The Journey, Jan-April 2014)
- Turning Points of the Faith (published by BRF, May-Aug 2013) 
- Faith in Action: Living a Life of Blessing (A 25-day study of the book of James and the Sermon on the Mount for The Journey, May-Aug 2012) 
- Editorial review of (award winning!) peer-reviewed research paper for Osteopathic Family Physician Journal 
- Editorial review/copyedit of Spanish translation of 8 Secrets of a Healthy 100 by Dr. Des Cummings 
- Peer review, CREATION Health Life Guide: Rest at its Best and others (Florida Hospital Publishing) 
- Copyedit, When Your Grandma Forgets: Helping Children Cope with Alzheimer's
- Daily devotions for Good News Daily (published Holy Week 2013 and May 2014) 
- Spanish translation, When Your Dad Goes to War: Helping Children Cope with Deployment and Beyond
- Spanish translation, Nowhere Hair (¿Y el pelo?)
- Peer review of manuscripts for Florida Hospital's Publishing Dept (ongoing)

Thank you for visiting this rest stop. Linger a while, relax, and get inspired and renewed. Invite your friends to do the same and come back soon!

Faithfully, 

Dr Mari

"...for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable." 

Romans 11:29

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