FCAAP Wellness

The FCAAP Wellness Program was launched to support and encourage members in prioritizing their own well-being. The spring and fall wellness series feature expert-led educational sessions held live via Zoom on key areas of wellness. These sessions are offered free to Chapter members. The FCAAP Strava Club provides a welcoming community of “FCAAP athletes” and offers periodic fitness challenges that provide members with a fun way to stay fit and healthy.

In addition to wellness series, FCAAP incorporates a wide variety of wellness activities into its annual conference, The Future of Pediatric Practice. From sunrise yoga, to guided meditation sessions, to a fun run, and so much more, when it comes to wellness, FCAAP walks the walk!

Don’t miss any of the member-exclusive events coming in 2023 as part of FCAAP Wellness Program!

The 2023 FCAAP Spring Wellness Series is brought to you by:

MESSAGE FROM OUR WELLNESS AMBASSADOR

Hello and welcome! It is with great excitement that we are embarking on a great journey toward wellness. I encourage you to participate in all the activities our wellness program has to offer.

Our career requires a lot from us. At the end of the day, we can find ourselves drained emotionally and physically. Taking few minutes for ourselves every day is crucial to stay healthy. The wellness program in FCAAP is a great tool to do so since it gives us tips on how to improve our wellbeing. Please remember that you are making a difference in children’s lives. YOU matter!

I’m looking forward to a fantastic 2023 Wellness Program alongside you.

—Rana Alissa, MD, FAAP
FCAAP Wellness Ambassador

The wellness series was an awesome and amazing experience. I am excited to put the tools learned into practice in my personal as well as professional life. Each series gave new information and was very inviting. I hope this will continue as I definitely am able to benefit from the series.

Bernavette P.

The joint Florida and Michigan AAP chapter series on wellness was so heartening and fun. So nice to know our colleagues in other states are doing the same work we are and experiencing some of the same stresses. It was so much fun to just meet informally and to share information that was sometimes novel to our colleagues. Here’s to future collaborations!

Lia G.

The FCAAP Fall 2022 Wellness Series Strava Challenge was a wonderful opportunity to virtually participate in outdoor physical fitness along with my colleagues.

Lynn P.

FALL 2022 FCAAP WELLNESS SERIES

FCAAP’s popular Wellness Series returned in September with expert-led sessions designed to help health care providers improve their overall health and quality of life. Whether you are seeking a better work-life balance, effective ways to combat stress and burnout, or simply want to talk with colleagues who understand the issues you face, FCAAP’s Wellness Program has something for you.

The Fall Wellness Series focused on mental health, connectedness, physical well-being, and mindfulness, and ran through September. The program is available only to members of FCAAP and the Michigan Chapter of AAP.

FALL WELLNESS 2022 SESSIONS

Session 1: Provider Burnout
Presenter: Dr. Zakia Alavi
Thursday, September 8, 12 p.m. ET
Burnout is on the rise across the health care industry. While providers work in highly stressful environments and situations, stress management is not usually part of the medical education curriculum. Dr. Alavi will discuss preventive measures to combat stress and burnout, and the importance of showing the same care and kindness to ourselves as we do to our patients.

Session 2: Work-Family Life Balance
Co-Presenter Florida: Dr. Robin Warner
Co-Presenter Michigan: Dr. Lia Gaggino
Friday, September 16, 12:30 p.m. ET
Work-life balance is an inclusive approach to all the facets of life that give us the utmost satisfaction and leads to a feeling of fulfillment. Learning how to balance everything isn’t easy. While work-life balance may have a slightly different meaning for different people, there is common ground. Join Drs. Warner and Gaggino for this enjoyable and meaningful discussion.

Session 3: Connect with Nature: Spending Time Outdoors & Wellbeing
Presenter: Britney Moore, Assistant Bureau Chief, Florida Office of Greenways & Trails
Wednesday, September 21, 12:30 p.m. ET
Spending time in nature can offer a mental and emotional refuge when you need to unwind and recharge. Whether exploring a nearby park or one of Florida’s many diverse natural sites, spending time outside is beneficial to our wellness. Britney Moore, Assistant Bureau Chief, Florida Office of Greenways & Trails, will guide us in exploring how to get outdoors and incorporate nature into our everyday lives.

Session 4: Music Therapy & How It Helps
Presenter: Courtney Arndt, MT-BC
Tuesday, September 27, 12:30 p.m. ET
Can anyone try music therapy? Yes. Musical skills or talents are not required to participate. Humans have long appreciated the healing power of music. Join Courtney Arndt, Founder of Florida Music Therapy and Board-Certified Music Therapist, to learn how the practice can help and why it’s been proven effective in psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual, cognitive, and social areas.

 I really enjoyed participating in the Wellness Series, especially the Strava Challenge which was very motivating. The collaboration of the FCAAP with colleagues in Michigan was appreciated also.

Carroll B.

The FCAAP wellness series hit all the key topics. I could not attend most sessions in real time but enjoyed catching up with the recordings. I found the whole program very helpful for self care and will participate in the next series for sure!

Judith A.R.

The webinars were also very helpful in guiding us to reflect on what we feel, what we do, and suggesting other options for building awareness, resilience and practicing mindfulness as part of a daily routine.

Otto A.

Spring Wellness Series 2022

FCAAP and the Michigan AAP (MIAAP) want to thank everyone for their participation in the Spring Wellness Series. This five-week event covered a range of wellness topics specifically chosen for busy physicians. Featuring expert speakers, meditation classes, prizes, and even some surprises, the series offered something to cater to everyone’s individual health needs.

Visit the FCAAP members-only website for a link to videos of all the Spring 2022 Wellness sessions.

SPRING WELLNESS 2022 SESSIONS

Week 1: Physical Fitness and Health

Session 1: Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m. ET
Dr. Theresa Holtrop shared the importance of self-care at work, along with ways to start taking better care of yourself. Finding ways to replenish your well-being during work hours can improve your productivity and motivation.

Session 2: Wednesday, May 4, 12:30 p.m. ET
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Dr. José Zayas discussed the benefits of exercise and how you can incorporate it regularly into your schedule.

Week 2: Nutrition

Session: Monday, May 9, 6 p.m. ET
When you eat right, you’re more likely to feel right. Balanced nutrition is essential and affects how you’ll feel tonight, tomorrow, and into the future. Dr. Debora Duro presented on sustainable nutrition.

Week 3: Mental Health and Self Care

Session 1: Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. ET
During this session, led by Dr. Thresia Gambon, members from both the Florida and Michigan chapters shared the experiences and strategies they employ to overcome the challenges of stress and the inability to unplug.

Session 2: Friday, May 20, 12:30 p.m. ET
Having occasional feelings of anxiety is a normal part of life. Pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Jeanette Scheid explored different forms of anxiety and simple strategies to reduce or eliminate it.

Week 4: Mindfulness

Session 1: Monday, May 23, 12:15 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET
We have a personal and professional obligation to tend to our own wellbeing. We must pay attention to all aspects of our lives because neglect in one area affects our overall quality of life. Pediatric psychiatrist Dr. Sheila Marcus shared wellness strategies to help us become more proactive during our journeys.

Session 2: Wednesday, May 25, 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Dr. April Yuki led 30 minutes of guided meditation and relaxation.

Session 3: Thursday, May 26, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET
More guided meditation and relaxation with Dr. April Yuki.

Week 5: Coaching and Application

Session: Tuesday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. ET
Dr. Dianne Ansari-Winn, author of the book Doctor, Heal Thyself: A Guide for Physicians to Prevent Burnout and Promote Wellbeing, held an interactive workshop that focused on how members can apply the self-care tactics they learned throughout the month.

Walk the Path to Wellness Strava Challenge

Thank you to all the FCAAP members who participated in the Walk the Path to Wellness Challenge on Strava. Joining the FCAAP Strava club is free. Sign up today and stay tuned for another challenge coming soon!

Questions on the FCAAP Wellness Series?

Contact Anayra Barreras Pena, Membership Coordinator at 850-224-3939 ext. 1002.