
Special thank you to Sunshine Health, our exclusive 2025 Wellness Series Partner
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 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.
Spring 2025 FCAAP Wellness Series
There is no more waiting! Registration for the Spring 2025 FCAAP Wellness Series is open. The series premiers on May 2. This five-week event covers a range of wellness topics specifically chosen for busy pediatric clinicians. Featuring expert speakers, a challenge, and prizes, the series offers something to cater to everyone’s individual health needs. Speakers for the series include Debora Duro, MD, MS; Danulka Vargas-Torres, MD, FAAP, Mukta Panda, MD, MACP FRCP-London & Krista Gonzales, MD, DABOM.
“Taking care of yourself is the most powerful way to begin to take care of others.” – Bryant McGill.
Register now to receive calendar invites & updates!
Week 1
Promoting Health Through Culinary Medicine: The Mediterranean Diet
Friday, May 2 at 12:30 pm ET
Part of self-care is to dedicate time to improving our lifestyle and nutrition. Dr. Debora Duro will educate participants on the pivotal role of a diet higher in vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and whole grain cereals in preventing and combating prevalent diseases. Culinary medicine offers tremendous opportunity to educate about health-promoting dietary patterns that sustain behavior change.
Week 2
Disconnect to Reconnect: Digital Detox for Pediatric Providers
Thursday, May 8, at 12:30 pm ET
Dr. Danulka Vargas will discuss practical tools for both pediatric providers and parents to implement their own digital detox, fostering a healthier balance by disconnecting from social media and screen overload. Additionally, participants will explore the effects of digital overuse and consider evidence-based strategies to help guide families in setting healthy technology boundaries.
Week 3
Beyond Burnout: Real-Time Strategies to Recharge, Restore, and Renew
Thursday, May 15 at 12:30 pm ET
During this session, Dr. Mukta Panda will provide attendees with an opportunity to reflect on what is important to live and work. Participants will converse about how empathy, compassion, and self-care are needed to create a community and thrive. This discussion will be based on Dr. Panda’s book, In Resilient Threads: Weaving Joy and Meaning into Well-Being.
Week 4
Pediatric Pedestrians Walk Challenge
Monday, May 19 – Sunday, May 25
Challenge participants are encouraged to walk briskly, 30 minutes per day, several days during this week. Log daily activities on Strava App through the FCAAP Strava Club. The emphasis of this challenge is on peer support and fellowship. Everyone is invited! Click I’m In for this exciting club event.
Week 5
From Burnout to Renewal: Redefining Career and Parenting in Medicine
Thursday, May 29 at 12:30 pm ET
As an obesity medicine expert and mom of two under five, Dr. Krista Gonzales will share how surviving burnout through conscious parenting, setting boundaries, and embracing her worth led her to redefine her own medical career. This talk offers practical strategies to help medical professionals achieve career longevity while maintaining their own well-being and fulfillment.
FCAAP Wellness Book Club
The FCAAP Wellness Book Club comprises an ever-growing group of fellow FCAAP Members and special guests who meet virtually regularly to discuss thought-provoking wellness books. The books are selected from a bank of curated club member suggestions. Join the group to enjoy a relaxed, friendly, and enriching atmosphere. Complimentary for all. Join the FCAAP Wellness Book Club here.
FCAAP Strava Club
FCAAP’s popular Strava Club is a supportive network of FCAAP Athletes that caters to all fitness levels and types. It focuses on community and support, not competition. The FCAAP Strava Club provides participants the opportunity to share tips, track fitness activities, participate in regular fitness challenges, and share their wins. Not an FCAAP Athlete? Join the FCAAP Strava Club here. It’s free!
FCAAP THRIVE TEAM AMBASSADORS
The FCAAP Wellness Program is privileged to count on six outstanding Ambassadors who promote program awareness, actively participate in event planning, and represent the Chapter during wellness-related events.

Dr. Rana Alissa
President

Dr. Lorena Frontado

Dr. Fatma Levent

Dr. Jose Zayas

Dr. Deanice Cruz

Dr. Danulka Vargas

Dr. Chelsea Torres
We coordinate outstanding opportunities for everyone to interact with peers and engage in healthy behaviors. To date, all components of the program are included with your membership. Thank you for your patronage of the FCAAP Wellness Program. Let’s keep this momentum going!
Enthusiastically,
FCAAP THRIVE Team Ambassadors
Fall 2024 Wellness Series
The Fall 2024 FCAAP Wellness Series was designed to promote healthy lifestyles among pediatric providers and included a boot camp session dedicated to residents and medical students. FCAAP Athletes enjoyed a week full of beautiful sunrises while doing yoga. Your support meant more than words can express. Thank you.
FALL WELLNESS 2024 SESSIONS
Fall 2024 Wellness Series
FCAAP Wellness Series was back for fall with expert-led sessions designed to support healthcare providers looking to improve their overall health and quality of life. Whether you are seeking a better balance in your personal and professional life, learn effective ways to prevent or cope with stress and burnout, or want to talk with colleagues who understand the issues you face, the FCAAP Wellness Series had something for you.
Week 1
Challenge: FCAAP Athletes Sun Salutation Yoga
Research suggests that yoga may help relieve stress while improving strength, balance, flexibility, and overall health. Your goal for this challenge will be to rise and shine every day for a short yoga practice. All fitness levels and types are welcome. A guide with yoga poses will be provided.
Week 2
Session: Talk Saves Lives
Join Jessica Toy from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) for an introduction to their suicide prevention education program that covers the scope of this leading cause of death, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it.
Week 3
Session: Prevention Of Burnout For Pediatric Health Professionals
During this session, Dr. Karen Martinez- Gonzalez, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Universidad de Puerto Rico, will discuss the causes, signs, and symptoms of burnout in pediatric health professionals. We will also provide concrete recommendations on how to prevent burnout.
Week 4
Session: Fall Bootcamp: The Ultimate Guide To Wellness For Medical Students & Residents
Balancing the demands of medical school or a residency program with self-care can feel overwhelming. Join Dr. S. Deanice Cruz FCAAP THRIVE Team Ambassador and Resident Member, for a table talk on how to incorporate healthy, help-seeking habits and tools around mental health and personal well-being to bring joy and fulfillment.
Login to the FCAAP Member Only Website to view the archived sessions from past years.