It has become clear that mental health services are inadequate for our nation. One in five people who need mental health care cannot get it—and mental illness contributes significantly to patient non-compliance and increased co-morbidity and mortality from other illnesses. Now the Covid-19 pandemic has presented numerous new challenges for our country. Between lockdowns, restrictions and virtual schooling and work, we have lacked the human interaction and physical activity that helped keep us mentally and emotionally healthy. There is a real need for government institutions, non-profit organizations, education-based organizations and companies to step up and provide mental health services. The physical and mental health challenges of the last few years cannot be forgotten. We must commit to strengthening everyone’s, including our youth’s physical and mental health—and only by working together can we move forward toward a healthier America.

“The essence of leadership is being responsible for the destiny of others.” This powerful belief, gained while leading troops into combat in Vietnam, is the cornerstone of Dr. Richard Carmona’s highly successful approach to leadership. In this inspiring presentation, he shares poignant examples of leading change in multiple disciplines and vastly different organizations. He tells you what it takes to transform cultures, disrupt mindsets, shift directions and achieve results. He also examines the essential elements of successful leadership: integrity, stewardship, mentorship, empowerment of workforce, and above all, selfless service. His memorable stories and instructive examples are universally applicable to any profession, industry or level of leadership. Your audience will leave motivated to lead by inspiration and positively transform their organizations— often, one person at a time.

One’s health and access to proper healthcare, seemingly indispensable rights, have unfortunately become privileges awarded to the few based on zip code, income and health literacy. During his time as Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona worked rigorously to combat the inequities that pervade the public health sphere. Dr. Carmona offers sobering statistics, as well as personal experiences, to illustrate the severe disparity between social groups’ access to health care. His words prove that while this is a challenging problem to remedy, it is one that must be tackled as a society at large to preserve peoples’ health, lives, and natural rights not just as citizens, but as human beings.

Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona’s remarkable rise from poverty to prominence has defied the odds and inspired thousands. Born to a poor Hispanic immigrant family in New York City, he “ran the streets” of Harlem and lived in and out of homelessness and hunger while his mother struggled with substance abuse. By 17, he was a high school dropout on this way to becoming another grim statistic when he joined the U.S. Army. In this highly motivational presentation, Dr. Carmona talks about overcoming life’s obstacles and staying focused on achieving your dreams. He shares his path from homeless street kid to combat decorated Special Forces veteran, college graduate and top graduate of his medical school class. He also connects the life lessons leaned on this odds-defying journey to his extraordinary, multi-discipline career. With passion and optimism, Dr. Carmona challenges audiences to believe in themselves, reach for their highest goals, and achieve their true potential.

Drawing from his groundbreaking Canyon Ranch book, Dr. Carmona shares practical ways to optimize brain function to improve productivity, decrease stress and maintain (and enhance) cognitive ability. By matching the latest behavior and neuroscience to specific audience interest, Dr. Carmona connects brain health to topics ranging from slowing Alzheimer’s to reducing employee health care costs. Citing the healthy lifestyle choices of active centenarians, he connects sleep, nutrition, stress, exercise, meditation and mindfulness to long term brain health. He also shows how just 30 days of lifestyle changes can yield short-term benefits such as sharper thinking, more energy, better memory, heightened attention span, safer driving and being more alert and attentive at work.

Preventable diseases are rapidly escalating—as are the economic costs associated with them. In this insightful presentation, Dr. Carmona calls for an innovative new business model. Government will provide an infrastructure, but citizens must become active participants in rejecting unhealthy behaviors and pursuing optimal health and wellness. In the future, there will be more practice “substitution”, such as home care, remote monitoring, telemedicine, and personalized medicine (to include pharmacogenomics). There will also be shorter hospital stays and an increase in quality life expectancy— but these benefits will come at a cost. In this insightful keynote, Dr. Richard Carmona help to define the path forward.

The Affordable Care Act is an admirable attempt at providing basic care for all. However, it is important to separate the good elements from the problematic. Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona contends that it is time for our nation’s leaders to stop politicizing healthcare and deliver a product to our citizens that improves the system and adds value to their lives. Dr. Carmona believes that Congress should be held accountable for breaching their fiduciary responsibility and placing the public at risk. He also poses a reasonable path forward for the Affordable Care Act and our healthcare system.

Preventable diseases are rapidly escalating—as are the economic costs associated with them. In this insightful presentation, Dr. Carmona calls for an innovative new business model. Government will provide an infrastructure, but citizens must become active participants in rejecting unhealthy behaviors and pursuing optimal health and wellness. In the future, there will be more practice “substitution”, such as home care, remote monitoring, telemedicine, and personalized medicine (to include pharmacogenomics). There will also be shorter hospital stays and an increase in quality life expectancy— but these benefits will come at a cost. In this insightful keynote, Dr. Richard Carmona help to define the path forward.

As a police officer in Arizona, Dr. Carmona has worked in and around the U.S. border for decades. In this timely presentation, he shares insights formed at the intersection of health, law enforcement, homeland security, federal policy and the current debates surrounding immigration.

Bringing his experiences as a former Special Operations soldier, trauma surgeon, police officer and SWAT team leader, Dr. Carmona has published widely in the area of “all hazards” preparedness and serves on Departments of Defense and Homeland Security work groups. He is an internationally recognized expert on both the tactics for, and provision of, medical care during catastrophic incidents. Sharing lessons learned from bombings, national disasters and studying response models from around the world, Dr. Carmona tailors his talk to audience interest and provides essential information for preparedness in an increasingly dangerous world.

As a combat decorated and disabled Vietnam veteran, Dr. Carmona has spent his life advocating for those who serve, especially in the area of access to healthcare and mental healthcare. Currently serving on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs’ MyVA Advisory program to improve services, Dr. Carmona is a passionate voice for veterans and military families and speaks to multiple issues affecting them.