Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, hosted the second annual Celebration of Temple Health Women on Monday, October 14. Launched in 2023 at the anniversary of Dr. Goldberg’s first year as the school’s inaugural woman dean, the event honors the impact of women across departments and at every level within Temple’s academic medical community. Building on last year’s theme, “The Value of Inspiration,” this year’s program expanded with a new focus: “The Power of Wellness.” In her opening remarks, Dr. Goldberg highlighted the theme’s purpose, explaining that it’s as much about caring for oneself as it is about caring for patients and each other. “Our focus today,” she said, “is investing in and caring for ourselves. The word ‘care’ is a powerful word. It is what drives us every day… but how often do we stop to turn that care inward? Because it is critical. You can’t do your best for the work if you don’t care for yourself.” 

This year’s celebration welcomed a broader range of attendees and voices. Dr. Goldberg underscored her commitment to honoring every woman who makes Temple Health what it is—from nurses, physicians, and students to colleagues in administrative support, environmental services, and IT. She shared her daily inspiration from seeing Temple women in action and dedicated the day to “celebrating the women who make Temple great,” noting that, “we need and must take the time to acknowledge the women who do what it takes for Temple.” 

To introduce the theme, Dr. Goldberg referenced Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “man in the arena” speech, adapting it as “the woman in the arena.” “It is not the critic who counts,” she said. “The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred… who strives valiantly.” Her remarks set the tone for a day of learning and reflection, celebrating the courage, resilience, and resolve that women bring to the field of healthcare. 

Session 1: Resilience Counts 

Dr. Goldberg opened the first session with a powerful message on resilience as the backbone of healthcare work. Acknowledging that resilience is about finding strength and purpose even after setbacks, she connected this theme to the daily challenges faced by Temple Health’s women. “The journey is the same for all of us,” she reflected, “finding a way to celebrate our successes and knowing we must get back up when we’ve been knocked down.” 

The speakers for this session brought a mix of backgrounds, each with a unique take on resilience as it applied to their lives and roles within Temple. From experienced wellness mentors to medical professionals at different career stages, these voices provided a full view of what resilience looks like in action. Each speaker shared how they have learned to persevere through personal and professional hurdles, showing how resilience is not just an individual journey but a shared experience that connects the entire Temple Health community. 

• Nicole Meline, Wellness Mentor and Coach: Meline shared her perspective on resilience as a foundational human trait, something our bodies are naturally wired to achieve. “We are made to return to our strongest state,” she said, discussing how resilience is supported by self-care, emotional processing, and a dedication to personal wellness.  

• Indira Kwaadu, Associate Director, Medical Services, Temple University Hospital: Kwaadu shared how resilience was modeled for her by strong women in her life, and how that legacy helped her overcome obstacles on her journey to becoming a nurse. “Resilience is finding strength within yourself and supporting others to rise,” she said.  

• Jeena Mistry, MD, Resident in Internal Medicine: Dr. Mistry credited her mentors, friends, and colleagues with helping her overcome challenges on her path to becoming a physician. “If you fall seven times, stand up eight,” she said. 

• Najya Williams, Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine: Williams shared her journey to medicine, inspired by her mother’s resilience and strength. “In your hardest and darkest moments…you have all of the power you need dwelling inside of you,” she encouraged.  

Session 2: Health Impacts 

In introducing the theme of the health impacts of focusing on wellness, and the toll it takes when that focus is missing, Dr. Goldberg spoke candidly about the need for healthcare providers to care for themselves with as much commitment as they give to their patients. “How can we bring our best to a mission of caring for others if we don’t prioritize caring for ourselves?” she asked. With rising pressures in healthcare, she emphasized that wellness is essential—not just for individual well-being but for sustaining the compassion and dedication needed to fulfill Temple’s mission. 

For this session, speakers included mental health advocates, social workers, and Temple Health professionals who offered diverse insights into the impacts of self-care. Their stories ranged from personal journeys in mental health to reflections on the strength found in supportive communities. Together, they highlighted wellness practices that can help healthcare providers manage the unique demands of their field and emphasized the profound benefits of a supportive work environment in sustaining health and well-being. 

• Due Quach, MBA, Mental Health Advocate and Author: Quach introduced concepts from her book Calm Clarity to explain how caring for one’s mental health creates a ripple effect for all aspects of life. “To lead a life of impact, you must first cultivate wellness within yourself,” she emphasized.  

• Amira Mustafa, Social Worker, Temple University Hospital: Mustafa shared how personal wellness and a commitment to recovery transformed her life and career. “You never know what challenges others are facing,” she reminded attendees, highlighting the importance of empathy.  

• Christine Bloom, AVP, Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center: Bloom spoke about the strength she gained from the support system around her as she coped with the loss of her son. “I hope we all give and receive kindness freely,” she shared.  

• Kelly Whartnaby, Registered Nurse, PACU: Whartnaby highlighted her focus on personal wellness while balancing family responsibilities. “It takes a village,” she said, crediting her ability to manage stress to a network of family and colleagues.  

Session 3: Empowerment Matters 

As she introduced the final session, Dr. Goldberg shared how empowerment has shaped her own journey, especially in overcoming barriers in a male-dominated field. “I knew I held that power,” she said, underscoring that empowerment allows individuals to make a lasting impact. Her words set the stage for a session dedicated to helping Temple Health’s women embrace their own agency and feel confident in their contributions to the healthcare community. 

The speakers in this session were diverse leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates who understand empowerment from different perspectives. They brought stories of taking risks, advocating for themselves, and making bold career shifts, each providing a unique lens on what it means to be empowered in the healthcare field. Their insights offered practical encouragement and reminded attendees of the ripple effect that comes when women support one another in their professional and personal lives. 

• Danielle Finkelstein, CEO and Co-Founder, Unicorn in Every Stall: Finkelstein shared her journey of transitioning out of a long-standing career to build a new company focused on supporting women’s wellness. “You were invited to the room for a reason, and you belong there,” she said, encouraging attendees to embrace new opportunities with confidence.  

• Yalonda Fowler, Registered Nurse, Temple University Hospital: Fowler’s story of advocating for her own care during pregnancy reminded attendees of the importance of self-advocacy. “It’s crucial to keep speaking up, even when others try to silence you,” she said. 

Throughout the day, the stories and reflections shared emphasized the remarkable impact that women at every level have on Temple Health. Their resilience, dedication, and commitment to wellness strengthen not only the institution but also the broader community they serve. This celebration reaffirmed that supporting and empowering these women is essential to the success of Temple’s mission. “We will keep this going into the future because the heart of why we are all here is so important,” Dr. Goldberg emphasized, highlighting the shared commitment to honor and uplift the women who drive Temple Health forward every day.