Keynote Talks & Transformational Workshops
Reconnect with Purpose, Passion, and Possibility
“I continue to hear nothing but rave reviews about your talk.“ - Dr. Tricia James, Director of Clinician Experience, Providence Health
Looking for an inspired, engaging, and impactful physician speaker?
Physician wellness leaders, well-being committees, and conference planners are being asked to address burnout, engagement, and sustainability in medicine while navigating the nuanced and complex nature of physician well-being.
It is challenging to find talks that feel meaningful rather than performative—especially for exhausted and depleted physicians who have heard many well-intended but misguided solutions.
Dr. Mahoney’s talks do not add to frustration or exhaustion. They do not include pie charts or burnout statistics. Instead, she speaks through the lens of kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. She offers invitations of “gold glue” and the possibility of putting things back together so they are more beautiful, stronger, more valuable, and more exquisite than before.
“I am still feeling the glow of empowerment that comes with having new frameworks to apply and skills to practice.
How Dr. Mahoney frames lessons hits home in a unique and powerful way.”
- Dr. Jennifer Guy, Transplant Hepatologist, Medical Director, Kranzusch Bosworth Endowed Chair in Transplant Innovation, California Pacific Medical Center
More Than Inspiration. A Catalyst for Change
For over two decades, Dr. Jessie Mahoney has delivered innovative, relatable, and hopeful talks that help physicians practice medicine with greater purpose, sustainability, and humanity—especially in times of profound system strain.
Her talks invite physicians to consider how they were culturally trained in medicine to think, behave, relate to their work, their responsibilities, each other, and themselves.
With awareness comes agency.
Physicians regain the choice of how they respond, lead, and practice medicine despite very real constraints.
Jessie helps audiences reconnect with their purpose, their passion, and the parts of themselves that get lost in the work.
They leave with language for what they have been carrying, practical tools they can use immediately, and a renewed sense of what is possible.
“Dr. Mahoney does a wonderful job of striking the balance of acknowledging the failure of the healthcare system while also inviting that we still have agency and can find meaning.
She is extremely personable and relatable. She has a remarkable ease in her presentation that makes it easy to engage with.
I particularly loved her invitation to reflect on our "specialty" of unhelpful mindsets and the possibility of engaging in “the school of unlearning.” I have continued to gain awareness of how these mindsets show up every day for me and my colleagues, which is the first step to shifting.
I look forward to our next inevitable connection. “
- Dr. Tricia James, Medical Director of Wellness, Providence Portland Medical Center
Trusted by Healthcare Organizations—and Invited Back
Jessie has spoken at more than 25 healthcare conferences, leadership gatherings, grand rounds, and women-in-medicine events, representing more than 20 healthcare organizations, specialty groups, and academic institutions.
Much of her speaking work comes through referral and repeat invitation. She has been invited back by Providence Health, UCSF, TPMG/Kaiser, Sutter Health, Humana, Dignity Health, and the American College of Cardiology. Within Sutter Health, she is a regular speaker—at regional and leadership gatherings, at Sutter East Bay, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Sutter Lakeside, and California Pacific Medical Center.
Conference planners and leaders return to Jessie because her work is memorable, deeply human, immediately useful, and relevant long after the event.
“What you shared about the thought habits that we get trapped in and the practical ways to avoid those traps was so meaningful. It will not be the last time we invite you to speak for sure!”
- Dr. Christina Lasich, Chief Medical Executive, Sutter Lakeside
Grounded in Experience
Jessie brings deep credibility to this work — as both a physician and a leader.
She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.
She was one of the first physician wellness leaders in the country, pioneering this work more than a decade before a chief wellness officer was a recognized role and physician coaching was recognized as an intervention.
She brings wisdom, lived experience, and relatability. She practiced clinically in primary care and hospital medicine. She served as both an operational leader, a wellness leader, and an educator.
She lived the pressures her audiences navigate, and she speaks from that reality with humility, clarity, and compassion.
She has coached more than 1,000 physicians and physician leaders across all specialties in the United States and Canada, and she works with healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and professional conferences nationwide.
“Your talk was fabulous and hit exactly the right cord.” - Dr. Jennifer Guy, Women in Transplant Program, Sutter Health
Speaking Options
Dr. Mahoney’s talks are honest, engaging, science-informed conversations about the hidden lessons of medical training: the habits of thought and identity that make us exceptional clinicians, but also leave us over-responsible, depleted, and disconnected from ourselves, each other, and our patients.
She is a trusted speaker for physician wellness conferences, medical specialty meetings, women in medicine and women’s empowerment events, grand rounds, leadership programs, and any healthcare organization seeking to develop a more human and sustainable culture.
Every keynote, workshop, and retreat Dr. Mahoney offers is designed to create an immediate shift. Through her School of Unlearning framework, Jessie helps physicians and healthcare leaders reconnect with purpose, passion, and agency.
Audiences leave feeling seen, hopeful, and with a sense of belonging and clarity into how they practice, lead, and shape culture. Even better, they are equipped with practical tools they can begin to implement immediately.
Transformational Keynotes
Powerful, uplifting, and perspective-shifting interactive experiences for conferences, grand rounds, summits, and larger gatherings.
Interactive Workshops
Insight becomes personal, practical, and immediately implementable in these 45–90-minute facilitated experiences. Participants apply the work directly to their own lives and practices. Through reflection, conversation, and immediately useful tools, groups explore how to shift reactivity, ask better questions, lead with intention, and bring more of their authentic selves to their work and communities. These can follow a keynote at a conference or be a stand-alone offering.
Half-Day Workshops
A two-session program designed for department retreats, specialty societies, women in medicine, and leadership groups looking for a deeper experience, meaningful conversation, and lasting connections. Participants have time to name what is true, recognize the patterns that no longer serve them, and consider how they want to practice, lead, and care for themselves moving forward.
Full-Day Retreats and Multiday Sessions
These immersive experiences create the conditions for real change. Honest reflection, practical skill-building, connection, and a shared vision for a more humane and sustainable culture. Programs can be adapted for women in medicine, leadership, and team audiences.
Trusted by physicians, leaders, and health systems nationwide
-
“Dr. Mahoney brings the complete package to any wellness event. She is a dynamic leader, innovative teacher, engaging facilitator, and inspirational speaker whom I hold in the highest regard.” — Dr. John Chuck, Chief of Regional Physician Wellness, The Permanente Medical Group
-
“I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Mahoney several times. I highly recommend her to any group seeking a speaker who brings authenticity and compassion to the wellness work for healthcare professionals. She brings a level of expertise and relatability to her presentations and workshops that is highly respected and appreciated by physicians.
-Emily Swann, Director of Clinical Education, Providence Health
-
“It’s evidence-based, thought-provoking, and necessary to practice in the economic and political environment of healthcare.” - Dr. Traci Harris, CMO, Hospitalist, Jefferson Healthcare
-
“Jessie has a gift, and I am so grateful she chose to share it. It is my mission to help my colleagues who are struggling, as I was before I found her, by spreading the word about her everywhere I can. ”
— Dr. Shilpa Marwaha, Chief Infectious Disease, Assistant Physician in Chief, Medical Specialties, The Permanente Medical Group/Kaiser
Details & Planning
Every program and talk I offer is unique and personalized for your group.
The first step is to email me to inquire about availability on your date. I receive numerous requests - confirming a date early is always advisable.
Then please schedule a time to chat on Zoom about your event and specific needs.
My speaking and facilitating fees are:
Keynote Talks (75-90 minutes): $12,500 plus travel
Half-Day Workshops: $15,000 depending on format, location, and number of participants
Full Day Workshops: $17,500+ depending on topic, location, and number of participants
“Dr. Mahoney’s focus on physicians, their unique pressures, and how they are magnified in current-day practice was poignant. I was at attention and riveted during the presentation.”
- Dr. Dominick Curatola, Medical Director, El Camino Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute
Frequently Asked Questions About Speaking & Workshops
-
Dr. Mahoney speaks on physician well-being, purpose and passion in medicine, sustainable leadership, culture change, physician identity and conditioning, mindfulness and nervous system science, and The School of Unlearning.
Her signature keynotes help healthcare professionals reconnect with what matters most, understand the patterns that can pull them away from themselves and their work, and create meaningful change in how they practice and lead.
-
Keynote talks (75–90 minutes), half-day workshops, and full-day workshops. Talks can be delivered in-person or virtually. Workshops are interactive and designed for smaller groups. Each program is personalized for your audience.
-
Dr. Mahoney is a trusted physician wellness speaker, but her work reaches well beyond wellness. She helps people reconnect with purpose, passion, leadership, and the possibility of meaningful change in medicine.
Drawing on more than 20 years as a physician and leader, and her experience coaching more than 1,000 physicians and leaders, she offers practical, evidence-based tools alongside the kind of honest, human conversation people remember. Her work is frequently recommended by colleagues and leads to repeat invitations from healthcare organizations and conferences.
-
Keynote talks (75–90 min) start at $12,500 plus travel.
Half-day workshops start at $15,000. Full-day workshops start at $17,500. Pricing depends on format, location, and audience size.
-
Dr. Mahoney receives many speaking requests. Confirming a date early is always advisable — especially for spring and fall, which are the busiest seasons for medical conferences and wellness events. The first step is to inquire about availability on your preferred date.
-
Yes — and this is often the most impactful approach. A keynote can serve as an introduction that opens the door to a deeper engagement, such as a follow-up virtual coaching series or an immersive team retreat. Many institutions start with a talk and return for ongoing programming. Explore coaching programs. Explore retreats
-
Medical and specialty conferences, grand rounds, wellness and leadership forums, women in medicine events, departmental retreats and off-sites, and healthcare organizations focused on engagement and retention. The talks resonate across career stages and specialties and work well for audiences ranging from residents to CMOs.
-
“Dr. Mahoney is a warm and kind human who is absolutely delightful to work with.” - Director of Clinical Education & Clinical Operations, Providence Health, Oregon
-
“Powerful, inspirational, and transformative!!! Jessie Mahoney is nothing but phenomenal, wise, bright, and fun.” - Dr. Michelle Biehl, Cleveland Clinic
-
“Thank you for your incredible dedication to wellness and helping our doctors find meaning and purpose in their work.” — Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and Executive Director, The Permanente Medical Group
-
"Thank you so much for leading us through such a wonderful journey of heart healing! The ladies from the Sandra J. Lewis Mid-Career Women's Leadership Institute are still raving about it and putting into practice what they learned! - Olivia Kranz, American College of Cardiology
-
“Don’t underestimate the potential positive practical impact of this experience on improving all aspects of your team’s life. I encourage all physicians and all teams to invest in this.” — Chair, Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
If you are looking to offer a talk that is genuinely different, something that helps physicians and healthcare leaders reconnect with meaning and agency in the midst of modern medicine, reach out.
Selected Recent Speaking Engagements
UCSF Department of General Internal Medicine Annual Retreat, 2025
Sutter East Bay Leadership Forum, 2025 & 2026
ACOG District V & VI Leadership Meeting, 2025
Providence Health Wellness Summit, 2024 & 2025
Jefferson Healthcare, Medical Staff Symposium, 2023
California Pacific Medical Center, Women in Medicine & Women in Transplant, 2023 & 2026
TPMG San Rafael Medical Staff Dinner, 2022
University of New Mexico Grand Rounds, 2024
Coalition for Physician Well-Being, Joy and Wholeness Summit, 2023
UCSF Alumni Weekend, 2022
TPMG National Women Physicians’ Day Celebration, 2022
Women of Dartmouth Global Summit 2022
Sutter Lakeside Leadership, 2025
TEDx Greenhouse Road, 2025
American College of Cardiology Mid-Career Women in Leadership Program, 2025 & 2027
Sutter Health Inaugural Women’s Health Symposium, 2026
Holiday Seminars, Aspen Anesthesia, 2025
Women in Neurology Conference, 2025
American and International Conferences for Physician Health, 2018, 2021
El Camino Health Grand Rounds, 2024
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group Wellness Retreat, 2026
The Permanente Medical Group Physician Wellness Conferences, 2014-2020
TPMG Total Performance Improvement Plan Program, 2018-2019
Tufts Medical Group, 2021
Redwood Sequoia Hospital, Dignity Health, 2026
American Medical Women’s Association, 2026
Humana, 2026
“Jessie is a fabulous facilitator. She is truly a deep, wise, curious, brilliant teacher.” - Dr. Laura Eberhard, Assistant Physician in Chief, Hospital Operations, Chief Critical Care, The Permanente Medical Group
"The School of Unlearning”
A Transformational Keynote for Reconnecting with Purpose, Passion, and Possibility in Medicine
As physicians, we take an oath to do no harm—but we’re rarely taught how to extend that principle to ourselves. Medical training instills thought patterns that help us endure the journey, yet these same patterns can make it harder to build sustainable, fulfilling, and healthy careers. They contribute to the ongoing stress and distress of working within a broken system.
Dr. Mahoney’s talk is a must-hear for medical professionals at conferences, leadership forums, scientific meetings, grand rounds, and wellness summits. Her message resonates with everyone in healthcare, offering an insightful, solutions-focused perspective on well-being and career longevity.
With warmth, wisdom, and relatability, Dr. Mahoney shares essential strategies for navigating today’s medical landscape. Her engaging, lighthearted approach makes complex challenges feel more manageable, leaving audiences feeling inspired, hopeful, and empowered.
Attendees walk away with:
An understanding of the physician mindset so they can move forward with clarity and more ease
An actionable framework for change
A toolbox of science-based, easy-to-implement strategies to optimize mindset and physiology
Renewed energy, clarity, and joy for navigating their careers with buoyancy, compassion, and lightness
Leadership Development and Women in Medicine Workshops
The leadership tools I was taught in medical school, in chief school, and even at my Ivy League college were designed for a different era.
Effective leadership in healthcare today requires much more: presence, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, clarity, courage, and the capacity to stay connected to people in high-pressure environments.
Jessie’s workshops are especially meaningful for women physicians and women leaders who are ready to question the expectations that have made them successful while also making their work—and their lives—harder than they need to be.
This is not about lowering the bar or setting boundaries. It is about leading with more intention, purpose, creativity, and humanity.
“It’s been one of THE most impactful things anyone has shared with me, in my life .” - Dr. Nina Agarwal
What Would Love Do?
The Most Powerful Question We Are Not Asking
We are taught that “good” decisions are rooted in logic—pros and cons, data, predicted outcomes—and that we should leave emotion out of it. This approach often leaves us feeling depleted, resentful, and disconnected from ourselves, our patients, and what matters most.
In her TEDx talk, Dr. Jessie Mahoney introduces love-based decision-making—a practical, values-driven approach that incorporates care for self, others, and the greater world into every decision. This isn’t sentimentality; it’s a profoundly clarifying framework that prevents burnout, reduces over-responsibility and regret, and fosters authentic connection. One simple question—What would love do?— transforms, reduces regret, preserves energy, and deepens relationships
Drawing on over 25 years in medicine, 17 years as a leader in one of the nation’s largest medical groups, and her lived experience in a 32-year neurodiverse marriage, Dr. Mahoney shares her simple science-backed, immediately usable decision-making practice.