Heart Health & Stroke

BRUNO CORTIS, MD Author of Heart & Soul: A Psychological and Spiritual Guide to Preventing and Healing Heart Disease. A practicing cardiologist for over thirty years, Dr. Cortis speaks inspiringly and entertainingly to lay audiences, and informs physicians, nurses and hospital administrators on the importance of spirituality in medicine.

MIRABAI HOLLAND, MFA Mirabai Holland is much more than the "best aerobics teacher in New York City" (New York Magazine) and the Director of Fitness & Wellness Programs at the famous 92nd Street Y in New York City. She has acted as a fitness consultant to hospitals, national health organizations, television programs on health, newspapers, and magazines—including her column "Fitbeat" in New Body Magazine. Her Moving Free™ approach to exercise is designed to provide a preventive and rehabilitative movement experience that is so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. Mirabai designed the women's heart exercise protocol for Lenox Hill Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II Program in New York City. In addition to being a respected authority and public health activist, she is an energetic and engaging speaker.

CANDACE HOWERTON, MSW "Speaking From the Heart" Candace Howerton worked in the entertainment industry for thirty years as a successful actress, write and producer. In 1992, Candace had a massive stroke which rendered her helpless without the ability to speak, walk or use her right hand without a lot of therapy. Today, as a Board Member of the Stroke Association of Southern California and founder of support groups for survivors, she brings her considerable talent and humor to entertaining, motivational speeches that empower listeners to experience challenging, interesting and productive lives.

JACKIE MAYER Jacquelyn Mayer Townsend earned the title of Miss America in 1963. For a year, she traveled the country and gave speeches. Just six years later, now married with two children, Jackie had a stroke. A healthy and strong woman, she woke up one morning unable to speak or move. After the hard work of her own recovery, and now a rehab consultant for her local hospital, Jackie says "I believe that God had a plan for me— to get better and then to go out and help other people, not only stroke survivors, but anyone that I could touch." Jackie has won numerous awards for her work, and is a founding board member of the National Stroke Association.

NIK NIKAM, MD Dr. Nikam is a cardiologist who has been healing peoples’ hearts for over twenty years in Texas. Trained both in India and the United States, he has made keen observations about "mind-body health, people, life, liberty from illness, and pursuit of happiness" which he shares in his book Stressless Mind & Priceless Body. A community leader, Distinguished Toastmaster, and humorous, warm speaker with a positive attitude, Dr. Nikam's speech will delight your audience.

DEAN ORNISH, MD Dr. Dean Ornish is the popular author of the New York Times bestsellers Eat More, Weigh Less; Stress, Diet & Your Heart; Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease; Everyday Cooking with Dr. Dean Ornish; and Love & Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy. A clinical professor, Dr. Ornish headed the study that showed how a combination of simple stress reduction techniques and changes in diet could produce dramatic improvements for coronary heart disease sufferers.