OMED 2021 keynote speakers include a DO wellness expert, an Olympic gold medalist and a renowned brain researcher

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, psychiatrist Mona Masood, DO, recognized the extraordinary stress physicians were under and founded the Physician Support Line, a free, confidential peer-to-peer hotline for all physicians.

At first, Dr. Masood and her team gathered about 250 volunteer psychiatrists to answer calls in shifts beginning on March 30, 2020, which also happens to be National Doctors’ Day.

Today, more than 800 volunteers help physicians in need. Physicians can reach the support line at (888) 409-0141.

An American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology board certified general outpatient psychiatrist, Dr. Masood is also a board member of the Muslim Wellness Foundation, an American nonprofit mental health awareness and education organization, and often leads community mental health education events where she practices in the Philadelphia area.

On Oct. 22, Dr. Masood will speak to the osteopathic medical profession as a keynote speaker at OMED 2021, a virtual conference which takes place Oct. 22-24. Dr. Masood will discuss the creation of the physician support line, how and why it was constructed, who volunteers and the program’s successes.

Two additional keynote speakers will also be addressing attendees at OMED 2021: Four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie and renowned brain researcher and author John Medina, PhD. Their details are below.

An inspiring Olympian and former basketball player

Lisa Leslie is the most recognized player of both the WNBA and Team USA. She carried the gold-winning Team USA in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. With the 2008 gold medal, she became the first team sport athlete to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals.

In 2001, Leslie was the first WNBA player to win the regular-season MVP, the All-Star Game MVP, and the playoff MVP in the same season and is the first woman to slam-dunk in a professional game. Leslie was inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Off the court, Leslie published a book, “Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You,” in 2008, and in 2010, she became the first WNBA player turned co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks.

In 2012, she both earned her MBA and launched the Lisa Leslie Basketball & Leadership Academy.

On Oct. 23 at OMED 2021, Leslie will speak to DOs about her life experiences, including being a dominate WNBA player, becoming a co-owner of a WNBA team and launching her leadership academy.

A renowned researcher who makes brain science fun

John Medina, PhD, is an author and developmental molecular microbiologist who has studied and written about the genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. He is the author of the book “Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School.”

The book explains how the brain works in 12 perspectives: exercise, survival, wiring, attention, short-term memory, long-term memory, sleep, stress, multisensory perception, vision, gender and exploration.

Besides becoming a New York Times bestseller in 2009, the book received critical acclaim from USA Today, ABC News and the New York Post, among others.

Dr. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine and founding director of the Talaris Research Institute in Seattle. He has the rare gift of making brain science fun and accessible.

On Oct. 22 at OMED 2021, Dr. Medina will speak to DOs about attention and multitasking.

A life coach who helps people unlock their full potential

Simon T. Bailey is the leader of the SPARK Movement, which aims to ignite sustainable transformation in people, systems and nations. He has been named one of the top 25 people who will help you reach your business and life goals by SUCCESS magazine. Tune in to the Oct. 24 OMED general session to hear Bailey discuss how to create a culture where everyone matters.

DOs who supported world-class athletes at the Tokyo Olympics

Also on Oct. 24, three DOs will share their experiences working with Olympic athletes over the summer at the Tokyo Olympics. The keynote panel discussion will include:

• James M. Lally, DO, chief medical officer for the International Shooting Sports Foundation
• Alexandra Myers, DO, team physician for USA Rugby
• Naresh Rao, DO, team physician for the USA Water Polo men’s team