Meet Our Coach & Consultant!

Dr. Cruz is a visionary physician-leader with experience in academic, FQHC, and private practice settings. He is a husband, father, coach, mentor, and process improvement nerd. Dr. Cruz has lived experience thriving in the face of adversity. He is dedicated to improving work-life balance and career opportunities for health care professionals.

Mario Cruz, MD, LSSCGB

My Coaching Values

I am contagiously optimistic. I believe in my clients. Optimism is what allows one to develop ambitious goals towards personal fulfillment and professional success.
We are truly partners in this effort. Together we’ll maintain a laser-like focus on your goals - and when your actions are inconsistent with those goals, I’ll hold you accountable!
Creativity allows you to think outside the box….It is key to becoming “unstuck”. Through our work together, we will identify and address the incorrect assumptions and negative self talk that limit creativity and keep you from seeing the big picture.
Bravery means taking action, even when you are afraid. It is the fear of risk (real and perceived) that paralyzes so many physicians; keeping them stuck in unfulfilling situations. Together, we’ll analyze and mitigate these risks, making it easier to be brave!
Resiliency is the ability to thrive in the face of adversity. These skills are necessary to a long and fulfilling career in medicine. Through our work together, we’ll re-build your resiliency skills, apply new habits, and adopt useful mantras. When the next challenge arrives, you’ll be ready!
You control so much more than you think…and also less than you think! Having a clear understanding of what is under your influence and what isn’t will give you the agency needed to thrive for the rest of your career.

Practicing, Board Certified Pediatrician (18 years)
- Training
  - Undergraduate - Union College (Psychology / Biology)
  - Medical School - Albany Medical College (MD)
  - Residency - St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children (Pediatrics)
  - Chief Residency - Jefferson Einstein Hospital Philadelphia
- Clinical Leadership
  - Medical Director (8 years).
  - Founding Medical Director for a pediatric FQHC Practice.
  - Experienced in turnaround, realignment, start up, and sustaining success phases.
  - Stabilized and expanded clinical operations through the COVID Pandemic.
  - Expertise in EMR optimization, workflow improvement and risk-mitigation.
  - Integrated behavioral health, dental, and SDOH screening into primary care settings.
- Educational Leadership
  - Clinical Associate Professor rank.
  - Associate Residency Program Director (3 years).
  - Site Clerkship / Rotation Director (6 years).
  - Mentor for dozens of scholarly activity, quality improvement & advocacy projects.
  - Experienced with the development and execution of performance improvement plans.
- Certifications
  - Healthcare Peer Coaching Practitioner (Physician Coaching Institute).
  - Lean Six Sigma, Green Belt (Jefferson / Moresteam).
  - Educational Scholarship (Academic Pediatric Association).
  - Centering Facilitation (Centering Healthcare Institute).
- Recognition & Awards
  - Recognized with mentoring, advocacy and teaching awards (Including the prestigious Golden Apple award).
- Publications and Scholarly Activity
  - Focus on mentorship, professional development, and advocacy.
  - Experienced with a range of educational formats: Grand rounds, platform presentations, workshop design, small group facilitation, poster presentation, visiting professor.