2008 Testimonials -- General

Cleveland Clinic/Organizational Learning and Performance
"Managing Stress and Change through Team Creativity and Humor"
Luncheon Keynote for 60 allied health professionals

Date: 4/23/2008
From: DOLGANC@ccf.org
To: StressDoc@aol.com

Dear Mark,

Thank you for speaking to our Organizational Learning and Performance team on the topic of stress and change.  We sure have had a busy year and this session was just what the doctor ordered.  It was the right amount of mix of practical information and humor.  So many came up to me afterward and made a comment on how good it was to have you there.  We are all trainers, so it is nice to be able to sit back and have someone else be on stage. Plus, you were a very good role model for interactive skills.  I look forward to having you at other engagements and will highly recommend your work to others.  Best Wishes,

Colleen Dolgan, Sr. Director
Organizational Learning and Performance, Cleveland Clinic
________________
 

Howard Community College
Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development

Subject: Testimonial
Date: 1/13/2009
From: JHawkins@howardcc.edu

Mark Gorkin, the “Stress Doc”, did a presentation on “Practicing Safe Stress” for 50 staff members of the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Howard Community College in December of 2008.  Given the fact that budgets have been cut, everyone is being asked to do more with less, and the overall economic climate is bleak, this could have been a very depressing and stressful session.  Instead, Mark found a way to energize the group and helped them focus on positive strategies.  This is a group of professional trainers who can be critical but their evaluations were extremely favorable.  Not only did we learn ways to lessen our stress, we had fun doing it.  It was an excellent, interactive, productive staff development.

JoAnn D. Hawkins
Associate Vice President
Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development
Howard Community College

410--772-4974
FAX:  410--772-4496
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VCU School of Dentistry
["Managing Transitional Stress and Building Team Cooperation through Humor" Closing Presentation for 100 staff and faculty]

Dec 18, 2008

Hi Mark,  

Thank you for your exuberant presentation on Monday during our staff development day for the VCU School of Dentistry on December 15, 2008.  Your ability to engage everyone and make it fun was remarkable.  We have received so many positive comments and feedback from the attendees.  Our goals for the future are much clearer now as we continue to build a new culture and go from good to great!

My very best to you in your future endeavors; you have an enormous amount of energy and optimism that many organizations will benefit from.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Nancy Smith
Executive Assistant
VCU School of Dentistry
Office of the Executive Associate Dean
521 N. 11th Street, P.O. Box 980566
Richmond, Virginia 23298

(804) 828-7978
(804) 828-4913 (FAX)
nbsmith@vcu.edu
--------------------

Louisiana CPA Society/Government Accounting and
Auditing Annual Conference [Keynote/Luncheon Speaker for 200]

Dec 20, 2008

Hi Mark:
 
I am writing to tell you how much everyone appreciated and enjoyed your Keynote Presentation during the luncheon at the Louisiana Government Accounting and Auditing Conference.
 
CPAs can be a tough audience.  However, your message was beneficial and a hit on several levels.  Not only did you impart to the 200 CPAs in attendance valuable tips on how to practice "safe stress," but you also provided useful pointers on improving interpersonal relationships at home and work.
 
Your talk produced pendulum type swings in the audience mood ranging from - listening intently for your valuable information to rollicking laughter at your clever witticisms that drove home your point.    
 
Tony
 
Anthony J. Stoltz, CPA
[CPA Society Board Member]
3008 20th Street, Suite J
Metairie, LA 70002
504.831.3416
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Bureau of Indian Affairs
Office of Human Capital Management/Center for Jobs Compensation and Design

[2.5 hour "Stress, Team Building and Humor" Offsite at National Indian Programs Training Center, Albuquerque, NM]

Nov 24, 2008

Mark Gorkin’s presentation provided a fun interaction with the group of over-worked and stressed employees from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  His techniques helped identify the key stressors in the workplace and how to overcome stress.  His engaging in team discussion and the drawing exercise helped many recognize sources of stress in our daily work environment.  Even in the next’s day agenda, it was mentioned that there should be more motivational speakers/training like yesterday (meaning Mr. Gorkin’s presentation) to help others within the Bureau of Indian Affairs to identify stress factors.  Mr. Gorkin did a fabulous job.

Ronda Cook, Supervisor
Center for Jobs Compensation and Design (Classification)
Office of Human Capital Management
Bureau of Indian Affairs/Department of the Interior

Ronda.Cook@bia.gov
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MRA DORS Conference
["Transforming Change and Conflict into Passion Power" workshop for 40 participants]

Dec 18, 2008

Good afternoon Mark, Just wanted to let you know that the audience was thrilled with your presentation at our annual training conference in Ocean City.  Your presentations always generate a lot of energy and enthusiasm and spark and renew a sense of “I can do that” around the water cooler.  We look forward to having you again at future conferences and workshops.  Thanks for a great workshop!!

Melissa C. Pemberton,M.A.Ed.,CRC
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Staff Specialist, Human Resource Development
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21218

mpemberton@dors.state.md.us
phone:410-554-9381
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40Plus Career Transition Center of Greater Washington, DC
[Managing Transitional Stress, Loss and Conflict with Wit and Wisdom]

October 16, 2008

Mark - thank you for taking your time to speak to us as part of the Monday Morning Speaker Series at 40Plus of Greater Washington. I anticipated the wit and humor but was not expecting how thoughtful and profound your advice was. You have a way with words that was very compelling and encouraging for our membership. I received many comments afterwards in appreciation of your message. In several talks now at 40Plus you have helped many people improve their lives, and we appreciate your long-term friendship. Thank you! David Powell, for 40Plus.  
 
David Powell
Conservation/Natural History Research
1425 17th Street, N.W. # 701
Washington, D.C. 20036

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15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry, Ft. Hood, TX
[Stress, Change and Team-Building Program for 40 Officers and Spouses]

From: Phelps, Lawrence COL MIL USA FORSCOM
To: StressDoc@aol.com
Sent: Mon, 28 Jul 2008
Subject: Thanks Mark!

Mark:

What a great program you engineered at our Command Offsite!  It could not have been better if we had orchestrated it!  Your session on managing change and stress was the perfect lead-in to the work we had to accomplish throughout the conference.  It set the conditions for the free, uninhibited work (regardless of rank) that we needed.  Our “drawing” exercise was absolutely enlightening.  I cannot tell you how valuable it was to me as the “CEO” to see these products and see how the differing sections and commands worked together.  The spouses loved the briefing and the interaction just as much as the uniformed members did. 

Here’s the BLUF: Your session was the critical building block on which we built the rest of the conference. 

My sincere thanks.  Job well done.

COL Phelps

COL Larry Phelps
Commander, 15th SB
------------------

 Continuing Care Retirement Community
[Two Half Day Managing Stress and Building Team Cooperation through Humor" Programs]

Subject: Testimonial
Date: 10/30/2008

Dear Mark,
 
    Thank you very much for offering your stress and burnout presentation at our Continuing Care Retirement Community.  Our staff and related network of professionals from hospices, skilled nursing facilities and medical offices truly enjoyed the funny and poignant offerings as you taught them how to "Practice Safe Stress."
    I was so glad to be able to arrange this with you again after offering your seminar several years ago.  Your personality won over the crowd both times, and I know that they are all looking forward to their next "Stress Checkup" with the Stress Doc.  Thanks again, and I'll be in touch!
 
Warm regards,
 
Dan Heaman
Director of Marketing
Meridian Village Senior Community
--------------------------------

["Managing Stress and Change through Team Creativity and Humor"
Luncheon Keynote for 60 allied health professionals]

Date: 4/23/2008
From: DOLGANC@ccf.org
To: StressDoc@aol.com

Dear Mark,

Thank you for speaking to our Organizational Learning and Performance team on the topic of stress and change.  We sure have had a busy year and this session was just what the doctor ordered.  It was the right amount of mix of practical information and humor.  So many came up to me afterward and made a comment on how good it was to have you there.  We are all trainers, so it is nice to be able to sit back and have someone else be on stage. Plus, you were a very good role model for interactive skills.  I look forward to having you at other engagements and will highly recommend your work to others.  Best Wishes,

Colleen Dolgan, Sr. Director
Organizational Learning and Performance, Cleveland Clinic
CCAC Building 1 |  25875 Science Park Drive, mail code AC132
| Beachwood, Ohio 44122

The City of Gaithersburg's Humans Services Division
Two-Hour Stress, Humor & Team Building Retreat Workshop

Subject:  Thank You
Date:  4/24/2008

Greetings Beth & Company, Mark, Shirley, and Alyssa. I echo Crystal's sentiments; I was so moved by the retreat experience. For me this was a very spiritual experience and I truly believe that the seeds that were planted will manifest in our efforts to serve the vulnerable population that we are charged to serve.

Mark, you are just too much; I love you man. We need you in the real world. You are certainly gifted. I call your act the four "T"s:  Terrific, Turbulent, Tidy, and Top (of the line).
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Montgomery County, MD/Parks and Planning/Meadowbrook Facility [Three-Part Managing Stress & Conflict and Team Building Series}

To: StressDoc@aol.com
Sent: 3/24/2008
Subj: RE: Mark Gorkin Assessment of Meadowbrook Workshop Series

Thanks for the great work, Mark.  I regret missing the last session, but I was previously committed to participate on an interview panel.  I will ask John for a copy of the list of issues and will meet with Gene to discuss additional follow-up and other work sites.  We will be in touch.

Thanks again,

Judy

Human Resources Director
Parks and Planning
-------------------

March 23, 2008

University of Maryland Inter-Sorority Event
[Two-Hour Stress and Time Management Program]

Dear Mark,

I wanted to thank you again for bringing such enthusiasm and a wealth of information to the University of Maryland!  I was able to tell that all of the 85 people in attendance thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on stress and time management.  The information presented was full of facts and encouragement that every busy college student needs to hear!

You received many compliments and a strong sense of appreciation from each and every member of the audience, and many of the Delta Gammas either went to the gym or went home to take a nap afterwards, and all said that they owed it to your "knocking some sense into them" about de-stressing!  Many noticed that you were incredibly engaging and made a strong effort to involve each audience member, which is something that we definitely do not see in large lecture halls during class.

We hope that you will come back to the University of Maryland at some point in time and "wow" us with yet another humorous and informative appearance.  I will continue to highly recommend you to other areas of campus and we hope to see you again!

Best Wishes,
Carly Smith
Vice President Member Education
Beta Sigma Chapter, Delta Gamma
University of Maryland, College Park

Accounting Administrators Association -- Florida Chapter
[Two-hour "Stress, Team Building & Humor" Program]

Subject: 1/18, follow up
Date: 1/20/2008
To:StressDoc@aol.com

Hi Mark,

Fabulous session on Friday!  Thank you for coming down to Florida to present to us. The exercises were fun – I guess all of us feel the same pressures in our roles as administrators.

Thanks again for an informative fabulous session! My only wish was that more AAAer’s could have made it!

Take care, Linda

Linda Long
Office Administrator
Bollenback & Forret, P.A.
Certified Public Accountants and Consultants
1000 Pinellas Street  Clearwater, FL 33756-3433

------------------------

McPhillips Roberts & Deans PLC
[Stress and Team Building workshop for entire accounting firm, including partners; 60 attendees]

Date: 1/18/2008
To:StressDoc@aol.com

Hi there,

Thanks again for a great presentation!  Our team enjoyed it immensely and I have heard nothing but positive comments about it!  One partner even asked me how I planned to top this next year?  I believe that is a great testimony to the presentation!  As promised, the contact for The Rainmaker Academy are Glenn Hunter and Scott Bradbury. 

Have a nice weekend.

Karen J. Parks

McPhillips Roberts & Deans PLC
Town Point Center
150 Boush Street
Suite 1100
Norfolk VA  23510
-----------------

D.C. Water and Sewer Authority
[Half-day workshop on "Excelling as a Highly Effective Team Leader"]

FYI - Great job Mark!

Subject: Course Material Copy Request
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008

Good afternoon Mr. Hughes,

I am pleased to inform you that the course, "Excelling as a Highly Effective Team Leader," went extremely well!  We received a lot of positive feedback.  Can you please send me a copy of the course material, hard copy or PDF is fine.  Thanks!

Regards,

Karen Brown
HR Representative
Training & Development Branch
Department of Human Resources
D.C. Water and Sewer Authority

-------------------

County of Sonoma, CA
Half-Day Educational Event for 130 County Govt. HR, Training and General Managers

Subject: County of Sonoma testimonial
Date: 1/8/2008 
To: StressDoc@aol.com

Hey, Mark:

"The Stress Doc," Mark Gorkin, did an excellent four-hour session for 130 of our managers. He was able to customize his presentation to our needs as managers in county government. His sense of humor and expertise in the area of stress management made an effective combination that left the attendees with tools that even now, months later, they are still using. Doing a presentation that has meaning and longevity in four-hours is a tall order but The Stress Doc pulled it off.

Cheers,

Tom
Tom Richardson, Training Manager
Human Resources
County of Sonoma