Baltimore, MD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us about yourself:

Originally from Richmond, VA, I now live in Baltimore, MD, with my husband, our daughters Emma (11) and Megan (9) and our Portuguese Water Dog, Dune. I am a cardiologist with Maryland Cardiovascular Specialists, a group of 13 doctors employed by Saint Agnes, a community hospital in Baltimore. I enjoy seeing patients in my office, connecting with them individually, and helping them learn about heart disease and how to prevent or manage it.

I am also Medical Director of the Saint Agnes Women’s Heart Center. We offer screening programs, community outreach and education about women and heart disease, the number one killer of women in this country. I am passionate about increasing awareness about heart disease in women, and letting them know that there is so much they can do to prevent heart attacks.

Why did you become a RTA-Certified Facilitator?

I first became familiar with Renee Trudeau’s work while taking an online course based on The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal, led by Renee with Jen Lemen of Hopeful World Publishing. Since then, I have been fortunate to attend 2 of Renee’s self-renewal retreats at Kripalu, as well as participating in 2 of her telecourses. The more I delved into the concepts of self-care, the more I became aware of its importance to our overall health, and the more I felt called to become a PRG facilitator.

I intend to do this work on a personal and a professional level. I feel called to facilitate a PRG for physicians, as we spend so much of our time and energy caring for others; my PRG will help fellow doctors connect, share, and replenish our energy. I also would like to facilitate a local PRG for any and all who are interested – mothers and women at all life stages who are looking to connect around self-care and life balance. Ultimately, I also intend to offer Personal Renewal Groups for women with or at risk for heart disease through our Women’s Heart Center – I am convinced that self-care will be protective against heart disease development or progression. As one of my missions is to empower women to decrease their own risk of heart disease through healthy lifestyle measures, I believe that helping them develop the tools of self-care will only increase the likelihood of their success.

How has this work changed or affected you?

What comes to mind when I think of this question is, “Physician, heal thyself!” The PRG work gives me the tools to do just that! Before learning of Renee’s definition of self-care with its four components: physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental, I would have said self-care meant just the physical aspect. Now I feel I have resources to renew myself in so many different ways, so that I have more energy to give to others, especially my family, friends, and patients. The PRG work gives me hope that burnout is not inevitable for me as a physician, and I am so excited to share this work with other women so that they can benefit as well.

What are your favorite self-care activities?

My favorite self-care activities include getting massages, spending plenty of time outside in nature, exercising regularly, and meditating for at least a few minutes a day.

How can people contact you or learn about your groups/retreats?

Please contact me at shannonwinakur@me.com to sign up for one of my Personal Renewal Groups!

 

You can meet other facilitators around the globe here. If you’d like to learn more about empowering women in your community, growing your small business and joining our international community of RTA-Certified PRG Facilitators, click here, call 512/459-6700 or email us.