The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc. 

Newly recruited to lead our fundraising efforts to support the mission of advancing oral health equity in Connecticut. I take a relational approach to development, building genuine connections with donors, partners, and community members.

Development Manager

Journaling for Growth

Chief Journaling Officer

CT Library Consortium

Community builder for librarians. First to fill the role of Events & Special Projects Manager for statewide membership collaborative serving ~1,000 Connecticut libraries. 

Known for my personal brand of magic - creating spaces where members felt safe to learn and grow, turning nebulous ideas into concrete programs and services, and planning and executing events so fun they didn't feel like work - I helped members of our community feel seen, heard, and valued, and provided opportunities for them to build skills to better serve their communities. 

Known for being an innovative thinker who imagines creative solutions to problems, often anticipating needs before they arose, I instigated moving our Roundtable program virtual in early 2020, teaching members to use Zoom and modeled how to run an effective meeting. (Librarians went on to use what they learned here to put on programs for their own communities.)

I partnered with the Connecticut Storytelling Center to launch a storytelling training workshop series for librarians. I conceptualized and executed three different vendor expo models, all of which were wildly successful. And I established a new Program Directory to connect libraries with performers and workshop providers. 

I led the national Take Your Child to the Library Day initiative, serving as project manager, growing the program in visibility through projects such as the creation of both community-centric and librarian-centric websites, speaking at the Public Library Association Conference in April 2024, and publishing an article in Public Libraries Magazine in Summer 2024. I partnered with EveryLibrary to create Advocacy Training webinar series to build capacity among children's librarians, and established State Ambassador program to build support and visibility nationwide. I partnered with Demco to create a line of promotional products for TYCLD 2025.

Events and Special Projects Manager

Northwest Village School

I was selected as the first certified library media specialist at this therapeutic day school for special education students ages 4-21.  

Tasked with creating our library media program, I transformed a humble bookroom into a vibrant library ecosystem welcoming and accessible to students of all ages and our teachers and support staff. 

I implemented a new library automation software system, replacing the traditional card catalog, revamped our entire collection of materials, assessing gaps for each section and curating age-appropriate resources, and established new collections of both print and digital resources. 

As the designer of library, information and research, and technology skills curricula that I delivered to students, I was part of our teaching team, delivering instruction to students, facilitating professional development for teachers and support staff, and collaborated with teachers on technology integration and co-teaching classes. 

I created safe and welcoming spaces for all of our students, differentiating instruction, employing de-escalation strategies as needed, and building strong relationships with our learners and instructors. 

I had the joy of surprising and delighting students and staff by instituting school literacy events including annual Read Across America celebrations, coordinated external speakers, and introduced graphic novel collection (our most popular and widely circulated school collection).

Library Media Specialist

Avon Free Public Library

As part of our children's services team, I had the amazing privilege of supporting children and families who came to the library.

While on desk, I assisted children and families with navigation of library materials, equipment and resources; provided readers’ advisory services, connecting readers with engaging materials.

I executed original programming for children including reader’s theater workshops, family thank you letter writing, and thematic creative programs connected to the Amazing Castle™ installation. 

I partnered with Teen Librarian on Book Buddies program pairing elementary school students with middle and high school students to foster reading skills.

And I brought my skills from my experience at Northwest Village School to tactfully manage challenging patrons (i.e. high energy and or poor in-library behavior) resulting in reduction of risk behaviors in the library.

Children's Library Specialist

Self-Employed

Family Sabbatical

Ketchum

At Ketchum (formerly Capital Strategies), I worked with associations such as the North Carolina Economic Developers' Association and NC Go! on events (meetings, conferences, legislative days), editing newsletters, and providing member support. I helped develop communications plans for organizations such as Junior League of Raleigh.

Project Coordinator

Journaling is one of the simplest, most beneficial habits you can use to create the life you want to live. 

And yet something is keeping you from it. 

Whether you’re completely new to journaling and don’t know where to start, you’ve journaled some but not found what works for you yet, or you’re a seasoned journaler looking for new ways to infuse your journaling with energy to get the results you want, I can help. 

✍️Why work with me?
If you were going to do it on your own, you would have by now. The information is out there. But you haven’t figured out how to make it work for you yet. And that’s okay. I love getting to help folks just like you create journaling practices that help you reach your goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. We start with you, what you want to achieve, and find simple, sustainable ways to make it happen. 

✍️How to work together
If you need:
🌱A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT, check out my curated journal prompt collections through my Substack newsletter. At just $8/month, you’ll receive a daily journal prompt designed to help you get to know and love yourself a little bit better AND solve the problem of not knowing what to write about. (journalingforgrowth.substack.com)

🍀MORE SUPPORT, we'll work together to create your bespoke journaling practice that aligns with your personal growth journey. It’s all about you and what you need to grow. And it starts with a conversation. (tidycal.com/amandastern/strategy-call)

✨ Beyond Journaling—Event Planning & Community Building
Along with my passion for journaling, I bring years of experience as a community builder, event planner, and facilitator. I thrive on creating spaces where people can show up as their true, authentic selves and have real conversations that spark connection, growth, and impact. Whether it’s a small gathering or a large-scale event, I specialize in curating experiences that foster meaningful connections and create positive change. If your organization or mission-driven nonprofit needs someone to plan and facilitate events or build a thriving community, let's talk about how we can make it happen.

✍️ About Me
I’ve been journaling since I was an angsty teenager, and it's my go-to tool for learning and growth. I've used it to uncover what I truly want, make plans to go after it, hold myself accountable, and celebrate success, all while creating a life I don’t want a vacation from. When I’m not journaling, you can find me with my nose in a book, puttering in my garden, laughing with my family, and trying to decide what to make for dinner again tonight.

Amanda Stern ✍️

ExhaleWithMe

Health and wellness coach for teens and their families

Professional speaker, professional development K-12

Sisters Of Charity Hospital

Private pediatric practice and Hospitalist work

Pediatrician

Pediatrician, Teen Health and Wellness coach, School Consultant and Professional Development for K-12, Keynote speaker

I left clinical pediatrics and have been researching and teaching the connections between mind and body medicine for over 15 years. My passion is teaching individuals (especially teens and their families) to look for the answers they are seeking INSIDE, where all the answers lie. 

I currently see individual clients, while half of my time is working with schools,  parent associations, and businesses helping them learn to self regulate and self soothe using their physiology and mindset. I support kids and parents in learning these skills for themselves and the natural progression of teaching it to their children by being the example. It’s a win-win. 

Miriam Mandel, MD

The placebo effect isn’t “all in your head.” It is a measurable neurobiological phenomenon that has been described for centuries and recognized in modern clinical research for decades.

Here are key insights worth knowing:

💊 Many investigational drugs fail in clinical trials not because they don’t work at all, but because they fail to outperform the placebo effect — which continues to grow stronger in certain therapeutic areas.

💊 Belief and expectation influence physiology. Positive expectation can enhance treatment response (placebo), while fear or doubt can diminish it or even create worsening symptoms (nocebo).

💊 The enthusiam, trust and compassion of the  prescribing doctor matters. A lot.This is not “soft science” — it is neuroscience.

💊 Context matters — right down to elements like pill color, preparation, and the way a treatment is introduced.

Thoughts and emotions trigger real biochemical cascades.
Fear and threat activate stress physiology; safety, support, and hope promote neurochemical states associated with healing.

One striking example: in Parkinson’s disease, placebo responses have been shown to activate dopamine pathways and improve motor symptoms in controlled studies.

Even sham surgeries — when ethically and rigorously studied — have demonstrated clinically meaningful outcomes in specific conditions, forcing us to confront how expectation, ritual, and neurobiology intertwine.

The placebo effect isn’t a nuisance.
It’s a window into the power of the brain-body connection — and an underutilized therapeutic tool when harnessed ethically and intentionally.

Imagine what healthcare could look like if we embraced this knowledge instead of sidelining it.

Let’s pay attention to what the science is telling us — and empower patients by honoring the role of mindset, trust, and relationship in healing.

#placeboisreal
#education
#parenting
#pediatrics

Pediatrician, Adolescent Health and Success Coach, School Consultant and Professional Development for K-12, Keynote speaker Website: Exhalewithme.com

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🧠 So starting with the body to reach the mind...can be very effective.

Some kids find it much easier to talk about their physical health rather than their emotional well-being.

It’s often a way of exploring the same topics—just without the perceived vulnerability.

Everyone has “aches and pains,” and no one judges them for it. But when those aches and pains are internal, kids often feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about them.

Starting with the body can be a gentle bridge. It’s an 
opening to teach kids about the power of their mind—and opens the door to explore how deeply connected the body and mind truly are.-and the incredible power their thoughts have on their mind and body.

I actually learned this by accident during COVID, when parents began calling me because their kids were experiencing strange physical symptoms—headaches, heart racing, irritability, brain fog, and uneasiness. These kids were going through withdrawal, but at the time, no one realized it. (They were having school virtually and were not able to get their vapes, or weed, at school) Talking about the physical symptoms opened the door to conversations about what was really happening underneath.

Physical symptoms of depression, anxiety, addiction, or OCD can be an incredible bridge—helping kids understand their emotions through something tangible: the body.

It matters HOW the quesions are asked and in a setting of trust, respect and compassion we can get to the heart ❤️ of the issues much faster and more comfortably!

Has anyone else had success with this type of approach? 

#teenmentalhealth
#pediatrics
#parenting
#adolescenthealth
#addiction

Love is anabolic.

It is a catalyst for growth.

It releases endorphins from the brain, which relieves pain, reduces stress, and increases your sense of well-being. 

Love has an anabolic effect on physical growth and development.

At the turn of the century, data showed that infants were susceptible to infection after birth and contact with any adult (including both parents) was limited to diaper changing and bottle feeding.

These babies were dying at an alarming rate, and many showed signs of what we now call FTT or failure to thrive.

Luckily, the nurses figured out that when these infants were touched and held and comforted, they grew!

The current research shows that having a dog can add ten years to your life. WOW! Having a dog to care for, pet, and love can add TEN years. 

I believe it!!❤️

It is NOT just receiving love that helps restore our cells and improves our mental state...it is GIVING love as well.

How will you show love today?

#parenting #education #pediatrics #teenmentalhealth

I don’t repost a lot but this one really caught my attention. 

We need to do better by our kids. 

Maybe I’m old-fashion and still think it takes a village? But this post points out something that many don’t see. 

It’s hard to look at….I agree,  but just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. 

It’s hidden in plain sight.

We are in the middle of our Prevent 22 Campaign for Substance Use Prevention Month!! 

Help us reach our goal…your $22 dollars will help more students receive our program!! 

https://lnkd.in/ei7m_mdM

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Miriam Mandel, MD

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Miriam Mandel, MD

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