Marlena Fiol

A handsome physician. A devout Mennonite nurse. And an Argentinian activist. Welcome to CALLED... Against the backdrop of World War II, Nazi uprisings, political unrest in Argentina and Paraguay, and the scourge of leprosy left untreated, Dr. John and Clara Schmidt are called to a life of service in their fight against poverty, stigma, and social injustice. But at what cost? Based on true events that span six decades, CALLED is an uplifting and inspirational story of fearless adventure and heroism that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit persevering in the face of fear and rebellious subversion. Some have a story. They had a mission. CALLED is an expansive saga that brings to life the extraordinary contributions of two medical pioneers in the wilds of Paraguay. In their fierce determination to save floundering communities across the country, and to battle the stigma and shame of leprosy, John and Clara faced intractable opposition from many fronts: a medical community that rejected their unorthodox and revolutionary practices, governments that threatened imprisonment, and neighboring villagers who vowed to kill them. Their story provides a living example of fully embracing John's favorite scripture, "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8. Readers who enjoyed His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope will love CALLED.

An Incredible True Story About Family, Love and Forgiveness“This is one of the most moving and, ultimately, hopeful books I have ever read." —Jean M. Bartunek, PhD, professor of management and organization, Boston College and former president of the Academy of ManagementFinalist 2021 Eric Hoffer Award#1 New Release in Mennonite ChristianityAfter being publicly humiliated in front of her entire close-knit Mennonite community, Marlena Fiol didn't know how she would recover. Follow her journey from an abusive upbringing in Paraguay to escape, love, and loss in the United States and finally on to forgiveness and reconciliation.Discover a story of healing and personal transformation. Marlena's childhood was full of contradictions. Her father was both a heroic doctor for people with leprosy and an abusive parent. Her Mennonite missionary community was both a devoted tribe and a controlling society. And Marlena longed to both be accepted in Paraguay and escape to somewhere new. In Nothing Bad Between Us, follow Marlena's journey as she takes control of her life and learns to be her authentic self, scars and imperfections included.Uncover inner peace-and inner strength. Nothing Bad Between Us is a story of brokenness and eventual redemption that taps into our collective yearning for healing and forgiveness. As you read Marlena's story, you will:Learn how to forgive yourself and others without giving up your personal growth and self-confidenceDiscover that transformation and redemption often exist even in the most broken parts of who you areFind out how to stand in your power, knowing that vulnerability won't lead to your downfall, but to increasing courage, connection, and authenticityReaders of memoirs about family, self-healing, and the strength of a woman like The Glass Castle, Love Warrior, and Leaving the Witness will be captivated by Nothing Bad Between Us.

Separately Together provides an unconventional perspective on administrator-physician relations. The authors believe that the vital first steps in building collaboration among the conflicting groups are to pull them apart and to strengthen each group separately. Physicians and administrators should not have to sacrifice their distinctiveness to be part of the whole. The key is to develop "us and them" versus "us or them" thinking. This book describes a unique four-step process for moving from conflict to collaboration: 1. Creating mutual desire and readiness to change 2. Moving from destructive stereotyping to healthy debate 3. Enhancing each group's security about the unique value they contribute to the overall system 4. Committing to a joint purpose without sacrificing the separate strength and security of each group After the steps in each phase are explained, the authors discuss how to anticipate resistance to the process and move through roadblocks. Self-assessment tools are included that allow you to evaluate your progress, and recommended exercises help you to engage physicians and administrators in the process. C. Marlena Fiol, PhD, has over 30 years of experience in strategic management and organizational design. Dr. Fiol is a professor of strategy and health administration at the University of Colorado Denver and a principal with the Implementation Institute, a Denver-based consulting and training firm. Dr. Fiol has been a frequent speaker at international, national, and regional meetings. Edward J. O'Connor, PhD, is a professor of management and health administration at the University of Colorado Denver, a principal with the Implementation Institute, and a faculty member of the American College of Physician Executives. Previously he served on business and psychology faculties at the universities of Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas and at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. O'Connor has written more than 150 r