In this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, I talk with Loretta Donovan, a coach, educator, and healthcare leader who brings wisdom from both her professional and personal experiences navigating illness. Together, we explore how curiosity can steady us in moments of fear, how language shapes our emotional responses to illness, and why mindset becomes an anchor when life feels unpredictable. Loretta’s insight is grounded, compassionate, and full of lived truth.

In this conversation, you will learn:
• How curiosity and inquiry-based thinking help us face overwhelming diagnoses
• What clinicians and patients both need in order to communicate compassionately
• How Loretta navigated breast cancer while supporting a daughter with metastatic disease
• Why mindset, language, and reframing change the emotional landscape of illness
• How to stay grounded and purposeful even when life feels unpredictable

About Loretta:
Loretta Donovan is the President of iAttain and a Professional Fellow with the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School. She is a former Chief Learning Officer in healthcare and an educator who has guided leaders and clinicians for more than a decade. As a patient, mother, caregiver, and lifelong learner, Loretta brings deep empathy and perspective to conversations about healing, mindset, and resilience.

Loretta’s Links:
🌐 iAttain: https://about.me/iAttain
🌐 Appreciative Inquiry Consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/48345/
🌐 ReInvive Coaching & Leadership: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13322073/