Episode 19: In this episode of Jackson Health System’s On Call, Off Script, we sit down with Dr. Vanessa Padilla, a clinical psychiatrist at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Commissioner René Garcia, chairman of Miami-Dade County’s Behavioral Health Advisory Board, and Michelle Kligman, Psy.D., MBA, MS, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Jackson Health System, for an honest conversation about burnout, mental health, and workplace wellness. The episode explores what burnout really looks like — from emotional exhaustion and irritability, to disengagement and fatigue — and why it affects everyone, from healthcare workers and first responders to office employees and leaders. They discuss the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, breaking the stigma around mental health, and creating supportive environments where people feel safe asking for help. The guests also shared personal stories about anxiety, grief, leadership vulnerability, and the importance of community, boundaries, therapy, physical activity, and self-care. Plus, we share tangible advice for recognizing burnout early and taking meaningful steps toward healing and balance. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or mentally exhausted, this conversation is for you. Guest Bios: Michelle Kligman, Psy.D, MBA, MS: Michelle Kligman is the executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Jackson Health System. In her current role, she has strategic oversight for human resources functions across the entire organization. Throughout her tenure at Jackson, Kligman has driven multiple strategic initiatives, including improving employee engagement and patient experience, redesigning compensation and benefits for all employees, and launching enterprise-wide labor management and leadership development. Kligman brings more than 15 years of human resources experience to her current role at Jackson. She holds a degree from Florida International University, a Master’s of Science degree in Organizational Development, and a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a post-doctorate degree from Columbia University and an executive master’s in business administration specialization in healthcare policy and administration from the University of Miami. Vanessa Padilla: Dr. Vanessa L. Padilla, M.D., F.A.P.A., is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, recognized for her clinical leadership, academic contributions, and dedication to medical education and patient care. Dr. Padilla completed her medical training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, where she earned her M.D. degree in 2008. She went on to complete her psychiatry residency at the same institution in 2012, and pursued advanced subspecialty training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Miami / Jackson Health System in 2013. Dr. Padilla currently serves as the Psychiatry Residency Program Director at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, where she leads one of the region’s major ACGME-accredited psychiatry training programs based at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In addition to her program leadership, Dr. Padilla is the medical director of the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she provides psychiatric assessment and care within complex medical settings and collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams across the medical hospital. She is double board-certified in Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Her work encompasses clinical education, mentorship, research, and direct patient care with diverse adult populations. Commissioner René Garcia: Commissioner René Garcia is a product of Northwest Dade. He was born and raised in the City of Hialeah. Commissioner Garcia’s passion for serving his community began more than 20 years ago as a Councilman in the City of Hialeah. As a State Representative, and then as a State Senator, René focused on helping those most in need. Giving a voice to the voiceless has always been René’s number one priority. He advocated for comprehensive reforms to our mental health laws, sponsored legislation to end surprise medical bills after any hospitalization, promoted the importance of expanding health care services for children through the Florida KidCare program, and has been a staunch advocate for the seniors in our community. First elected in 2020 as County Commissioner for District 13 and then re-elected in 2024, Commissioner Garcia truly believes in the importance of balancing the economic progress and growth of a community with the social needs of its people while working together to address the pressing issues of the community such as workforce housing, the environment, our crumbling infrastructure and safety in our communities, using a pragmatic approach to leave this community a better place for our children. Commissioner Garcia was appointed Chairman of the Recreation and Tourism Committee and Vice Chairman of the Safety and Health Committee. He also serves on the Transportation Committee.
