UMHS is proud to feature the inspirational John O’Leary as our keynote speaker at the UMHS Commencement Ceremony at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on Friday, June 10, 2016.
Mr. O’Leary, a bestselling author, will speak at UMHS Commencement for the second year in a row. There was such a positive response to Mr. O’Leary’s keynote last year that UMHS is bringing him back to speak to our graduates.
The UMHS Endeavour takes a short look at Mr. O’Leary and his amazing story, based on material provided by John O’Leary and his organization, Live Inspired.
John O'Leary's Story
In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a one percent chance to live. This epic story of survival was first showcased in his parents’ book, Overwhelming Odds, in 2006. Originally printing 200 copies for friends and family, his parents have sold more than 60,000 copies, most in back-of-room sales at John’s speaking events. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world.
John has grown his inspirational speaking business to reach an average of 50,000 people at more than 120 live events each year.
John speaks to companies and organizations across industries, such as: healthcare, sales, business, safety, marketing, financial services, education, insurance and faith.
Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” John receives 100% of his engagements from referrals. His schedule is a testament to the power of his message and who he is as an individual. His emotional story-telling, unexpected humor, and authenticity make each of his presentations truly transformational.
AUTHOR OF BESTSELLER: John O'Leary's book 'On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life' sold 40,000 copies in the first 6 weeks it was available. Photo: Wesley Law
John considers his greatest success his marriage to his wife Beth, their four children and his relationships with friends and family.
John has an online community of more than 75,000 and he is a contributing writer to publications such as The Huffington Post and Parade.com. His first book, On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, is out from Simon & Schuster. The book was an instant national bestseller, selling more than 40,000 copies in the first six weeks it was available.
O'Leary Column This Week in UMHS Endeavour
Watch for a column by John O’Leary reprinted from Parade magazine later this week in the UMHS Endeavour.
For more information, please visit http://johnolearyinspires.com/
(Top photo) AT ONE OF HIS MANY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: John O’Leary. Photo: Wesley Law
About UMHS:
Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencesfocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. UMHS is challenging everything you thought you knew about Caribbean medical schools.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
