Medicine Wasn’t Built to Support Physicians—
We’re Here to Change That.
Hi, I’m Coral. I’m not a physician—but I’ve spent years coaching them.
I founded root & rise strategies because I’ve seen firsthand how the system—the long hours, the impossible expectations, the silent burdens—takes a toll on the people who make medicine work.
When my husband, Jonathan, became a father while in grueling fellowship training, I saw how medicine demanded everything from him—his time, his energy, his mental and physical well-being. I saw the guilt of missing moments with our newborn. I saw the sleep deprivation, the burnout, the impossible balancing act between a career in medicine and life outside of it.
And I knew he wasn’t alone.
Over the years, I’ve worked with physicians across hospitals, specialties, and career stages. They all tell a version of the same story—
Feeling like they’re never doing enough—at work or at home
Pushing through exhaustion and burnout because they “should” be able to handle it
Navigating leadership roles without training on how to actually lead
Strategizing career decisions without knowing how they fit into their life and family vision
Medicine is built on the expectation that physicians sacrifice themselves for the job. But that system isn’t sustainable.
We believe there’s another way.
Who We Are & What We Do
At root & rise strategies, we help physicians and medical departments build sustainable, fulfilling careers—without burnout, guilt, or impossible trade-offs.
We’re evidence-based performance coaches and facilitators who specialize in helping physicians and medical leaders thrive in complex environments.
✔ 1:1 coaching for physicians navigating burnout, career transitions, and leadership roles
✔ Leadership training & systemic strategy for medical departments
✔ Speaking & thought leadership on physician well-being and retention
We’re here because physicians deserve better.
Because medicine doesn’t work without the people who power it.
Because thriving doctors create stronger teams, better patient outcomes, and a more sustainable future for healthcare.
The Team Behind root & rise: Experts in Physician Well-Being & Systemic Change
Meet the dedicated professionals driving sustainable change in physician leadership and well-being.
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Founder & Lead Coach
Coral Edwards is the founder of root & rise strategies, an ICF-certified performance coach, speaker, and facilitator dedicated to helping physicians and medical leaders build sustainable, fulfilling careers—without burnout.
With years of experience coaching physicians, medical department leaders, and high-achieving professionals, Coral specializes in evidence-based coaching, leadership development, and systemic change. She founded root & rise strategies after witnessing firsthand how medicine’s relentless demands impact physician well-being, career fulfillment, and work-life integration.
Coral’s approach is practical, data-informed, and deeply human. She partners with physicians to navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, and the emotional toll of medicine—while working with medical institutions to create real, systemic change. Her work has helped physicians across multiple hospitals reclaim their time, define their career paths, and step into leadership with confidence.
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Operations & Client Experience Manager
Lawson Brandon keeps root & rise strategies running seamlessly, ensuring smooth operations, client communication, and program coordination. With a background in early childhood and special education from Northcentral University and the College of Charleston, she brings exceptional attention to detail, project management skills, and a deep commitment to service.
Recognized for her excellence in leadership and communication, Lawson plays a key role in delivering a seamless experience for physicians, medical departments, and leadership teams.
Our Values
root & rise strategies is built on a foundation of evidence-based coaching, systemic change, and physician-centered solutions. These core values guide everything we do:
⬥ Physician Well-Being is a Leadership Priority
Well-being isn’t an individual problem—it’s a systemic issue that requires real leadership and institutional change.
⬥ Sustainable Careers, Not Just Survival
We don’t just teach resilience—we help physicians build careers that fit their lives, not the other way around.
⬥ Evidence-Backed, Experience-Driven
Our coaching and leadership training are rooted in research, informed by real-world physician challenges, and built for impact.
⬥ Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility in Medicine
The systems that fail physicians fail women, parents, and marginalized communities first. We advocate for inclusive, equitable approaches to physician leadership and well-being.
⬥ Practical, Actionable, and Impact-Driven Whether through coaching, training, or systemic interventions, we focus on tangible, objective results, not just conversations.
Our Vision & Mission
We believe in a healthcare system where physicians thrive—not just survive.
Where leadership prioritizes physician well-being, where retention strategies are proactive, and where the culture of medicine supports the people at its core.
root & rise strategies empowers physicians and medical departments through evidence-based coaching, leadership development, and systemic change.
We help physicians prevent burnout, navigate career transitions, and build fulfilling careers, while partnering with healthcare institutions to create workplaces where physicians can truly thrive.
