Stories of Care, Connection, and Growth

Hear from people who have experienced Dr. Kalina’s care and the strength of learning and growing in community. This page may include approved written testimonials, video stories, and photographs from Better Together gatherings.

Our Video Testimonials

What Attendees and Colleagues Say

It is a pleasure to offer thoughts on my former associate, Dr Mark Kalina. We worked closely together on the Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease and also to create a Multi-disciplinary team to develop ‘Mind-Body Health’ programs for Scripps Clinic, in La Jolla, CA in the late 1990’s including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction MBSR) by Jon Kabat Zinn

As directors & facilitators of these highly successful programs our focus was to develop new and better programs to serve as the basis for a variety of lifestyle changes to support the medical system in helping people change, heal and grow

The components for all the programs included; healthy eating, exercise, meditation and yoga, and group support.

These 2 programs have become the standards for Wellness and Disease Reversal Programs in America and world-wide

As Medical Director, Dr Kalina provided medical assessments and was a highly effective and compassionate Group Facilitator as well as team leader. His understanding of the mind-body-spirit challenges of ‘Lifestyle Change’ provided an invaluable quality to the success of the program participants. He opened hearts and minds in ways that were truly awe-inspiring and transformative in my strong and humble opinion

I highly recommend Dr Kalina and his unique and powerful way of being for anyone who wishes to break on through to the other side in their lives and expand their possibilities and potential

Betty Christensen

Program Director Scripps Wellness and Prevention Programs, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and The Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease at Scripps Clinic (1994-2005)

I am pleased to recommend Dr. Mark Kalina as a highly competent and caring physician and human being. Although my work with Mark has primarily been in group settings, those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for his authenticity, clinical insight, and special ability to connect with patients.
Mark quickly establishes a sense of trust and safety. He listens with genuine compassion, readily allays patients’ fears, and helps them become more receptive to his message—one grounded in love, hope, and the belief that meaningful healing is possible. His clinical approach is thoughtful and integrative, reflecting an understanding of the whole person rather than simply the conventional treatment of disease.
In group settings, Mark has a particular gift for making each participant feel seen and supported. He communicates medical concepts in an accessible and reassuring way while encouraging patients to take realistic, positive steps toward better health. His warmth, optimism, and lack of judgment create an environment in which people feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Mark brings both humanity and wisdom to medicine. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside him and recommend him without hesitation.
Sincerely,

Brian Asbill, MD

Board Certified Cardiologist

I am an MD in San Diego who met Dr. Kalina through my relationships with the integrative physicians at UCSD.
A while ago he asked me to speak at one of his weekly collective patient meetings that was attended by about 40 of his devoted patients. I was so impressed by the positive connections that these patients had with Dr. Kalina and amongst themselves, that I have personally continued to attend these meetings. Doctor Kalina has created an additional body, mind, and spirit healing opportunity for the people he cares for. It is truly impressive, truly an integrative and functional medicine care practice. This approach to patient care is what is sorely needed in these challenging times.

Dr. Paul Corey

Board Certified Anesthesiologist

I’ve been a physician for 38 years, and for the last 2 years, I’ve worked with Dr. Mark Kalina in his internal medicine clinic.

I have attended his group counseling sessions as well.

Over my career, I’ve had 330,000 patient visits and have worked with hundreds of primary care physicians and specialists.

Unequivocally, Dr. Kalina’s personal attention to his patients is unmatched. There is not even a close second, including me or his colleagues!

Today, I endorse Dr. Mark’s group sessions as he guides us through medicine, procedures, and mental, physical, and spiritual health.How does this happen?

On average, 20 people attend each session. That represents about 1,200 years of combined human health experience and knowledge in one room.

Mark is an expert at guiding the sharing experience. Through this process, we all begin to understand ourselves on critically important levels, often gaining life-or-death insights!

There are no medications or procedural side effects. Mark often brings in other experts in nutrition, psychology, general medicine, philosophy, hospice care, insurance, and more.

There is a lot of human connection and education in the group, especially in a modern world that has become increasingly disconnected because of technology and AI.

The most genuine endorsement I can give is that I try not to miss a group session with Mark.

After 63 years of life, I still learn something there that helps me live better and helps me thrive!

Hope to see you there.

Dr. David LaRue

Board Certified Family Medicine

Urgent Care