In this presentation, Shruti Dhapodkar, Director, San Mateo Department of Emergency Management, shares a powerful personal journey on harnessing creativity to manage stress and prevent burnout in high-pressure roles, like in the medical field. Through recounting intense experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, they reveal how engaging in creative activities—such as art, dance, doodling, and nature walks—helped build resilience and enhance decision-making. Grounded in scientific research, they highlight the benefits of creativity on neuroplasticity and stress management, promoting the gradual integration of creative habits as a strategy for maintaining mental health and optimal performance. Drawing on the book “Your Brain, Our Art,” they illustrate how creativity can transform brain biases, advocating for its use as a therapeutic tool in demanding environments.
About the Speaker
Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar leads San Mateo County’s Department of Emergency Management, where she oversees preparedness, response, and recovery. Dr. Dhapodkar is holistic, strategic, and data driven in her approach to emergency management, leading with a future forward, whole community lens. Dr. Dhapodkar has spearheaded response operations for a wide range of events, including wildfires, biological, chemical, and radiological incidents, and active attacker events. Notably, her recent responses included the COVID-19 Pandemic, CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, and Severe Weather Events. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, she implemented ethical resource allocation, operationalized an Alternate Care Site, and established an outreach team to serve vulnerable populations.
Additionally, Dr. Dhapodkar served as the Operations Section Chief and EOC Commissioner for the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games, initiating and leading the development of an all-hazards emergency operations plan for the Games Opening Ceremony, and daily athletic operations, coordinating interactions between Disney World, local law enforcement, local emergency medical services, and Special Olympics executives. Along with her county leadership role, she has served on several homeland security fronts, including Co-Chair for the Bay Area Biological Threat Detection Program, California Conference of Local Health Officers Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee Co-chair, Association of Bay Area Health Officers Liaison, and Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) Terrorism Liaison Officer for San Mateo County Health.
Dr. Dhapodkar holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular cellular biology from the University of Illinois, completed master’s courses in Homeland Security from the US. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the American University of Antigua.
