New Offering, starting 2026

Keynote Performance

What is a Keynote Performance?

Dr. Deroze coined the term "keynote performance" in 2026 with the debut of her one-woman play, Beyond the Vial.

Beyond the Vial is a powerful theatrical experience exploring misdiagnosis, stigma, identity, and the emotional realities that often go unseen behind a diabetes diagnosis.

Keynote speeches just got an upgrade! The keynote performance includes live audience interaction and a talk-back at the conclusion.

Beyond the Vial

Dr. Deroze takes the stage in a way that you've never seen before now.

In her one-woman play, which has taken seven years to complete, she shares her diagnosis story through performance. She sings, she recites poetry, and she breaks the fourth wall while taking the audience on a journey. You'll leave the keynote performance with the better understanding of how diabetes impacts physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing.

Beyond The Vial is a powerful one-woman theatrical experience based on Dr. Phyllisa Deroze's lived experience with diabetes, misdiagnosis, stigma, identity, and the healthcare system. Blending storytelling, performance, vulnerability, and education, Dr. Deroze takes audiences behind the diagnosis to explore the parts of chronic illness that don't always appear in a medical chart.

The fear. The confusion. The assumptions. The stigma. The moments of laughter. The moments of anger. And the determination to keep going.

Run time: The play is tailored to fit within the usual time of keynote speeches (45-60 minutes).

Signature Engagements

Keynote Speeches

Dr. Phyllisa Deroze brings together scholarship, storytelling, lived experience, humor, vulnerability, and audience engagement to create presentations that stay with people long after the event ends.

Her speeches can be customized for healthcare organizations, conferences, universities, corporations, nonprofits, professional associations, community organizations, and advocacy events.

Topics Include, but not limited to:

When You're Diagnosed, The Impact of Medical Bias, The Importance of Health Equity, What I Learned From A Clinical Trial, The Right Language Can Save Someone.

Workshop Facilitation

Panel topics can include, but not limited to:

• Diabetes and chronic illness

• Patient advocacy and the patient experience

• Health equity and healthcare disparities

• Race and healthcare

• Diabetes stigma and weight stigma

• Misdiagnosis and diagnostic bias

• Representation in healthcare and research

• Patient-provider communication

• Community health and engagement

• Storytelling and health advocacy

• Women and chronic illness

• Living beyond a diagnosis

• The intersection of culture, identity, and health

Panel Moderation & Participation

Whether she is joining a panel as an expert voice, moderating a conversation, or facilitating a room, Dr. Deroze brings a willingness to engage the audience in s.

Dr. Deroze designs and facilitates interactive workshops that encourage participants to question assumptions, share perspectives, explore difficult topics, and develop practical ways to apply what they've learned.

Workshops can be customized for:

• Healthcare professionals

• Researchers

• Educators

• Students

• Corporate teams

• Nonprofit organizations

• Community leaders

• Patient advocates

• People living with chronic conditions

Connect with Dr. Deroze to discuss tailored keynotes, workshops, or moderation for your next health conference, summit, retreat, or event.