Diane Calabrese has published 4 books since 2021. She was awarded the best Christian author in 2024 https://bestofbestreview.com/awards/diane-calabrese-llc-best-christian-author-of-2024 and also received book awards through the international Impact book awards––where she will attend an author’s Gala event in the Marriott hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Diane’s works have been published in prestigious magazines such as USA weekly, New York Weekly, as well as many podcasts, radio and TV media including IRADIOUSA, a Long Island Station hosted by Eric Koppleman, a LI broadcaster and on Public Access Cablevision, the Long Island station, channel 20 with Linda Marie Frank who hosts the Writer’s Dream.
Early in Diane’s career she obtained a Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation from Saint Joseph’s College and a Master of Science in health care policy and management from Stony Brook University. While at Stony Brook University, Diane served on various boards, including the Mental Health Advisory board and the Healthier U board, as well as the programming and budget subcommittee. Diane gained valuable expertise in the field of recreational therapy while working as a recreational therapist for thirty-plus years in hospitals, nonprofit agencies, public schools, and universities. In recent years, Diane worked in higher education for Florida International University and as a recreational therapist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, from which she retired in 2021.
Diane continues to excel as an adjunct professor for Florida International University. She teaches numerous classes there and has since 2014. She has certified two courses through Quality Matters: LEI 3542—Principles of Parks, Recreation and Sports Management; and LEI 3723—Assistive Technology Lab Course. Diane has also taught LEI 4705—Program Planning in Recreational
Therapy and currently teaches LEI 4712—Evaluation and Evidence Based Practice in Recreational Therapy; LEI 4720/6726—Trends, Issues, and Managerial Aspects of Recreational Therapy; as well as two holistic therapy labs, LEI 3723—Reiki Lab and LEI 3723—Aromatherapy Lab. Diane also has an aromatherapy course open to the public through the Udemy Virtual E-Learning platform (Udemy).
With her considerable breadth of knowledge, she is also an author, having written Meditations for the Mind-Body-Spirit and Mind, Body, Spirit and Discovering the Purpose of Life,” two self-help books—one that provides guided imagery to facilitate a relaxing environment for mental clarity and connection to the Lord and one that shares her experiences in professional life, providing insight into how holistic healing modalities can be integrated into therapy for people who struggle with pain and mental health disabilities.
In 2024, Diane wrote two more books in the Christian genre He is Watching and God Loves Sea Animals too: Poetry for Inspiration. Since Diane’s retirement from the Veterans Administration Medical Center, she has been actively involved with affiliated wellness platforms, including WellMeRight.com and Heal.me.com—two well-known organizations for holistic health-care practices. Diane was also a contributing writer for the Journal of Modern Healing, Integrative Pain Healers Alliance. She is a member of the Long Island Authors Group. More can be found about her written works at https://www.dianecalabrese.com.