BIO:

I'm originally from the NYC Metro, grew up in the Tampa Bay Area, and spent many years in Miami where I developed a taste for tropical weather, hurricanes, and broadcast television.

My first experience in TV was in Tampa where I interned during high school. Afterwards, I left the Suncoast for Hurricane Alley to study weather at the University of Miami while at the same time earning a second bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University. I worked at UM's Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, an institution known for it's research. A final TV internship in Miami solidified my interest in broadcasting. I've been lucky enough to work in all 3 of my "home" cities from WFOR-TV in Miami to WTSP-TV in Tampa and NBC WeatherPlus in the NYC Metro. Additionally, I have a passion for chasing hurricanes and tropical storms, but I've also chased snow in the north and storms in the plains for a well balanced diet. These days, I am focused on developing social media content and reside in Italy.

website

With years of experience in patient-focused healthcare, his approach prioritizes personalized treatment plans designed to improve quality of life. Specializing in medical cannabis and integrative medicine, he has guided countless patients toward effective, science-backed solutions for chronic conditions.

A strong foundation in medicine and continuous learning have shaped his career. Holding both an MD and an MBA, his education extends beyond clinical expertise, incorporating healthcare leadership and medical practice management. His qualifications include:

Doctor of Medicine (MD) – Universidad Central del Este, Dominican Republic

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Phoenix

Board Certifications & Medical Licenses – Licensed to practice in multiple states with specialized training in internal medicine and family practice

WEBSITE/CONTACT

Mark Benthien is the Director of Public Education and Preparedness at the Statewide California Earthquake Center, headquartered at the University of Southern California (USC). Mark received a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from USC.

Mark communicates earthquake and tsunami knowledge in order to increase awareness, reduce economic losses, and save lives. Many of these efforts are in coordination with members of the Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA), a California-focused public-private-grassroots partnership of people and organizations that provide earthquake information, for which Mark serves as Executive Director and lead organizer of the annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill, involving 10 million participants each year. He also coordinates with ShakeOut regions across the U.S. and around the world (see ShakeOut.org), for which in 2012 he was recognized as a White House “Champion of Change” and involve more than 50 million people each year. He also recruits participation in California’s Tsunami Preparedness week (along with similar exercises in other states and the Caribbean) via TsunamiZone.org. Finally, he is the Executive Producer of Quake Heroes (a motivational documentary that depicts stories from the 1994 Northridge earthquake).