Each year, Elevate offers scholarships to students, residents, or fellows in mental healthcare eager to take on new challenges in diagnosis and treatment and be at the forefront of their field.

As an early career psychiatrist and leader in psychiatry, it feels full circle to go from a 2024 Psych Congress Elevate Scholar — watching and learning from speakers — to now serving as a 2025 New and Emerging Voice.

Elevate, which will be held May 28-31 in Las Vegas, is an amazing experience for career growth opportunities, providing invaluable education, mentorship, and networking that continues to shape my professional journey — especially as a speaker.

When I first attended, I was inspired by a sense of community among mental health professionals dedicated to advancing patient care. Beyond the education, making connections with like-minded colleagues is what truly set this experience apart.

Now, having the privilege to contribute as a speaker, I see firsthand how Elevate cultivates the next generation of leaders in psychiatry. Elevate allows attendees to take huge steps in growing their careers. It informs and empowers, encouraging clinicians to refine skills, expand impact, and stay ahead in their field.

2025 Elevate Scholars

Each year, Elevate offers scholarships to students, residents, or fellows in mental healthcare eager to take on new challenges in diagnosis and treatment and be at the forefront of their field. The program supports and inspires early career clinicians, providing access to top tier education, mentorship, and networking opportunities, while also including them and involving them in the conference.

2025 recipients include:

-    Adrian Vieira-Ribeiro, NP, Community Leader
-    Alexis Johnson, NP, Trailblazer
-    Alicia Emery, NP, Catalyst
-    Allen Ripors, NP, Trailblazer
-    Amanda Singh, NP, Breakout Thinker
-    Amy Gilbert, NP, Breakout Thinker
-    Brianna Goulston, NP, Pathfinder
-    Carlos Cueto, MD, Changemaker
-    Carter Doyle, NP, Changemaker
-    Christina Kessler, APN/APRN, Visionary
-    Clinton Favre, MD, Community Leader
-    Crystal Evans, NP, Community Leader
-    Cynthia Harris, NP, Catalyst
-    Damian Ashinjo, NP, Trailblazer
-    Ehren Watada, NP, Innovator
-    Emily Stangl, APN/APRN, Breakout Thinker
-    Erika Powell-Burson, NP, Breakout Thinker
-    Ganeev Singh, MD, Changemaker
-    Hansel Haase, MD, Pathfinder
-    Heather Sibel, NP, Catalyst
-    Henry Helms, MD, Pathfinder
-    Ildiko Roxane Bocskay, NP, Visionary
-    Jacob Bottroff, NP, Visionary
-    Jacqueline Sanchez, APN/APRN, Community Leader
-    Jaleel McNeil, APN/APRN, Innovator
-    Jasprina Ming, PA, Changemaker
-    Jenna Radford, NP, Trailblazer
-    Jeremy Jones, DO, Pathfinder
-    Jessica Maguire, NP, Breakout Thinker
-    Jessica Stehl, NP, Trailblazer
-    Jodi Oyler, APN/APRN, Pathfinder
-    Jordan Burnett, APN/APRN, Changemaker
-    Katelyn Zerbst, NP, Visionary
-    Kenatta Bethea, NP, Pathfinder
-    Larissa Ngwe, APN/APRN, Breakout Thinker
-    Lockeisha Johnson, APN/APRN, Visionary
-    Mariana Ndrio, MD, Catalyst
-    Mariyam Hajidamji, NP, Changemaker
-    Maureen Ndzi, NP, Community Leader
-    Mujidat Seidu, NP, Visionary
-    Natalie Bogue, NP, Catalyst
-    Nicolas Biaggi, MD, Innovator
-    Oluwaseyi Niyi-Adesola, APN/APRN, Community Leader
-    Oluwole Babatunde, MD, Trailblazer
-    Rachel Roman, NP, Changemaker
-    Rachelle Connors, APN/APRN, Innovator
-    Ranovy Occelus, APN/APRN, Breakout Thinker
-    Robert S. Jean, APN/APRN, Pathfinder
-    Rose Kirk, MD, Innovator
-    Sadaf Khan, NP, Changemaker
-    Shelley Chen, MD, Visionary
-    Sherice Campbell, APN/APRN, Community Leader
-    Snezana Radnovic, APN/APRN, Catalyst
-    Staci Hite, APN/APRN, Innovator
-    Tanner Hewitt, DO, Trailblazer
-    Vivian Tran, MD, Innovator
-    Viviana Villalobos, NP, Catalyst

Educational Program

Elevate is led by Co-Chairs Craig Chepke, MD, DFAPA, Kevin Williams, MS, MPAS, PA-C, and Desiree Matthews, PMHNP-BC. There are more than 35 sessions, focused on practical psychopharmacology, career-building, and future-focused topics to equip practitioners with the tools needed to become more effective. 

If you’re looking for a conference that offers cutting-edge clinical content and fosters career development and professional connections, Elevate is the place to be. For me, it has been a wonderful experience to start out as an attendee and Elevate Scholar and progress into a faculty role.

I am honored to contribute as a speaker, presenting on a topic that is more relevant than ever — the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. My presentation, “#MentalHealth: Understanding Social Media’s Impact on Adolescents,” will explore the complex relationship between social media use and adolescent well-being, examining both the benefits and risks. 

I hope you will join me for this session and for all the tools, connections, and inspiration you will gain at Elevate. You will leave feeling empowered and inspired to make a lasting impact on the future of mental healthcare.

Learn more and sign up: hmpglobalevents.com/psych-congress-elevate.

Dr. Patel is a board-certified psychiatrist at Mississippi Psychiatry & Wellness, PLLC in Ridgeland, MS. She is passionate about mental healthcare, healthcare administration, advocacy, marketing, writing, and communications with several years of leadership, public speaking, and nonprofit board service.