Fun facts:

1. I play the saxophone.
2. I watch cartoons to relax.
3. I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my life.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose the specialty of psychiatry because of the way Black people are often misunderstood by psychiatrists who don’t understand their cultural background. This often leads to patients being misdiagnosed and mistreated. The effects of a psychiatric misdiagnosis can have life altering consequences. It is my goal to increase representation of Black psychiatrists and formulate creative ways to meet the members of our community where they are.

Fun facts:

1. I can never stop baking; I bake almost all the time and give them away to family and friends.
2. I love road trips better than flight because of my fear of heights.
3. I am a Nigerian American.

Why Behavioral Health?

I am a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP); I chose behavioral health because I want to not only make a change in students’ health but also help to change the stigma around mental health. I am a college health practitioner so I see first-hand how mental health affects the health and grades of affected students. As a CRNP, I always provide students who seek help from the health center with mental issues with different resources that are available to them, but the number of students that seek help is always small. As a Behavioral Health Ambassador, I will reach more students, even those ones that are afraid to seek help.

Fun facts:

1. I’m active in the the medical social media scene. I manage my program’s account and have my own. Follow Me on Twitter @spoonieMD.
2. Proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, initiated in Spring 2011 in the Zeta Psi Chapter at the University of Georgia.
3. I love horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and afro- futurism movies, series, and books! If it has magic, vampires, zombies or aliens AND people of color, I’m all in.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose psychiatry because it is the field of medicine that allows for a holistic approach to helping patients. I always knew that I wanted to be become a physician. However, after getting my undergraduate and master’s degrees in public health, I realized that so much contributes to the the health outcomes of individuals and communities, outside of their individual choices and genetics. During medical school, I sought a field where talking about the effects of racism, trauma, and relationships was encouraged. I found psychiatry to be that speciality, and I really enjoy getting to know my patients and the complexities that make them unique.

Additionally, as a queer, chronically ill, black womyn, I felt that I had a voice and a presence that many patients could relate to and benefit from, especially given the disparities in mental health outcomes and access faced by BIPOC, disabled, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Fun facts:

1. My basketball team won the Catholic high-schools AA State Championship in 2012.
2. I was on a dance team that performed at Six Flags during high-school.
3. My first time on a rollercoaster was on my 23rd birthday.

Why Behavioral Health?

I had some challenges during my childhood that I know still affect many aspects of my life today. I love working with this age group because it’s the time in their lives where you can make a huge impact on their mental health. How we relate to others, how we choose take care of ourselves in times of crisis often develop during those formative years. We carry those same defense mechanisms and coping skills (healthy or otherwise) into adulthood.

Unfortunately, they become a default setting in our mental health arsenal and that is when they become most challenging to change. My hopes are to help to prevent maladaptive thought processes and habits that can make life unnecessarily challenging down the road.

Fun facts:

1. Snakes are my WORST fear. Don’t come near me with one nor show me one.
2. I LOVE to sing (mostly old school and Beyonce’ songs).
3. I have attended three HBCUs while furthering my education: Miles College, Clark Atlanta University and North Carolina A&T State University.

Why Behavioral Health?

I always knew I wanted to help people that had similar experiences to me as I was growing up. As I learned more about the field, my ‘Why?’ became more than just helping those who experienced similar challenges to mine. Mental health was love at first sight, and I later learned that trauma and addictions would become my passion while I interned in the field for a year. It is my goal to provide mental health services, educate and advocate on behalf of marginalized communities, and reduce the stigma on those seeking mental health services in the area I serve.

1. 1. My favorite animal is a Giraffe.
   2. I would love to own a pet pig.
   3. I have performed in musical theater plays since I was 6 years old.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose Counseling Psychology to become an advocate and helper to those who may not be financially equipped to seek help throughout their communities.

After earning my master’s degree, I plan on applying to medical school to pursue Psychiatry. During this time, I will also be working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor to ensure I am qualified to serve the community most effectively. By providing therapy and medical treatment, I will be the one-stop service to individuals who would not be able to afford both simultaneously.

Fun Facts:

1. I played the trombone for 7 years.
2. I am only 4 foot 11 inches tall.
3. My Favorite cartoon is Bob’s Burgers.

Why Behavioral Health?

I have always been fascinated about how the human brain operates, but the more I have learned the more intrigued I have gotten. My primary focus on trauma and crisis is influenced by my passion to help those who feel like help is impossible. As someone who lived through Hurricane Katrina, I understand that traumatic events have continual impacts, but those impacts can be mediated. I believe that many people who have suffered traumatic events are not receiving proper help or diagnoses and my hope as a clinician is to change that status quo. I am being the change I want to see.

1. Fun facts:
   1. I am obsessed with art that reflects the experiences, culture, and complexities of Black people.

   2. I’ve seen over 30 performing artists in concert.

   3. I’m a Gates Millennium Scholar.

Why Behavioral Health?

I decided to pursue a career in behavioral health because I felt called to be an agent of change and a resource for those in need. When I made the decision to become a counselor, I did so with the intent on becoming a resource for the people who are experiencing struggles like my own. I want to be a healer and confidant for the marginalized people across the world, particularly Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities. I want to help give those communities a chance at a life free of mental, spiritual, and emotional suffering.

Fun facts:

1. I was born in Kodiak, Alaska, yet I do not like the cold.
2. Part of me wants to be a food critic because I love food.
3. I like to do crafts as a hobby.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose the Master of Social Work Program because I find that I am not limited in how I can help people in the world. Social work allows me to help families, communities, and organizations. It allows me to advocate for others and help people find their voice. I chose this field to help people overcome various obstacles and to maintain mental stability.

Fun facts:

1. I love to travel and have visited a number of states within the USA on top of different countries within Europe, North America and Asia, and I would love to see so much more.
2. I have a dog named Lady and a cat named Riley (both rescues) that I love with all of my heart!
3. I am very interested in art and love to use my creativity in most things that I do.

Why Behavioral Health?

I spent a few years as an elementary school teacher early on and realized that there was a major need for mental health services within the school system. I chose clinical social work as my field of practice because of the passion I have for helping people become the best version of themselves and because of the experiences I have had around the mental health field. I believe that all people should have adequate and equal access to mental health services if needed.

Many people, especially within minority populations, including children, go undiagnosed with a mental health condition due to the lack of resources or the stigma behind therapy. I want to change the outlook on the way people perceive therapists and therapy services.

Fun facts:

1. I speak three languages.
2. I am currently studying to become a yoga instructor.
3. My family is the most important thing to me.

Why Behavioral Health?

My nature is to help people. I come from a culture that values community and a family that encourages human service. I chose a career in social work because people are the foundation of society and mental health is at the core of people. The behavioral health field is in need of greater representation of Black people and I want to be part of that diversity. My future goals include serving Black and Brown children as a school social worker, opening a private practice catering to the needs of people of color, and advocating for free mental health services for all.

Fun facts:

1. I like poems/spoken word poetry.
2. I enjoy watching the sunset.
3. I enjoy writing and traveling.

Why Behavioral Health?

The study of mental and behavioral disorders has always been fascinating to me. I chose a focus in psychiatry because of how it transverses several areas of medicine, including neurosciences, pharmacy, psychology, public health, and the application of a biopsychosocial model in caring for a person’s wellbeing. I enjoy community medicine and feel a deep sense of satisfaction when I connect and interact with people.

Psychoeducation is very important, and we need to provide more mental health training regarding mental illnesses and create awareness regarding the available resources in the community. We must also advocate for more support and funds

Fun facts:

1. I traveled to Nepal and presented at the U.S. Embassy on suicidality.
2. I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
3. I am very creative and love do-it-yourself projects.

Why Behavioral Health?

I often tell others that my therapist was my superhero. I chose clinical psychology because after seeking therapy for myself I realized that I wanted to be the superhero I so desperately needed as a child, growing up in my community. I want to help break the stigma in minority communities and help address mental health issues that are often overlooked. I also chose to earn my Ph.D in clinical psychology to add to the African American literature on mental health.

Fun facts:
1. I love to cook and being an at home chef.
2. I like to do makeup for fun.
3. I love traveling.

Why Behavioral Health?
When I began my undergraduate journey, I started to see the benefit and need for mental health care in minority communities, especially the Black community. I aspire to uplift the Black community by helping to create opportunities and safe spaces for the youth to share and express their concerns. I feel that, often times, individuals from minority communities are not equipped with the proper coping skills for events that may happen in their life. I would like to help make an impact in bridging that gap for those people.

Fun facts:

1. I love to travel and a lover of different cultures and food.
2. I am a horror movie fanatic.
3. I feel special when I receive a meme or gif. Please tag me in anything funny on social media.

Why Behavioral Health?

I enjoy learning and growing within the behavioral health field because of my goal, which is to better enhance the lives of individuals struggling with mental health. I believe mental health is critical and often stigmatized, particularly in the Black community. The skills I have acquired will be utilized to bring awareness and better understanding of mental health within the Black communities. I specifically chose to focus in school psychology because I feel the youth are the future and the ability to have an impact on their lives can help bring about change for this generation and future generations to come.

Fun Facts

1. I am a great baker.
2. I love horses.
3. My favorite hobby is crafting.

Why Behavioral Health?

I believe all social sciences are important in helping society grow and maintain self- sustainability. As a Black female who has witnessed many unique hardships those in my community endure, I especially am interested in helping to remove some barriers that prevent many in underserved communities from having access to quality care. I chose to focus on behavioral health because being able to empower people to make positive changes in their lives is an important facet in helping to build communities and improve the quality of life for individuals and families. My professional goals include increasing access to affordable and competent mental health care to marginalized communities and creating an equine therapy program for children and adolescents with behavioral challenges.

Fun facts:

1. I am originally from Wisconsin (Go Packers!)
2. I love being outdoors, especially hiking with my dog.
3. I enjoy science and almost chose to study geology.

Why Behavioral Health?

I have always had a passion for working to uplift individuals and groups whose voices are drowned out by this world.

Specifically, I was driven to this field by my interest in assisting to end the horrors of human trafficking and child exploitation in this country and around the world. My undergraduate degree in psychology and current study in the field of social work have given me the opportunity to work beside individuals who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, and mental illness, which has ignited my passion for vulnerable populations even more. As a future LCSW, I will work to assist these populations with mental health counseling, advocacy, education, and awareness and, with the help of my current and future behavioral health colleagues, we will change this world for the better.

Fun facts:

1. I am a member of Chi Sigma Iota.
2. I recently started my own business (Defining Wellness Body Sculpting & Detoxifying Spa) that focuses on health and wellness.
3. My brother and I are 7 years apart in age and so are my two boys.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose behavioral health because I’ve always had a passion for helping others. I feel that people who have mental health needs are often unnoticed due to the lack of resources and awareness surrounding mental health. As an advocate for mental health, I am able to bring awareness to others about the importance of spreading knowledge about mental health within their community. As a school counselor, I can also educate students, teachers, and staff about mental health and the resources available to help those in need.

Fun facts:

1. 1. I am from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
   2. My favorite color is pink.

   3. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, and DIY projects.

Why Behavioral Health?

I am interested in becoming a Clinical Health Psychologist because a person’s physical health may be influenced by psychological factors, such as, depression. By becoming a Clinical Health Psychologist, I want to assist people with dealing with these issues pertaining to their physical health and encourage them to live their best lives as much as possible through counseling. My career goals include working in a research-oriented medical hospital with a diverse client base, becoming a principal research investigator and community advocate for clients.

Fun facts:

1. I’ve flown a helicopter.
2. I marched in the parade for the Inauguration of President Obama.
3. I’m the eldest and only girl of ten.

Why Behavioral Health?

It is my belief that the field of behavioral health chose me. I am grateful for the opportunity to walk through life with my patients and to help them navigate through its many obstacles including, but not limited to, grappling with mental health illnesses. I chose psychiatry in particular, because I am most intrigued with the intersection of mental health disorders and medical diseases. I enjoy providing care to some of the most vulnerable populations.

Fun facts:

1. I have been sky diving.
2. My undergraduate nursing degree is from the University of South Carolina where I attended on a full basketball scholarship.
3. 400 guests attended my husband’s and my wedding in October 2017.

Why Behavioral Health?

As a Nurse Anesthetist, I provide anesthesia full time at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I am the Lead Nurse Anesthetist of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Brain Stimulation Lab. I care for and provide anesthesia for patients who have psychiatric illness and require electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Because of my first-hand experience with treatment-resistant mood disorders, I have developed a passion for behavioral health.