Episode Summary
In this special episode, recorded during the MFP's 2024 Summer Intensive Training Institute in Washington, D.C., host Indrias Kassaye brings together an accomplished panel of MFP alumni to celebrate the program's 50-year legacy and explore the future of psychiatric and mental health care for underserved communities. Join us as Dr. John Lowe, Dr. Eugenia Millender, Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, Dr. Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, Dr. Kalisha Bonds-Johnson, and Dr. LaKeetra Josey share their journeys, groundbreaking research, and the profound impact they’ve had on the lives of those they serve.
Episode Notes
In this special episode, recorded during the MFP's 2024 Summer Intensive Training Institute in Washington, D.C., host Indrias Kassaye brings together an accomplished panel of MFP alumni to celebrate the program's 50-year legacy and explore the future of psychiatric and mental health care for underserved communities.
Join us as Dr. John Lowe, Dr. Eugenia Millender, Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, Dr. Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, Dr. Kalisha Bonds-Johnson, and Dr. LaKeetra Josey share their journeys, groundbreaking research, and the profound impact they’ve had on the lives of those they serve. Dr. Lowe reflects on a powerful moment when a young Native American man, whom he had mentored through the Talking Circle intervention, crossed paths with him years later in Washington, D.C., having become a successful law student and intern on Capitol Hill—a testament to the life-changing influence of culturally tailored interventions.
Dr. Millender discusses how her research on cumulative trauma and stress has not only advanced our understanding of cardiovascular disease but also empowered communities to confront and address the long-term impacts of these stressors. She recalls the personal transformation she experienced through the MFP, which expanded her worldview and deepened her commitment to addressing health inequities, particularly within indigenous and Latino communities.
Dr. Gonzalez-Guarda shares how her upbringing in Miami initially sheltered her from the broader inequities faced by immigrant communities—a realization that later fueled her passion for health equity. Her work, now recognized with a new grant for a community trial, focuses on preventing systemic health outcomes in Latino immigrant families, emphasizing the importance of cultural strengths in overcoming societal stressors.
Dr. Mary Lou de Leon Siantz speaks movingly about her lifelong dedication to the mental health and reproductive health of migrant children and adolescents. She reflects on her pioneering work as the first national mental health coordinator for the Migrant Head Start program and her ongoing commitment to advocating for immigrant children at the U.S. border.
Dr. Kalisha Bonds-Johnson offers insight into her research on African American adult daughters caring for parents with cognitive impairments. Drawing from her own life experiences, she highlights the importance of culturally tailored support systems for these caregivers, whose challenges often go unrecognized. Her work, supported by a prestigious NIH K award, exemplifies the critical need for research that addresses the unique needs of underserved populations.
Dr. LaKeetra Josey discusses how the MFP transformed her approach to leadership and clinical practice, empowering her to create innovative mental health care solutions tailored to the needs of diverse communities. From establishing a practice in the Dominican Republic serving U.S. veterans to integrating mental health services in schools, Dr. Josey exemplifies the impact of culturally responsive care in improving mental health outcomes.
The journeys of these distinguished guests exemplify the mission of the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association to address substance use disorder and mental health care disparities affecting racial and ethnic minorities. Through their research, clinical practice, and advocacy, they have each contributed to reducing these disparities by developing and implementing culturally relevant interventions that resonate deeply with the communities they serve. Their work underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved populations, from systemic inequities to the need for culturally sensitive care.
Throughout the episode, the importance of storytelling emerges as a powerful theme. The panelists emphasize how sharing narratives—whether it’s their own or those of the individuals and communities they serve—can bridge understanding, inspire action, and drive meaningful change. They highlight how the Minority Fellowship Program has equipped them not only with the skills to conduct groundbreaking research but also with the ability to become advocates, and tell the stories that humanize their work, make it accessible to a broader audience and inspire new generations of psychiatric mental health nurses.
This episode captures the spirit of the MFP family—a powerful community of leaders dedicated to advancing mental health equity. Through their personal anecdotes, these trailblazing nurse scientists not only highlight their professional achievements but also share the deep, personal connections they’ve made with those they serve, and the transformative experiences that shaped their visions for the future.
Tune in for a rich discussion that both honors the past and looks boldly to the future, envisioning new frontiers in mental health care, from addressing the needs of indigenous populations to exploring the possibilities for nurse scientists in outer space. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
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Nurses can earn Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits by listening to this episode.
CNE information:
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The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.