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Faculty

Rebecca DePalma

DMSc, PA-C
Physician Associate
Denova Collaborative Health

Rebecca is a psychiatry PA, preceptor, speaker, and author from Seattle, Washington. After earning her master's degree as a PA, she completed her Doctorate of Medical Science, further strengthening her commitment to clinical excellence and education. She works full-time in outpatient telepsychiatry, providing patient-centered psychiatric care across diverse populations. Rebecca is actively involved in various educational and speaking endeavors. She lectures in psychopharmacology for universities nationwide and serves as adjunct faculty for PA programs. Additionally, Rebecca co-authored First Line Guide: Psychiatric and Behavioral Medicine, a practical resource for clinicians, and is passionate about advancing evidence-based, accessible health care. Rebecca has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy as a Psych Congress PA Scholar and serves as an AAPA ambassador. She is committed to fostering collaboration, and brings a growth-oriented approach grounded in lifelong learning and compassion. Beyond her clinical and academic work, Rebecca enjoys spending time on the lake and traveling the world.

2026 Sessions

AI in Psychiatry: What to Use, What to Question, and What Not to Outsource

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of psychiatric practice through documentation tools, clinical support systems, and patient-facing technologies. While these innovations offer opportunities to improve efficiency, they also raise important questions regarding clinical judgment, patient safety, and professional responsibility. This session provides a practical examination of current AI applications in mental health care, helping clinicians distinguish useful tools from emerging risks. Through real-world examples, attendees will learn how to leverage AI appropriately while maintaining the critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic relationships that remain central to high-quality psychiatric care.

Speaker

Sunday, December 06 2:50–3:50 PM
Faculty

Rebecca DePalma

DMSc, PA-C
Physician Associate
Denova Collaborative Health

Rebecca is a psychiatry PA, preceptor, speaker, and author from Seattle, Washington. After earning her master's degree as a PA, she completed her Doctorate of Medical Science, further strengthening her commitment to clinical excellence and education. She works full-time in outpatient telepsychiatry, providing patient-centered psychiatric care across diverse populations. Rebecca is actively involved in various educational and speaking endeavors. She lectures in psychopharmacology for universities nationwide and serves as adjunct faculty for PA programs. Additionally, Rebecca co-authored First Line Guide: Psychiatric and Behavioral Medicine, a practical resource for clinicians, and is passionate about advancing evidence-based, accessible health care. Rebecca has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy as a Psych Congress PA Scholar and serves as an AAPA ambassador. She is committed to fostering collaboration, and brings a growth-oriented approach grounded in lifelong learning and compassion. Beyond her clinical and academic work, Rebecca enjoys spending time on the lake and traveling the world.

Co-Chairs

James Somers

PA-C, DHSc, DFAAPA
Associate Professor -Doctor of Medical Science Program
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

James (Jay) C. Somers, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA has dedicated over 25 years to psychiatry, working with both adult and adolescent populations. A Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA, he earned his master’s degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a Doctor of Health Science from A.T. Still University. Dr. Somers is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, frequently presenting on mental health topics at national and regional conferences. This year, he was honored to present three different topics at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting. He has previously served as president of the National Association of PAs in Psychiatry and the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants, and he recently completed a four-year term as the AAPA liaison to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Somers owns and operates an outpatient psychiatric clinic that has provided comprehensive, integrative, and lifestyle-focused mental health care for over 21 years. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the DMSc program at the University of Lynchburg, where he serves as course supervisor for Adult Behavioral Medicine I and II. His clinical and research interests include nutritional psychiatry, professional fulfillment, and the role of AI in mental health.
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