Faculty

Rakesh Jain

MD, MPH
Clinical Professor
Texas Tech - Permian Basin

Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, attended medical school at the University of Calcutta in India. He then attended graduate school at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, where he was awarded a “National Institute/Center for Disease Control Competitive Traineeship”. His research thesis focused on impact of substance abuse. He graduated from the School of Public Health in 1987 with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree.

Dr. Jain served a three-year residency in Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He followed that by obtaining further specialty training, by undergoing a two-year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition, Dr. Jain completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Research Psychiatry at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute, in Houston. He was awarded the “National Research Service Award” for the support of this postdoctoral fellowship.

2026 Sessions

Clinical Decision Point: Real-World Case Challenges

Psychiatric care often requires navigating uncertainty, competing diagnostic possibilities, and evolving treatment needs. In this interactive session, faculty will present complex, real-world cases that challenge conventional approaches to assessment and management. Through guided discussion and audience participation, attendees will examine diagnostic reasoning, treatment selection, and clinical decision-making strategies while exploring multiple evidence-based pathways for care. The session emphasizes practical application of knowledge and the critical thinking skills required for successful psychiatric practice.

Speaker

Saturday, December 05 7:30–8:30 AM
Room Grand Cypress GHI
Co-Chairs

Erin Crown

MHS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry
Managing Member
Oasis LifeCare

Erin Crown is a Board Certified Physician Assistant with a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry, and the Managing Member of Oasis LifeCare in State College, PA. Having formerly provided care on an inpatient stabilization unit, she currentlly practices psychiatry in the outpatient setting and leads a first episode psychosis program.. She is the owner of Future Options Research and is the Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials. Erin is the past Chair of the NCCPA Health Foundation, a member of the PArtners in Mental Health Steering Committee, and is also working with AAPA and the PA Foundation to bring trauma informed education to school districts across the country.

Co-Chairs

Mercedes Dodge

MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psychiatry
Texas Site Director
Orion Behavioral Health

Mercedes Dodge is a Board-Certified PA with a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry and past experience in Family Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Urgent Care, and Women’s Health. . PA Dodge completed her undergraduate education in Psychology and Biology at Rice University, worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and then a researcher in both laboratory and clinical work at Baylor College of Medicine and University of California, Davis, respectively. She trained as a PA at the University of California - Davis Medical School and holds an M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. PA Dodge has served in many leadership positions including Director at Large for the California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and President of the San Diego Physician Assistant Society (SDSPA). She has been an active member of the AAPA, Central Texas Physician Assistant Society, Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants, PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine, and the Association of PAs in Psychiatry. She serves as President for PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine (2022-2023), and Secretary for the Association of PAs in Psychiatry. She is an advocate for children and families as she works also as a parent educator and parent advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in her own children's schools.

Faculty

Rakesh Jain

MD, MPH
Clinical Professor
Texas Tech - Permian Basin

Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, attended medical school at the University of Calcutta in India. He then attended graduate school at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, where he was awarded a “National Institute/Center for Disease Control Competitive Traineeship”. His research thesis focused on impact of substance abuse. He graduated from the School of Public Health in 1987 with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree.

Dr. Jain served a three-year residency in Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He followed that by obtaining further specialty training, by undergoing a two-year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition, Dr. Jain completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Research Psychiatry at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute, in Houston. He was awarded the “National Research Service Award” for the support of this postdoctoral fellowship.

Masterclass: The Road to Recovery in MDD: Fom Partial Response to Remission and Beyond

Many patients with MDD experience only partial improvement despite adequate antidepressant therapy. This session focuses on recognizing clinically meaningful residual symptoms, reviews emerging evidence for adjunctive pharmacologic options, and provides practical approaches to optimizing treatment with the goal of achieving remission and sustained recovery. Supported by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson.

Speaker

Saturday, December 05 11:40–12:40 PM
Room Grand Cypress GHI
1 Credits
MasterClass
Faculty

Rakesh Jain

MD, MPH
Clinical Professor
Texas Tech - Permian Basin

Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, attended medical school at the University of Calcutta in India. He then attended graduate school at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, where he was awarded a “National Institute/Center for Disease Control Competitive Traineeship”. His research thesis focused on impact of substance abuse. He graduated from the School of Public Health in 1987 with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree.

Dr. Jain served a three-year residency in Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He followed that by obtaining further specialty training, by undergoing a two-year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition, Dr. Jain completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Research Psychiatry at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute, in Houston. He was awarded the “National Research Service Award” for the support of this postdoctoral fellowship.

Faculty

Ricky Reding

Patient Advocate
OnPoint

My name is Ricky Reding. I moved to Tampa, Florida from Minnesota 3 years ago to retire. In Minnesota I owned and ran a construction company. One day I fell from a roof and when landed broke my back:; hence the retirement. I was told by the surgeon I would never walk again. Well after 2 years of therapy and lots of pain I proved them wrong and now am walking fine. Well for retirement that didn't go so well, can't sit still. So I went to work as a security officer. I have now worked my way up to supervisor and run a crew of 12 officers. I really enjoy the job; and that's my retirement for now! I am married to a lovely woman and have 2 pet English Setters.

Co-Chairs

Kevin Williams

MS, MPAS, PA-C
CEO and Lead Clinician
OnPoint Behavioral Health

Kevin N. Williams MS, MPAS, PA-C is the CEO and Lead Clinician at OnPoint Behavioral Health. He is a Physician Associate that specializes in Psychiatry and has a mission to provide care that is experienced, holistic, and compassionate. He holds two master degrees in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies from the University of South Florida and South University respectively. He has gained experience treating children, adolescents, and adults for the past 11 years in the areas of inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care. Kevin has 10 years of experience teaching as an Adjunct Professor at several institutions around the country. Kevin also has over 10 years in executive leadership experience and maintains a passion of educating others to lead with effective influence. He has participated in mission work abroad and has enjoyed volunteering in several organizations in the Tampa Bay community. He enjoys spending time with his family along with his hobbies of aviation and traveling abroad.

Masterclass: Mastering Next Generation Stimulant Formulations and Delivery Systems for Individualized Patient Care Across the Lifespan in ADHD

Accurate ADHD diagnosis and individualized treatment require an understanding of diverse symptom presentations, developmental stages, gender differences, and common psychiatric comorbidities. This masterclass will explore evidence-based diagnostic approaches and the pharmacology, clinical evidence, and practical distinctions among next-generation stimulant formulations, including prodrugs, evening-dosed extended-release options, and transdermal delivery systems. Faculty will discuss how age, comorbidities, adherence patterns, and dosing flexibility inform treatment selection across the lifespan. Through shared decision-making strategies, participants will learn to align treatment with each patient’s needs, preferences, and functional goals.

Supported by an educational grant from Collegium Pharmaceutical.

Speaker

Saturday, December 05 3:50–4:50 PM
Room Grand Cypress GHI
Faculty

Benjamin Epstein

DMSc, PA-C
Associate Medical director
Southlake Psychiatry
Faculty

Rakesh Jain

MD, MPH
Clinical Professor
Texas Tech - Permian Basin

Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, attended medical school at the University of Calcutta in India. He then attended graduate school at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, where he was awarded a “National Institute/Center for Disease Control Competitive Traineeship”. His research thesis focused on impact of substance abuse. He graduated from the School of Public Health in 1987 with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree.

Dr. Jain served a three-year residency in Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He followed that by obtaining further specialty training, by undergoing a two-year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition, Dr. Jain completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Research Psychiatry at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute, in Houston. He was awarded the “National Research Service Award” for the support of this postdoctoral fellowship.

From Practice to Publication: Navigating Peer Review and Earning Authorship in Psychiatry

Scholarly activity plays an important role in advancing psychiatric practice, yet many clinicians are unfamiliar with the publication process. This session provides a practical overview of manuscript development, authorship considerations, peer review, and publication strategies. Faculty will share insights from their own experiences as authors, reviewers, and editors while discussing common challenges and opportunities for clinicians seeking to contribute to the psychiatric literature. Attendees will leave with actionable guidance for transforming clinical interests into publishable work.

Speaker

Sunday, December 06 11:10–12:10 PM
Room Grand Cypress GHI
Co-Chairs

Michael Asbach

DMSc, PA-C
Associate Medical Director
DENT Neurologic Institute

Dr. Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C is a doctorally trained Physician Assistant and Associate Medical Director at the DENT Neurologic Institute in Buffalo, New York. He earned his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Daemen University and his Doctor of Medical Science from A.T. Still University. He also holds the Psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
A nationally recognized educator and CME speaker, Dr. Asbach specializes in treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, and emerging psychiatric therapies. He holds a faculty appointment with Shenandoah University’s Doctor of Medical Science program, teaches across multiple universities, serves on the Psych Congress Steering Committee, and is a co-chair of the Psych Congress PA Institute annual meeting.

Dr. Asbach’s work bridges clinical innovation, professional advocacy, and disruption in healthcare, with a focus on advancing psychiatry, elevating the PA profession, and shaping the future of collaborative care.

Faculty

Rakesh Jain

MD, MPH
Clinical Professor
Texas Tech - Permian Basin

Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, attended medical school at the University of Calcutta in India. He then attended graduate school at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, where he was awarded a “National Institute/Center for Disease Control Competitive Traineeship”. His research thesis focused on impact of substance abuse. He graduated from the School of Public Health in 1987 with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree.

Dr. Jain served a three-year residency in Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He followed that by obtaining further specialty training, by undergoing a two-year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition, Dr. Jain completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Research Psychiatry at the University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute, in Houston. He was awarded the “National Research Service Award” for the support of this postdoctoral fellowship.

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