Elevating the Future of Mental Health: Where Rising Voices Meet Leading Experts

Psych Congress Elevate is committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that blends the expertise of nationally recognized faculty with the fresh perspectives of new and emerging voices. Each year, we invite early-career clinicians, rising researchers, and innovative practitioners who are advancing mental health care in meaningful ways. This group brings forward new ideas, clinical insights, and real-world experiences that reflect the evolving needs of patients and the profession.

The New and Emerging Voices program provides a platform for clinicians who are shaping the future of mental health practice to offer perspectives informed by direct patient care, research, and the unique challenges faced by early-career professionals. Their work spans a wide range of areas, including new treatment approaches, cultural and community engagement, integrated and collaborative care, digital and technology-supported interventions, trauma-informed practice, and emerging models that reflect current challenges in behavioral health. Their voices help ensure that Psych Congress Elevate remains relevant, forward looking, and grounded in the realities of modern clinical practice. Many emerging contributors also bring expertise from diverse backgrounds and care settings, enriching the dialogue with insights that represent the wide spectrum of communities served in mental health.

Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from these voices through presentations, discussions, and the broader educational program. Their inclusion reflects our commitment to supporting professional growth while amplifying ideas that are shaping the next phase of mental health innovation.

This year's New and Emerging Voices will be announced as the program is finalized in early 2026. Attendees can look forward to learning from a wide range of clinicians who are bringing fresh thinking and impactful work to the field.

This Year's Class Was in for a Surprise!

Meet the 2026 New & Emerging Voices!

Get to know these rising leaders in the field, who joined forces with our expert faculty to deliver dynamic CME sessions and shared fresh perspectives on the latest advancements in treatment and care. 

Annmarie Kropp, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C
Annmarie Kropp, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C

Session: Recognizing Autism in Children & Adults: A Practical Guide for General Psychiatry

Presenting with Veronica Ridpath, DO

Andrea Gleim, PsyD
Andrea Gleim, PsyD

Session: Digital Co-Therapists or Dangerous Disruptors? Managing AI Chatbots in Psychiatric Practice

Presenting with Steve R. Chan, MD, MBA, FAPA, FAMIA

Anyinke Atabong, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, PMH-C
Anyinke Atabong, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, PMH-C

Session: Bipolar on the Brink: Early Recognition and High-Impact Treatment Strategies

Presenting with Rebecca K. Barbee, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Gil D. Hoftman, MD, PhD
Gil D. Hoftman, MD, PhD

Session: Little Patients, Big Questions: Pediatric Prescribing and Early Intervention Essentials

Presenting with Julie A. Carbray, PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, APRN

James Morgan, DNP, AGACNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
James Morgan, DNP, AGACNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Session: Overcoming Career Roadblocks: How to Succeed When You’re Swimming Upstream 

Presenting with Rachel Dalthorp, MD

Ifeanyi M. Olele, DO, MBA, MS, FAPA
Ifeanyi M. Olele, DO, MBA, MS, FAPA

Session: What the Record Should Say: Clinical Documentation to Protect Patients and Providers

Presenting with Kevin N. Williams, MS, MPAS, PA-C

Jason Carter, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych
Jason Carter, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Session: Dementia with Behavioral Symptoms: Treatment Without Overmedication

Presenting with TBD

Jekeva Moss, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, DipACLM
Jekeva Moss, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, DipACLM

Session: Treating Serious Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Engaging Complex Patients

Presenting with Ilan Melnick, MD

Melissa (Mel) Brown, MSN, PMHNP-BC, WHNP-BC, PMH-C
Melissa (Mel) Brown, MSN, PMHNP-BC, WHNP-BC, PMH-C

Session: Mood, Meds, and Motherhood: Perinatal Psychiatry in Practice

Presenting with Melanie Barrett, MD

Jennifer Tustison, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Jennifer Tustison, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

Session: From Trip to Treatment: Psychedelics in Modern Psychiatry

Presenting with Charles L. Raison, MD

Paige Oliver, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Paige Oliver, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

Session: Little Pearls, Big Impact: Optimizing the 15-Minute Med Check

Presenting with Mark Zimmerman, MD

Miriam Dineen, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych
Miriam Dineen, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-Psych

Session: Sexual Addictions and Intimacy Disorders: Evolving Models in Mental Health Treatment

Presenting with Brittany B. Albright, MD, MPH

Rebecca DePalma, DMSc, PA-C
Rebecca DePalma, DMSc, PA-C

Session: Telepsychiatry Today: Connection, Care, and Closing the Digital Gap

Presenting with Edward Kaftarian, MD

Rohit Aiyer, MD
Rohit Aiyer, MD

Session: Untangling the Overlap: Mixed Features, Anxiety, and Pain in Depressive Disorders

Presenting with Brooke Kempf, PMHNP-BC

Michelle Scargle, MD
Michelle Scargle, MD

Session: Brains, Wires, and Breakthroughs: From First-Line TMS to the Future of Psychiatric Neuromodulation

Presenting with Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C

Shelley O. Abadi, DNP, MBA, PMHNP-BC
Shelley O. Abadi, DNP, MBA, PMHNP-BC

Session: Beyond Symptom Control: Leveraging LAIs to Preserve Function in Schizophrenia

Presenting with Jonathan M. Meyer, MD

Taylor N. Crews, PMHNP-BC
Taylor N. Crews, PMHNP-BC

Session: Evolving Minds: Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan

Presenting with Craig Chepke, MD, DFAPA

Stephanie Kress, APRN, PMHNP-BC, LCSW, NE-PMC, RYT-200
Stephanie Kress, APRN, PMHNP-BC, LCSW, NE-PMC, RYT-200

Session: Personality Disorder or PTSD?- Diagnosis and Treatment of Complex PTSD

Presenting with Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH

*2024 Elevate Scholar

Whitney Trotter, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, RDL/LDN, RYT
Whitney Trotter, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, RDL/LDN, RYT

Session: Fueling the Brain: Nutrition and Metabolic Health in Psychiatry 

Presenting with James Greenblatt, MD

*2024 Elevate Scholar

Jordan M. Spencer, DO
Jordan M. Spencer, DO

Session: Substances on the Rise: What You Need to Know About Emerging Trends

Presenting with Arwen Podesta, MD

B. Nilaja Green, PhD
B. Nilaja Green, PhD

Session: Psychotherapy Meets Psychopharmacology: How Clinicians Can Collaborate for Better Outcomes

Presenting with Andrew D. Penn, MS, PMHNP-BC

Bryan Shapiro, MD
Bryan Shapiro, MD

Session: Deprescribing in Psychiatry: Tapering with Intention, Evidence, and Empathy

Presenting with Saundra Jain, MA, PsyD, LPC

Class of 2025 New & Emerging Voices

Aryandokht Fotros, MD, MSc
Aryandokht Fotros, MD, MSc
Avani Patel, MD, MHA*
Avani Patel, MD, MHA*
Ilang Guiroy, MD
Ilang Guiroy, MD
Latoya Frolov, MD, MPH
Latoya Frolov, MD, MPH
Steven Krozer, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, APRN
Steven Krozer, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, APRN
Roger Rivera, DNP, FNP, PMHNP-NC
Roger Rivera, DNP, FNP, PMHNP-NC
Jess Romeo, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, MSW
Jess Romeo, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN, MSW
Sarah Slabaugh, DO
Sarah Slabaugh, DO
Desiree Matthews presenting at Elevate

Interested in Becoming a Future New & Emerging Voice?

We're seeking new and emerging voices to take the stage at a future Elevate conference! If you're interested in learning more about joining our world-class faculty at future events, apply today!

Elevate attendees enjoying a presentation

View the Full Agenda

The 2026 meeting will feature keynotes, a robust three-track agenda, countless networking opportunities, and one-on-one access to thought leaders and driven colleagues who can help you take your career to the next level.

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