In The Presence of Greatness!: How the Black Psychiatrists of America Continues to Inspire and Shape My Journey
As part of PRMS' ongoing commitment to behavioral health, we invited Dr. Stacia Hollingsworth, MD, MHS, a Meharry Medical College Second Year Psychiatry Resident, to be featured as a guest blogger this month. Dr. Hollingsworth reflects on her experience attending the 2025 Black Psychiatrists of America (BPA) Spring Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, which PRMS was delighted to support.
Dr. Stacia Hollingsworth at the 2025 BPA Spring Conference
I will never forget the first time I walked into the room at a Black Psychiatrists of America (BPA) Conference – I was a medical student, and the 2023 Spring Conference happened to be held at my medical school! Of course I knew I had to go, but I had no idea how much of a lasting impact the experience would have on me. The moment I walked into that room I felt the energy, the legacy, and the brilliance in the air. It was truly electric! I got actual chills as I looked around and saw a room full of Black psychiatrists, residents, students, leaders, and visionaries, people who looked like me, who understood me, and who had carved paths through medicine that I dream of walking! The excitement was magnetic, the conversations were incredible, and the sense of pride and purpose was overwhelming in the most beautiful way. I left that conference with a sense of belonging, an even greater sense of purpose, and affirmation that one day I would be an amazing psychiatrist who will make positive impacts in the world of Black mental health.
Reunited and it Feels so Goooood!: The BPA 2025 Spring Conference
Going to my second BPA conference felt like returning home. The moment I stepped into the room, I felt that same electric energy I remembered from the first meeting, and reconnecting with mentors who have poured into me over the years and seeing the friends I’ve made now thriving as residents and soon-to-be attendings filled me with so much joy.
The presentations were phenomenal – they were deeply informative, thought-provoking, and incredibly relevant to the work I hope to do as a future psychiatrist. What moved me most was how perfectly the content aligned with my passion for improving mental health outcomes in marginalized communities. From culturally responsive care to addressing systemic barriers, every presentation affirmed my purpose and equipped me with knowledge I can apply as I grow into the psychiatrist I’m meant to be. One presentation in particular, “Incorporating Plant and Psychedelic Science into Residency Training,” really stood out to me. Prior to the presentation I knew little to nothing about plant and psychedelic science or how it can be used in the treatment of mental illness. I was captivated by the research being shared on how plant-based compounds are showing promise in treating various mental health conditions. The discussions weren’t just academic, they were visionary; rooted in science, but guided by compassion and cultural awareness. I learned how these treatments have the potential to revolutionize mental health care, especially for communities historically excluded from innovation and healing. It expanded my view of what’s possible in the field of psychiatry and sparked a deep curiosity to explore how these tools might one day help me bring more effective, holistic care to the people I serve. I was even able to attend a lecture series on this topic post-conference, an opportunity I would not have been aware of had I not had the privilege of attending the BPA Spring 2025 Conference!
Passing the Torch: From Mentee to Mentor
One of my favorite things about the BPA is the organization’s dedication to mentoring, supporting, and uplifting the next generation of Black psychiatrists. I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing mentors I have thanks to the BPA – I look up to them tremendously and hope one day I can be as impactful, brilliant, and inspiring as them. It looks like I’m off to a great start because I had the privilege of meeting some incredible students at the conference and am putting my all into giving them the same love, support, and guidance that has been given to me.
This conference was a powerful reminder of the strength of our community, the importance of showing up, and the magic that happens when we do. By the end of the conference, I felt reenergized, and full of knowledge, pride, and purpose! The conference reminded me why I chose psychiatry and why representation matters; I saw the future of our field and it looks like us! So, if you’re a student, resident, psychiatrist, or someone working within or even just interested in the mental health field, and you’re wondering if attending a BPA conference is worth it, IT IS! GO! Find your people. Find your inspiration. The Black Psychiatrists of America isn’t just an organization, it’s a family and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. I’m already counting down the days until next year’s Spring Conference. I cannot thank PRMS, VA Gladiators, and BPA leadership enough for the support, generosity, and kindness you all showed me that made it possible for me to attend this amazing conference. I look forward to being able to follow in those footsteps one day and pay it forward by affording a budding future psychiatrist the same opportunity. Thank you!
If you have any questions or are interested in receiving a quote, contact PRMS at (800) 245-3333 or TheProgram@prms.com.