Chaffee, Thomas, MD

I am an academic psychiatrist working in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up in Kansas City, went to Kansas State University for my undergraduate degree, the University of Kansas for medical school, and the University of Michigan for residency. I am currently employed as an academic psychiatrist in the heart of downtown Kansas City, MO. I work for University Health, which has an affiliation with the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). I have a variety of roles within the department – primarily working with patients with serious and persistent mental illness. I see patients in the office, the community (often doing home visits or doing outreach at homeless shelters or camps), and jail. We have been building a relationship with the judges at the Kansas City Municipal Court – helping to provide mental health care for those incarcerated with city charges. I also have an informal relationship with the UMKC athletic department and see many of the athletes with mental health needs. I recently accepted a position as Assistant Residency Director and enjoy teaching both medical students and residents. I find a deep satisfaction helping patients, who because of their mental illness and systemic inequities, struggle to access basic human needs. I enjoy working within a community of providers and staff who share the same passion.

Presentation(s):

The Justice System, Mental Illness, and Mental Health Court

Sohl, Kristin, MD, FAAP

Dr. Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP is a Professor of Clinical Child Health at the University of Missouri, Executive Director of ECHO Autism and Scientific Advisor for the National Institutes of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, and Medical Director for MU Missouri Telehealth Network and the MU Office of Continuing Medical Education. She is a pediatrician with extensive experience in medical diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of children with a concern of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Sohl is regarded as an expert in quality and process improvement particularly for comprehensive autism diagnostic and longitudinal services. She is the founder of ECHO Autism, an innovative framework to increase community capacity to care for children with autism. It is viewed as a national model in expanding autism diagnosis and treatment to underserved and rural populations. The ECHO Autism team has established partnerships with other children’s hospitals and autism centers in more than 40 locations in the United States and 15 international locations. Dr. Sohl is a tireless advocate for children and enjoys engaging other physicians in being a voice for children’s health. She is the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Missouri Chapter. She completed medical school and pediatric residency at the University of Missouri.

Presentation(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Developing a Deeper Understanding 

Andrews, Crestin, DO

Dr. Crestin Andrews is the current chief resident and incoming academic chief resident at the University of Missouri Columbia Psychiatry Program. She completed dual bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, then graduated medical school from A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. She discovered her passion for mental health during a service trip abroad to Egypt, after which she went on to establish a global service initiative centering around teaching preventative health measures to groups of youth internationally. Endlessly fascinated by the complexities of the mind, the study of nonverbal communication is one avenue on her continual pursuit of understanding the human condition. In her spare time, Crestin enjoys playing guitar, exploring nature, and learning about all things NASA and space travel!

Presentation(s):

Body Talks: The Covert Language of Nonverbal Communication

Higginbotham, Jennifer, MSW, LCSW

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University. While at the Brown School of Social Work, Jennifer was first introduced to Independence Center as a practicum student. She was instantly passionate about the Clubhouse Model approach of psychosocial rehabilitation. Jennifer is on the Faculty for Clubhouse Development as well as the Advisory Council for Clubhouse International. She has also been instrumental in mentoring the other Clubhouses in Missouri and initiated the first Clubhouse Coalition in the state. Jennifer received the Mortimer Goodman Mental Health Professional award from NAMI St. Louis. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is currently the Chief Program Officer at Independence Center where she has worked for 36 years.
Presentation(s):

Rose, Yvette, DNP

Dr. Rose been a faculty member in the nursing department since 2008, teaching in the areas of Mental Health, Transcultural Nursing, and Leadership. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Governors State University (2015), Master of Science in Nursing (2007) from Governors State University, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1998) from Olivet Nazarene University. She holds a Parish Nursing Certificate from Olivet Nazarene University (1999). Her professional nursing experience has been in geriatric nursing, acute and long-term care, mental health, and case management.

Dr. Rose have a strong commitment to mental health (Veterans and African American Father/Loss and Grief), education, community service, diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Presentation(s):

Barbershop Talk: Grief and Bereavement in Black Fathers After the Loss of a Spouse/Partner

 

Luetjen, Chad

As a 14 year veteran of state service and a current member of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) Organizational Learning Team I have held many positions with DHEWD including Case Manager, Customer and Technical Support Unit, and Office of Apprenticeship and work based learning. In that time I have had first-hand knowledge providing and assisting with providing services offered by our full service Job Centers. In my current roll I create and present training to DHEWD state staff and partner agencies.

Presentation(s):

Missouri Job Center Services

Brooks, Estelle, MSW

Estelle Brooks is a certified fitness instructor with a master’s degree in Social Work. Estelle has over 35 years of experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her professional training as a social worker has allowed her to correlate the importance of mental health status. She is an energetic 69-year-old that finds joy in assisting people individually or in large group settings to achieve optimal health and fitness and life-changing goals. She encourages and supports people to take care of themselves spiritually, mentally, physically, and creatively.

Presentation(s):

YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING “Balancing Your Life”

Sandidge, Isaac, MA

Isaac Sandidge graduated from Eastern Ilinois University with an MA in Gerontology. He has over 7 years of experience as a clinician in community behavioral health centers. Sandidge organized, implemented and conducted New Employee Orientation for all staff within the community behavioral health organizations on topics such as Motivational Interviewing, Recovery Oriented Services, Personal Growth, Life Safety, Corporate Compliance, Trauma-Informed Care and Compassion Fatigue, Enhancing Consumer Engagement, ASAM, Golden Thread, IL Rule 132, DLA-20, PHQ9, and Mental Health First Aid. He is currently an instructor in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid with certification in Public Safety, Higher Education, and Older Adult modules of the program. Sandidge is also an instructor for CALM (Counseling on Reducing Access to Lethal Means, and Conversations on Reducing Access to Lethal Means).

Presentation(s):

Compassion Fatigue

Rapp, Sherry, AAS

Sherry Rapp is a certified Missouri Recovery Support Specialist. For the past three years she has been employed at Recovery Lighthouse as the Family Advocate for the Family Recovery Program. She co-facilitates recovery workshops, the local family support group, holds community events to reduce stigma, and meets with families as needed to provide support and resources. Prior to this job, Sherry worked for other 15 years in the legal community at the Johnson County Circuit Clerks office and 13 years in a private attorney office. She identifies as a mother in recovery and brings her lived experience along with learned skills as MRSS to the role of the Family Advocate at Recovery Lighthouse.

Presentation(s):

Engaging Families in Services: The Family Recovery Program

Burgen, Kailey, BS

Kailey Burgen graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development and a minor in Psychology. She is a graduate student at the University of Central Missouri’s Human Development and Family Science program with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her clinical/research interests include adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience, addiction in the family, and diversity and social justice. Kailey has multiple years of experience working with children and their families in several professional capacities including being a mentor and social emotional learning specialist at an afterschool program and working in early-childhood education as a preschool teacher.

Presentation(s):

Adverse and Protective Childhood Experiences: Risk and Resilience