ST U D E N T S U CC E SS
MAKING A STAND for Mental Health as a PA
Sherlonda Adkins, PA-C, has been working as a psychiatric physician assistant (PA) since graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina’s PA school in 2014. While also working part-time for four and a half years in internal medicine, Adkins saw the reality of the statistic that one out of four primary care patients has some type of mental health problem. She committed to utilizing her influence to increase awareness of mental health and the importance of seeking professional help. “Being a trusted voice to encourage patients to follow up on other health problems and navigate interpersonal relationships has been a big staple in the care I provide for my patients,” said Adkins. PAs have a well-rounded medical education so she uses that to help her patients holistically. “Even if my patients are coming to me specifically for help just with managing symptoms of depression, I take the holistic approach, and as a PA that’s the education we have. We’re trained and board-certified, and that certification comes with knowing all the body systems, and it comes in handy because not all depression is primary depression. It could be depression that is secondary to a change in another medication, maybe blood pressure medication. It could be a problem with an abnormal thyroid,” explained Adkins. “These are ways I 17
utilize my comprehensive education to help me when seeing a patient.” Adkins currently manages her own telepsychiatry practice, PsychMyWay, the first psychiatry PA-owned practice in the state of South Carolina. When she started the practice in January 2020, she decided to also go back to school with the thought that the added credibility of having a doctorate would be helpful in establishing her practice in South Carolina. “And it was a way for me to increase my knowledge in psychiatry,” said Adkins.
“As many people and organizations were desperately seeking help with mental health strategies and wanting to learn about telemedicine,” Adkins was asked to speak, write articles, and consult because of her experiences.
She added, “I am big on clinicians continuing their education. I believe that you should constantly learn and perfect your craft.”
Adkins remains incredibly busy as she not only runs her own practice, provides patient care, and is working toward her doctoral degree, but she also mentors potential PA students, trains current PA students, lectures at her alma mater and the South Carolina PA’s annual conference, writes and records self-help tips on her social media (@psychmyway), consults with others interested in telemedicine, and advocates for black healthcare providers.
Adkins is currently a student in the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program at Rocky
For example, in 2020, Adkins started the Black PAs of South Carolina group, a group dedicated to supporting
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i am big on clinicians continuing their education. i believe that you should constantly learn and perfect your craft.”
Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP).
Black healthcare providers and Black PA students in South Carolina.
Aside from returning to school in 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic presented Adkins with special opportunities as someone experienced in telemedicine.
Support is a crucial component to success in life, and Adkins understands that well. Adkins was in her early thirties when she decided to start the journey to become a PA, and her journey was met with challenges.