COVER STORY:
Dr. Q
“The Art & Science of Excellence” At iKARE Mood Trauma Recovery Clinic Compassion and a passion for excellence simultaneously flow through Marlon Quinones. The San Antonio based psychiatrist, known to all as “Dr. Q.” has long been committed to providing the best, most innovative and optimistic treatments in combatting mental health illness. He defines excellence as “staying ahead of the curve with transparency, data and hope." His new iKARE Mood, Trauma, Recovery Clinic by iKARE is a vision of many equally committed medical and technology experts including Psychiatric Nurse Practioner Steve Check, tireless Patient Advocate Mr. Eli Elias II. BA, BS, Terry Beausejour M.D. and Ravindra Shah, PharmD, RPh. The clinic’s programs help more than those locally in need. From its northwest location of the city, help is offered throughout Texas. Defined, in part, as a disruptive medical condition affecting a person’s moods, feelings or ability to function, mental illness can negatively impact a patient’s handling of everyday life’s demands. Current figures from the Texas Health and Human Service’s office states 1 in 5 adults encountered a mental health concern during the past year. The number are even higher for children aged 9 -17. Twenty percent will be diagnosed with a mental illness in a 12-month period. Texas’s mental health care crisis and low-ranking of available services, in comparison to other US states, only further inspires Quinones. His quest is to liberate the afflicted from false beliefs and stereotypes of mental illness, as they regain productive lives. To achieve the goal, the Colombia-born native with psychiatry residency training at both the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill and University of Texas Health Science Center, founded iKARE earlier this year. The new facility serves as FIRST-MD’s clinical arm. FIRST-MD (Foundation for Innovative Research and Scientific Treatment of Mood Disorders) created in 2015, provides impactful research in the treatment of severe mental illnesses. It also fosters the education and training of mental health care providers. From an early and lasting affinity for research, Quinones, and his staff, are now able to put into practice their actual findings.