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2026 MPS Spring Education Program Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 Time: 8 AM to 5 PM, with award reception to follow Location: Courtyard by Marriott Edina Bloomington 4460 West 78th Street Circle, Bloomington, MN CLICK TO REGISTER TODAY ### Coming in early or live in the Twin Cities? Join us Friday night. On Friday, April 24, we’re hosting the MPS Residents & Emerging Leaders Forum — an intimate mentor roundtable event featuring Dr. Mark Frye, Dr. Monica Taylor-Desir, and APA President-elect Dr. Mark Rapaport. Residents will rotate through small-group discussions on Contracts & First Jobs, Leadership & Advocacy, and an open Ask Me Anything table. No slides. Just candid conversation about life after residency and the future of psychiatry. 👉 Learn more here. |
Deconstructing Stigma: Breaking Down Barriers to Care
The word stigma comes from the Latin for “mark” or “brand,” and arises earlier from the Greek for “tattoo.” In the English language, stigma first referred to a scar left by a hot iron. This origin speaks profoundly to the pain caused by all forms of stigma and its consequences in our society, including measurable impacts on health outcomes, treatment engagement, and access to care.
Stigma is “a mark of disgrace, shame or disapproval associated with a specific person, group, or circumstance, often leading to discrimination, exclusion, and negative stereotypes.” In other words, stigma separates “us” from “them.” Research has shown that stigma operates across multiple levels and can manifest as public (social disapproval), self (internalized shame), and structural (institutional policies), each contributing to disparities in care and clinical outcomes.
The MPS Spring Meeting will confront stigma in its various forms, exploring the evidence behind how stigma affects access to care and creates barriers to effective mental health treatment. Engage with APA President-elect Mark Rapaport, as we join forces to deconstruct stigma. Gain community perspectives on engagement and access, and examine how increasing health literacy can decrease barriers to care. Sessions will highlight how stigma reduction strategies can improve patient engagement and outcomes in both rural and urban communities.
Stigma is an all-too-human construct, and ongoing, evidence-informed effort is required to deconstruct old and current patterns. As this past winter has shown Minnesota, and Minnesota has shown the world: there is no “us” and “them.” There is only us, and the time is now to address stigma in ways that improve care for all.
Join your MPS colleagues this spring for an educational and inspiring gathering. There is power in community and in learning together.
The program concludes with an Awards & Cocktail Reception.
7.0 CME credit is available, and registration includes all meals and refreshments.
The word stigma comes from the Latin for “mark” or “brand,” and arises earlier from the Greek for “tattoo.” In the English language, stigma first referred to a scar left by a hot iron. This origin speaks profoundly to the pain caused by all forms of stigma and its consequences in our society, including measurable impacts on health outcomes, treatment engagement, and access to care.
Stigma is “a mark of disgrace, shame or disapproval associated with a specific person, group, or circumstance, often leading to discrimination, exclusion, and negative stereotypes.” In other words, stigma separates “us” from “them.” Research has shown that stigma operates across multiple levels and can manifest as public (social disapproval), self (internalized shame), and structural (institutional policies), each contributing to disparities in care and clinical outcomes.
The MPS Spring Meeting will confront stigma in its various forms, exploring the evidence behind how stigma affects access to care and creates barriers to effective mental health treatment. Engage with APA President-elect Mark Rapaport, as we join forces to deconstruct stigma. Gain community perspectives on engagement and access, and examine how increasing health literacy can decrease barriers to care. Sessions will highlight how stigma reduction strategies can improve patient engagement and outcomes in both rural and urban communities.
Stigma is an all-too-human construct, and ongoing, evidence-informed effort is required to deconstruct old and current patterns. As this past winter has shown Minnesota, and Minnesota has shown the world: there is no “us” and “them.” There is only us, and the time is now to address stigma in ways that improve care for all.
Join your MPS colleagues this spring for an educational and inspiring gathering. There is power in community and in learning together.
The program concludes with an Awards & Cocktail Reception.
7.0 CME credit is available, and registration includes all meals and refreshments.
Final Agenda
Flipping the Mental Health Dialogue: Now is the Time - Plenary Keynote
Mark Rapaport, MD, President-elect American Psychiatric Association
Stigma, Help-Seeking, and Professional Monitoring Realities for Clinicians
Kimberly Navarre, MS, LMFT - Program Director, Minnesota Health Professionals Services Program
Structural Stigma, Access to Care, and the Legislative Landscape
Izzy Rojas, Momentum Advocacy
Increasing Health Literacy to Decrease Stigma and Barriers to Care
Kathleen Yost, PhD, Health Services Research, Mayo Clinic
Flash Talk | Diagnostic Overshadowing and Mental Health
Maria de Guadalupe Jimenez Ayasta, MD and Michael Dinhm, MD - PGY2 University of MN
Flash Talk | When a House is Not a Home: Considerations for Patients with Unstable Housing
Terence Meyerhoefer, MD, MS - PGY4 Mayo Clinic
Beyond the Clinic: Community Perspectives on Stigma, Engagement, and Access
Facilitator: Monica Taylor-Desir, MD
-Nicholas Rasmussen, NAMI MN
-Jode Freyholtz-London, CEO, Wellness in the Woods
-Chad Bolstrom +, Vail Communities
-Tolulope Ola, PhD, MPH, Founder/Executive Director Restoration For All
Stigma as a Psychiatrist: An Interactive Discussion
Mark Rapaport, MD, President-elect American Psychiatric Association
Fear, Trust and Access: Seeking mental health care in rural Minnesota
Marnie Werner, MPP, Vice President of Research and Operations, Center for Rural Policy & Development
Tracie Rutherford Self, PhD, LPCC, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University Mankato and Center for Rural Behavioral Health
Flipping the Mental Health Dialogue: Now is the Time - Plenary Keynote
Mark Rapaport, MD, President-elect American Psychiatric Association
Stigma, Help-Seeking, and Professional Monitoring Realities for Clinicians
Kimberly Navarre, MS, LMFT - Program Director, Minnesota Health Professionals Services Program
Structural Stigma, Access to Care, and the Legislative Landscape
Izzy Rojas, Momentum Advocacy
Increasing Health Literacy to Decrease Stigma and Barriers to Care
Kathleen Yost, PhD, Health Services Research, Mayo Clinic
Flash Talk | Diagnostic Overshadowing and Mental Health
Maria de Guadalupe Jimenez Ayasta, MD and Michael Dinhm, MD - PGY2 University of MN
Flash Talk | When a House is Not a Home: Considerations for Patients with Unstable Housing
Terence Meyerhoefer, MD, MS - PGY4 Mayo Clinic
Beyond the Clinic: Community Perspectives on Stigma, Engagement, and Access
Facilitator: Monica Taylor-Desir, MD
-Nicholas Rasmussen, NAMI MN
-Jode Freyholtz-London, CEO, Wellness in the Woods
-Chad Bolstrom +, Vail Communities
-Tolulope Ola, PhD, MPH, Founder/Executive Director Restoration For All
Stigma as a Psychiatrist: An Interactive Discussion
Mark Rapaport, MD, President-elect American Psychiatric Association
Fear, Trust and Access: Seeking mental health care in rural Minnesota
Marnie Werner, MPP, Vice President of Research and Operations, Center for Rural Policy & Development
Tracie Rutherford Self, PhD, LPCC, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University Mankato and Center for Rural Behavioral Health
Accreditation and Designation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Minnesota Psychiatric Society. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the
healthcare team.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Minnesota Psychiatric Society. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the
healthcare team.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Share your work, spark conversation, and help shape the future of psychiatric practice in Minnesota.
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Secure your spot for a day of timely learning, practical insights, and meaningful connection with colleagues across Minnesota.
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Exhibitor spots have been filled.
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