Credits Available: 4.75 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ with ABIM MOC

Description: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to one in seven women and is a leading cause of maternal morbidity, with profound implications for both the patient and her family. Untreated PPD can lead to chronic depression, impaired maternal-infant bonding, strained partner relationships, and long-term developmental challenges for the child. These effects are magnified when symptoms go unrecognized or untreated. Early and routine screening, integrated into obstetric and pediatric care, is essential to identify women at risk and initiate timely intervention. Collaborative care models where primary care or OB providers partner with behavioral health care managers and consulting psychiatrists offer a scalable, evidence-based approach to managing PPD. These models improve access to treatment, ensure close follow-up, and have demonstrated superior outcomes compared to standard care.

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This program is intended for:
Target Professions: DO, MD, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate/Assistant
Target Specialties: Obstetrics/Gynecology, Women's Health, Maternal Fetal Medicine

Joanne Patterson

Dr. Joanne Psychiatry

Joanne Patterson DNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC, affectionately known as Dr. Joanne, is a Syracuse, Emory, and Brandman University educated, nationally board certified family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and certified mental health integrative medicine practitioner. She has completed additional women's reproductive mental health and culinary medicine continuing education from Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy, Postpartum Support International and 2020 Mom. To further her clinical skillset, she is currently completing a culinary medicine specialist certification designation, where she will have a unique foundation for incorporating healthy eating into patients’ diets: comprehensive knowledge of nutrition, and the culinary techniques to prepare food that is consistent with real-world budgets, time constraints, and nutritional ideals.

Dr. Patterson is a highly skilled psychiatric nurse practitioner with a passion for empowering women on their mental health journeys. With extensive training and years of experience in the field, she specializes in treating a variety of mental health conditions that often affect women and teens, including anxiety, depression, postpartum challenges, and stress-related issues. While educated and board certified to treat children, adolescents, and adults experiencing mental illness, Dr. Patterson's interests include mental health access in the Caribbean, culinary medicine, pregnant/postpartum mental health, child & adolescent psychiatry, parent-child mental health and the mental health of gifted/twice exceptional individuals. Born and raised on the island of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, Dr. Patterson is elated to provide culturally appropriate care to the territory.
Her approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, recognizing that women face unique pressures and societal expectations that can impact their mental well-being. Dr. Patterson utilizes evidence-based practices and the latest research to inform her treatment plans, ensuring that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their individual needs and circumstances.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Patterson is committed to fostering a warm and welcoming environment where women feel comfortable sharing their experiences. She believes in empowering her patients through education, helping them to understand their mental health and the various treatment options available. Dr. Joanne is not just a mental health nurse practitioner, she is a compassionate ally dedicated to supporting patients in finding balance, resilience, and joy in their lives.

Dr. Patterson is the founder of Nurse Practitioner on Wheels®, the first tiny home mobile mental health clinic on wheels. With a warm and inviting interior, the innovative care model has resonated with America by accumulating 1.3 million views on Instagram. As an extension of Dr. Joanne Psychiatry, the tiny clinic gained the attention of CareSource, one of the largest managed care organizations in the United States and became an exclusive partner of Nurse Practitioner on Wheels in July 2024 to provide maternal and pediatric mental health services to underserved areas in Georgia. In November 2024, Dr. Patterson and Nurse Practitioners on Wheels® won the heart of The Emmy award winning Kelly Clarkson Show and was invited to highlight the work she is doing in maternal mental health. Other media appearances include Black Enterprise, The March of Dimes, Atlanta News First, and The Virgin Islands Source. In 2025, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association named her as Nurse Innovator of the Year for her innovative approach to providing maternal mental health care.