Speaker

Dr. Jessica Pogran DO

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Pogran is a Monmouth County native and grew up on the Jersey Shore. She is a proud graduate of the first class of the Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Loyola University in Maryland, where she served as the president of the LGBTQ and allies group, Spectrum, and was a member of the Choice Alcohol and Drug Education Team. She obtained her medical degree at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She completed her general psychiatry residency and her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Millcreek Community Hospital, part of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. While in residency and in fellowship, she served as the Chief Resident for three years. She also obtained her Master of Medical Education at LECOM while in residency. She is board certified in psychiatry and board eligible in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Dr. Jessica's Presentations

keynote

The Magic of Common Language

And Panel Discussion

This session champions the reality that mental health is not binary. Everyone’s mental health lives and moves on a “continuum,” or in simpler words, a “Scale” that stretches from “Thriving” to “Sinking.” The most common question asked every day is: “How are you?” Because there is no common language in mental health, the most common answers are: “Good, Fine, OK.” None of these are actual responses, nor do they help us see trends or track changes in the way we think/feel/function/perform.

This interactive workshop introduces the SameHere Scale (based on “Polyvagal,” Dr. Stephen Porges) in both hard copy and app formats. Participants will learn about the balance between our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system responses, and how that balance can be compromised. They will learn about movement on the SameHere Scale – and how someone’s Scale “position” can be discovered based on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors they are experiencing. Attendees will walk away with a common language to do check-ins with patients, clients, students or whomever attendees do their clinical and/or advocacy work with.

A panel discussion will examine how this language can be brought into various integrative modalities.

Workshop

You are (Mentally) What You Eat

In the workshop, participants will delve into the intricate relationship between the brain and the gut at a biological level. Throughout the session, attendees will unravel the significance of gut health in the context of mental illness, shedding light on how our dietary choices profoundly impact our mental well-being. Through a comprehensive exploration, participants will gain insights into the mechanisms underlying this connection, equipping them with a deeper understanding of how diet influences mental health outcomes.

The workshop aims to empower participants with actionable knowledge and practical strategies to enhance mental well-being through dietary interventions. By examining the intersection of nutrition and mental health, attendees will uncover evidence-based practices to support optimal brain function and emotional resilience. Moreover, through interactive discussions and case studies, participants will learn how to implement dietary modifications effectively, fostering a holistic approach to mental health maintenance.