We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrina Dow a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Patrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

A defining moment for us with the HLC Maternal and Family Mental Health Research Center came when my twin sister Dr. Latrina Thomas and I realized that there was a strong need in the community that wasn’t being met through traditional approaches. Hearing directly from families and the community about what they were struggling with, mental health access, childcare, stability, food insecurity…made it clear that these weren’t isolated stories, but they were data points pointing to bigger systemic gaps.

This realization changed our trajectory. It inspired us to grow our Research Center into more than just a community effort. It became a place where lived experience meets evidence-based research. We began focusing on gathering real data, advocating for resources, and doing the hands-on, boots-on-the-ground work that turns research into action.

The biggest lesson we learned from that shift is that true change starts with listening. When you let the community guide the research, the solutions become more meaningful, sustainable, and real life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The HLC Maternal & Family Mental Health Research Center was founded by Latrina and me. We both earned our doctorates in Marriage and Family Therapy, with research focused on mental wellness within the family system. Over time, we saw how many families, especially mothers in rural and underserved areas, were struggling to access the kind of care and support they needed. Witnessing and even experiencing this was a big inspiration for us.

Our mission is to advance maternal and family mental health by reducing disparities through culturally responsive research, transformative consulting, advocacy, and community outreach. In everything we do, we aim to provide knowledge, resources, and support that truly improve access and outcomes for women, mothers, and families.

What makes us different is that we combine data and lived experience. We listen directly to the community and let those stories guide our research and advocacy. We’re most proud of building a space where evidence and empathy meet, where research doesn’t just sit on a shelf, but helps families thrive and communities grow stronger.

We’re a proud 501(c)(3) organization, and although we’re still growing, we’ve already made a strong impact, participating in local conferences and national events in places like Atlanta and Washington, D.C. We’re truly excited about the direction we’re headed and the opportunities ahead to keep expanding our reach and impact.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and education, personal experience has been the biggest part of our foundation. Growing up, we watched the women in our family carry incredible strength through challenges, and that shaped how we view resilience, community, and care. Even in the times when we had our own struggles or had to balance motherhood with minimal resources such as access to childcare. Those experiences gave us a deep sense of empathy and purpose; they remind us that behind every statistic is a real family, a real story, and a reason to keep doing this work.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely. This work is truly purpose-driven for us. Every project, every family story, and every collaboration reminds us why we started this in the first place. Even with the challenges that come with building something new and everlasting, the impact we’ve been able to make, and the lives we’ve touched so far, makes it all worth it. We wouldn’t choose any other path.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hlcresearchcenter.org
• Instagram: hlcresearchcenter
• Facebook: HLC Maternal & Family Mental Health Research Center
• Linkedin: HLC Maternal & Family Mental Health Research Center
• Youtube: theHLCResearchCenter