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Community Highlights: Meet Vivian Thomas of Mergence Mental Health & Wellness


Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivian Thomas

Hi Vivian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, and moved to the United States in my late teens. I have always loved medicine and people, so I became a Critical care/Trauma Registered Nurse for about a decade. Nevertheless, I was always eager to keep learning and serving the community in different capacities, so I returned to school and became an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I worked in many fantastic places before eventually earning a Doctorate in Psychiatry and Mental Health. Furthermore, honoring my initial Master’s degree in Clinical Education, I joined Nova Southeastern University and teach as an adjunct professor.

Always driven by a deep interest in reaching out and participating in activities of change, I have been an active volunteer of several non-profit organizations, including Operation Smile and La Caridad Center. Inspired by their work and dedication, I founded my non-profit organization, Sharing Hearts Foundation, to help children in my country, Colombia, to have access to education and school supplies. In addition to founding an organization, I have established my own psychiatric practice and am proud to say it is running successfully.

Being a part of a mixed-ethnic Hispanic growing community in the USA and seeing the never-ending changes we all encounter day to day, I feel and see the struggles. Still, I clearly see the growing tenacity and intensity of so many individuals who are determined to foster a healthier lifestyle, overcome past traumas, and create a lasting, happy future. I felt I had the background, tools, and understanding of what it is to make the American dream possible and all the work involved.
Every single day, I make a conscious effort to bridge the gap between individuals who are eager to embark on a new journey. I aim to initiate constructive conversations that touch on relevant topics, with the intent of slowly breaking down common misconceptions that obstruct our ability to understand love and our self-worth.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, that is an interesting question. It is hard to measure whether it has been smooth or not. I believe that there is a “moving forward motion ” that I am always on. When times are fast-paced, I embrace and take deep breaths; when they are slow-paced, I try to see the collateral beauty around me. I feel there are” struggles” per se, but that is how we all learn and become better humans.

We’ve been impressed with Mergence Mental Health & Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and my business, “Mergence Psychiatric, Mental Health & Wellness,” is dedicated to treating mental health conditions with an emphasis on personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

I have always been interested in the people around me. I have been a nurse for almost two decades and an NP for about 10 20 years, working at the hospital. I saw the true nature of happiness, suffering, and the in-between. I always wanted to know what makes anyone excited, move, progress, and sometimes regress. I want to know the one thing you can miss most and what you can live without.

When I was working at the hospital, I saw so many people living with sadness and anxiety, just trying to address the day-to-day, unable to get outside. I decided to investigate what could make a little difference in understanding the intricacies of the mind. I have a holistic, collaborative approach to helping clients reach their health and personal goals.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
First, I would like to give a shoutout to my fabulous two kids, who keep me honest in my work and focused on tomorrow’s world. Because I want a better, cleaner world for them, I am trying daily to pave a solid road to success in which they can face their struggles and challenges without carrying the traumas of the past.
Something surprising: I love cooking! I love it more with good, upbeat, out-loud Hispanic/Latin music. I am convinced that the food gets that salsa flavor, and tastes better.

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