Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Marcelline Girlie.
Hi Dr. Girlie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Since childhood, I have always been intrigued with healthcare and science. Caring for others came easy for me. I was often caught listening to people’s heartbeats, assessing their eyes, and looking at areas of the body that people would complain of pain. I wanted to know why it hurts and what I can do to help them feel better. From a young age, the library became a place of discovery and joy for me. I would be in the local public library for hours reading books and magazines that pertained to healthcare. I would try to impress my parents with health facts often which motivated them to take me to doctors’ appointments with them. Being of Haitian descent, I was often asked to translate to my mother as she attended her appointments, and because of this, I was able to ask her primary care provider as many questions that came to my mind. I would be at my mother’s bedside post-surgeries to care for her and learn from the nurses who cared for her. And my love for healthcare blossomed into a passion I could not resist. Upon graduating high school, I attended ‘The Great’ Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. I learned about culture, African American history, and the health disparities that plagued our communities. My love for healthcare grew and I pursued a degree in Nursing. I am so proud of this accomplishment! I worked in the medical-surgerical units, emergency department, and critical care after graduation. I was one of those people that wanted to experience everything, so I can find my place of purpose. Although those times were rewarding and built my experience, I always felt the need to pursue more. So, I enrolled into Robert Morris University in Pittsburg, PA, where I pursued my master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing practice. I specialized as a Family Nurse Practitioner and upon graduation worked in primary care and pediatrics. While in pediatrics, I found that many of my patients complained of physical ailments that were a result of a mental illness, and this sparked an interest in psychiatry. I soon found myself spending time with patients trying to identify causes of mental distress. I couldn’t help myself, so I enrolled for certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I was so excited that I would be able to not only help people maintain their physical health, but assist with their mental health. It was a win-win and a done deal. Soon after, I started working in an integrative setting caring for mental health yet being able to identify physical ailments. I was finally doing my ‘purpose’ work. I have had the opportunity to work closely with local healthcare initiatives and research opportunities. I’ve been privileged to speak on various platforms about healthcare in general. I began advocating for the mental health disparities that affect the black/brown communities. As well as volunteer work which filled me with gratitude. I wanted to motivate others and build confidence. So much so I started a boutique to inspire and build confidence in plus-size/ curvy women. I then co-founded a nonprofit family literacy program to help those who cannot read. (My sister and I taught my mother how to read while we were in elementary school). I couldn’t help myself; if I saw a problem, I wanted to bring a solution.
In 2021, after the birth of my daughter, I realized I wanted to be able to have the freedom to practice mental healthcare in a more accessible and convenient way while also having the flexibility I needed as a mother of 2 and wife. And my telepsychiatry practice was born, giving me the ability to see patients at their convenience by removing the barriers to care. And since the launch of the practice in May of 2022, I can finally say that I have found my place of purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been smooth because high school and college in my day did not teach me about business. My biggest struggle was getting over the fear of failure. Prior to being an entrepreneur, I often wondered how people made the decision to start a business; did they have guidance; did they work a W2 job; did they save prior to starting. I had so many questions and not much guidance, but I jumped in anyway and figured that if I failed the workforce would always be willing and ready to take me back. The emotional and mental struggle has been the biggest hurdle because although you may have some wins, you will also have some losses and how you respond to each moment mentally is key to how you continue to be successful in business. I also struggled with what others thought about my business ventures, but soon realized that I didn’t need the validation of others. There is a saying that “if you build it, they will come,” and once I realized this to be true, I continued building, and the response towards my businesses was the only validation I needed.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Vivid Minds Mental Care, LLC?
Vivid Minds Mental Care was founded to provide compassionate, comprehensive, and convenient mental health care. We pride ourselves that our location is wherever our patients are by providing telepsychiatry services with a warm touch. Providing accessibility to care, prioritizing our patients’ time, and providing comfort as well as privacy when our patients need it most. Patient consultations are based on the latest research in preventive medicine and treatment modalities that meet the highest standards of care. Vivid Minds Mental Care serves the lifespan from children age 5 years to adulthood, guiding patients to complete health in mind, body, and spirit. We emphasize collaborative care with various specialties in order to provide an integrative approach to wholeness and wellness.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in good luck, bad luck, or random chance. I believe God! Luck presumes that there’s no one in control. I don’t believe that for one minute because according to the Bible, God is in control of even the smallest details of my life. God knows me, He loves me, and He’s involved in every aspect of my life. Nothing is too big or too small to take to Him or invite Him into. Nothing is too big or too small in which to ask for His blessing. Luck is a roll of a dice, and faith in God is my blessed assurance that I will win. God has blessed me with an amazing husband and 2 miracle babies after failed fertility treatments. God has given me a community of people that loves me. He has trusted me to steward my work well for the benefit of others. I have more than I will ever need despite my shortcomings because of Jesus Christ. Luck cannot be compared to my trust and faith in God.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vividmindscare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vividmindsmentalcare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vividmindsmentalcare
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vivid-minds-mental-care/
