By Staff
Special to The Star
June 14, 2002
Weems Community Mental Health Center has expanded its professional staff with the addition of a psychiatrist.
Two new therapists also have joined the staff and one current therapist was promoted.
Dr. Grace Patricia Kelly-Evans accepted the position of psychiatrist in April. The New York City native received a medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she graduated with honors in psychiatry.
She earned her bachelor's degree in biology at Princeton University. She is board-certified in psychiatry.
Kelly-Evans previously was a psychiatrist for the East Mississippi Correctional Facility and East Mississippi State Hospital, as well as a family counselor in private practice.
She served as the medical director of Weems Community Mental Health Center from 1991 to 1996.
Beverly W. Allen joined Weems in April as a therapist in children and youth services. The Toomsuba native of earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Alabama and a master of arts from the University of Tennessee.
She recently returned to the Meridian area after living in Birmingham for 25 years.
Stephanie Jones, a Laurel native, joined Weems earlier this year as a child and adolescent therapist. She received a master's degree in guidance education from Alcorn State University. She is a provisional certified mental health therapist.
Latonia Willingham was recently promoted from case manager to children and adolescent therapist. Originally from York, Ala., Willingham attended the University of West Alabama where she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is a provisional certified mental health therapist.
In addition to Lauderdale County, Weems also serves Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Smith counties.