Edutours at the in-person 2025 Annual Meeting are designed to provide a unique experience and to change the way in which attendees think about psychiatric research, treatment, and care delivery.
Space is limited and reserving a spot requires a fee. Registration for EduTours is available as an add-on in the registration platform as you register for the in-person Annual Meeting. If you have already registered, visit the Registration Resource Center to add an EduTour to your registration.
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
The Twin Towers Correctional Facility, also referred to in the media as Twin Towers Jail, is a complex erected in Los Angeles, California. It is the world’s largest jail as well as the nation’s largest mental health facility. One known attribute is their approach of improving the overall medical health of prisoners to reduce incarcerations.
- Monday, May 19
- Noon – 4:00 p.m.
- Price: $99 Non-residents, $49 Residents
Confirmed registrants will board a bus leaving the Los Angeles Convention Center at 12:00 pm to arrive at the Twin Towers Facility by 12:30 p.m., and will return to the Convention Center, no later than by 4:00 p.m.
Visitors to Twin Tours must complete the following tasks prior to approval (no exceptions): (1) sign a waiver and (2) provide a copy (front and back) of a state/governmental ID (i.e., driver’s license). Registrants must provide these by April 30, 2025 (you will receive a separate email with instructions on how to upload these documents once you have registered).
Metropolitan State Hospital Museum
Metropolitan State Hospital Museum: The museum offers a small window into the past through which people can see how the state of California has treated those with mental illness during the last century. The opening of the museum coincided with the hospital’s celebration of its 100-year anniversary and its history of treating mental illness through psychiatry and care. Metropolitan is the third state hospital still in operation to reach 100 years in age.
- Tuesday, May 20
- 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
- Price: $35/attendee
Confirmed registrants will board a bus leaving the Los Angeles Convention Center at 1:00 pm to arrive at the State Hospital Museum by 1:30 p.m., and will return to the Convention Center by 3:30 p.m.
Visitors to the Museum must complete the following tasks prior to approval (no exceptions): (1) sign a waiver and (2) provide a copy (front and back) of a state/governmental ID (i.e., driver’s license). Registrants must provide these by April 30, 2025 (you will receive a separate email with instructions on how to upload these documents once you have registered).
Plant-forward Party and Picnic Pairings
Join us for an immersive culinary workshop where wellness meets celebration. Explore vibrant, plant-based dishes perfect for social gatherings, all while learning about the connection between nutrition and mental health. This interactive, hands-on session aligns with the pillars of lifestyle psychiatry, delivering evidence-based recipes that are both flavorful and functional.
- Tuesday, May 20
- Noon – 3:45 p.m.
- Price: $149
- Space is Limited. Register Today!
Confirmed registrants will board a bus leaving the Los Angeles Convention Center at Noon to arrive at Los Angeles Trade Technical College by 1:30 p.m., and will return to the Convention Center by 3:45 p.m.
Your Menu
- Barbecue Lentil Sliders
- Chocolate Brownie Hummus
- Plant-Based Potato Salad
- Plant-Based Slaw
- Roasted Garlic & Herb Bean Dip
- Rustic Berry Crumble
- Three Bean Sweet Potato Chili
Meet the Facilitators
- Meagan L. Grega, M.D.
Dr. Grega is Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Kellyn Foundation, a non-profit focused on healthy lifestyles. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and a former U.S. Navy Medical Officer, Dr. Grega is board certified in both Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, and serves as faculty for medical residency programs and at Temple University. Her expertise in community health and culinary education makes her a dynamic leader in lifestyle-driven wellness. - Eric J. Ruth
Mr. Ruth is Co-Founder and CEO of the Kellyn Foundation, with over 15 years of executive experience in management, finance, and marketing. His leadership focuses on empowering families and children through healthy lifestyle initiatives. His strategic and operational oversight has helped bring culinary education programs to diverse communities, making wellness accessible and engaging. - Chris Gauthier, D.O.
Dr. Gauthier is Chief Resident Physician in Psychiatry at St. Luke’s University Health Network. His focus on neuropsychiatry, integrative care, and LGBTQ+ mental health brings a holistic perspective to the culinary wellness experience. His passion for mental health education enriches this workshop with insights into the psychiatric benefits of lifestyle interventions.
Participants are advised to consider wearing non-slip shoes at their discretion for their safety during the culinary edutours. Additionally, we request that any participants with food allergies please inform us of their specific dietary needs by emailing [email protected] no later than April 28. This will help us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Participants will be formally briefed on-site by the staff of the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC). This orientation will include a comprehensive introduction to kitchen rules and etiquette, ensuring that all attendees are well-informed about the safety procedures and behavioral expectations necessary for a successful and enjoyable culinary experience. Additionally, waivers may be required depending on the composition of participants, to ensure compliance with all safety protocols.
Naturally Sweet: Guilt-Free Desserts for Brain Health
Indulge your sweet tooth while supporting mental wellness in this interactive culinary workshop centered on creating desserts that nourish the brain. Designed for health professionals and wellness enthusiasts alike, this session explores plant-based, low-glycemic recipes that align with lifestyle psychiatry principles.
Participants will prepare and sample a variety of guilt-free desserts, gaining practical skills in natural sweetening techniques, nutrient-dense ingredients, and mind-body culinary approaches. This hands-on session is led by clinical experts in integrative and lifestyle medicine, making it both educational and delicious.
- Monday, May 19
- Noon – 3:45 p.m.
- Price: $149
- Space is Limited. Register Today!
Confirmed registrants will board a bus leaving the Los Angeles Convention Center at Noon to arrive at Los Angeles Trade Technical College by 1:30 p.m., and will return to the Convention Center by 3:45 p.m.
Your Menu
- Omega-3 Powerhouse Cookies (Gluten Free)
- Chocolate Raspberry Tofu Pie
- Aquafaba Ice Cream - No Churn Ice Cream
- Okara Fluffy Pancakes
- Matcha Strawberry Chia Calming Clusters
- Mini Snicker Bites
- Date Paste: Caramel + Chocolate Sauce
Meet the Facilitators
- Melissa Mondala, M.D., M.H.A., M.S.
Dr. Mondala is a triple specialist in family medicine, lifestyle medicine, and primary care psychiatry, and is double board-certified in Family and Lifestyle Medicine. She earned her MD and MHA from Chicago Medical School, completed residency and fellowship at Loma Linda University, and is currently completing a fellowship with the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, awarded as a Public Health Site of Excellence, and core faculty at Loma Linda University, Dr. Mondala brings exceptional expertise in holistic wellness and culinary education. - Wil Wong, M.D.
Dr. Wong is a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente’s Redwood City Medical Center, specializing in integrative and nutritional psychiatry. He holds a medical degree from UC San Francisco and began his career with a foundation in biochemistry from UC Berkeley. A board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. Wong applies behavioral and nutritional interventions in clinical practice. He is also an avid plant-based culinary enthusiast, blending clinical insight with culinary creativity to promote brain health through food.
Participants are advised to consider wearing non-slip shoes at their discretion for their safety during the culinary edutours. Additionally, we request that any participants with food allergies please inform us of their specific dietary needs by emailing [email protected] no later than April 28. This will help us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Participants will be formally briefed on-site by the staff of the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC). This orientation will include a comprehensive introduction to kitchen rules and etiquette, ensuring that all attendees are well-informed about the safety procedures and behavioral expectations necessary for a successful and enjoyable culinary experience. Additionally, waivers may be required depending on the composition of participants, to ensure compliance with all safety protocols.
Healthy Mains for the Brain
Join internationally recognized experts for a culinary wellness experience centered on creating nutrient-rich, brain-healthy main dishes that align with the core principles of lifestyle psychiatry. This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed to equip participants with the skills to prepare whole-food, plant-based recipes that support mental and cognitive health.
Led by one of the most influential figures in Nutritional Psychiatry, this session offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge expertise, explore the science behind food and mood, and leave with actionable culinary skills to enhance personal wellness and patient care.
- Monday, May 19
- Noon – 3:45 p.m.
- Price: $149
- Space is Limited. Register Today!
Confirmed registrants will board a bus leaving the Los Angeles Convention Center at Noon to arrive at Los Angeles Trade Technical College by 1:30 p.m., and will return to the Convention Center by 3:45 p.m.
Your Menu
- Crispy Tikka Masala Tofu
- Spaghetti Squash Noodles with Walnut “Dressing”
- Cauliflower Steak with Miso Glaze
Meet the Facilitator
- Uma Naidoo, M.D.
Dr. Uma Naidoo is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and trained Nutrition Specialist, widely regarded as a pioneering authority in Nutritional Psychiatry. She is the Founder and Director of the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the U.S., based at Massachusetts General Hospital, and serves as Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at MGH. A faculty member at Harvard Medical School and acclaimed as Harvard’s Mood Food Expert, Dr. Naidoo is the author of two national bestsellers—This Is Your Brain on Food and Calm Your Mind with Food. Her expertise in the relationship between food, mood, and mental health has been featured in major publications, including The Wall Street Journal. Dr. Naidoo’s work is at the forefront of how dietary strategies can be used to manage and improve psychological and cognitive health, making this workshop an unparalleled learning opportunity for those interested in the clinical application of nutrition in mental well-being.
Participants are advised to consider wearing non-slip shoes at their discretion for their safety during the culinary edutours. Additionally, we request that any participants with food allergies please inform us of their specific dietary needs by emailing [email protected] no later than April 28. This will help us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Participants will be formally briefed on-site by the staff of the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC). This orientation will include a comprehensive introduction to kitchen rules and etiquette, ensuring that all attendees are well-informed about the safety procedures and behavioral expectations necessary for a successful and enjoyable culinary experience. Additionally, waivers may be required depending on the composition of participants, to ensure compliance with all safety protocols.