LATASHA ELLIS, PHD, LCSW, LISW-CP, OSW-C

Latasha Ellis, PhD, LCSW, LISW-CP, OSW-C, a licensed clinical social worker, entrepreneur, and educator with over 22 years of post-graduate experience in the field of medical social work and mental health. For over 16 years, she has committed her career to working in an acute care hospital serving patients with chronic illness, more specifically patients with end stage renal disease, cancer, cardiac disease, and chronic lung disease. Dr. Ellis is currently a certified oncology social worker through the American Board of Oncology Social Workers. During her tenure, she developed the hospital’s psychosocial oncology program, which provides programs and services to assist oncology patients adjust to the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Though currently in private practice, Dr. Ellis continues to work closely with area primary care providers to help patients managing chronic illness, understand advance care planning, and bridge the gap between physical health and emotional health.

Dr. Ellis values the impact of culture on healthcare practices, outcomes, and the patient-provider relationship. Her research titled, Culture into Practice: African American Doctor-Patient Dyad, explored the subjective experience of African American general practitioners as they treated same race patients with depression.

In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Ellis is an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and Walden University School of Social Work. She has also presented live seminars on topics like "Managing Challenging Patient and Family Behaviors" and "Challenging Geriatric Behaviors."

Dr. Ellis holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from Morgan State University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Institute for Clinical Social Workers in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ellis also holds a Certificate of Clinical Supervision from the National Association of Social Workers, a Certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care from the University of Michigan School of Social Work.