Dr. Mekeshia Bates, a retired United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officer, is the CEO of Gift of Dreams Wellness and Consulting, LLC and an associate minister at Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs, MD. She has experience in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, pastoral counseling, geriatrics, forensics, and addictions. Through her company, she works with churches to establish the infrastructure and systems needed to provide high quality culturally competent, biblically based behavioral health and wellness services to their congregations. Additionally, she provides behavioral health consultation services to businesses and organizations.
Dr. Bates enjoys traveling, attending cultural events, and watching sports. Her personal motto is “you may be disappointed if you fail but you are doomed if you don’t try.” She believes that change starts with the person you see in the mirror and strives to be a role model for those that believe that dreams do come true.