Why UTSW Psychiatry?

I will never forget my interview date at UTSW. Cliché? Perhaps, but it’s also not every day that the interview that could decide your next four years falls on Friday the 13th. But I’m getting ahead of myself. When applying for residency, I was particularly drawn to UTSW Psychiatry’s Rural and Public Mental Health Track, given my career interests in the fields of rural mental health delivery, advocacy, and telepsychiatry. My advisors emphasized that UTSW would provide a depth of psychiatric experience in the fields of consultation-liaison psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensics, addiction, geriatrics, and psychotherapy, with a diversity of training sites.

Even after my 8-hour drive to Dallas, the interview dinner on the 12th was a wonderful experience, with an equal number of residents and interviewees, and the conversation flowed freely. The residents demonstrated a great deal of passion and pride in their training while also raving about the support and encouragement they receive from the program to pursue their interests with a positive work-life balance.

On interview day, any thoughts I had of Dr. Brenner being Jason on this Friday the 13th were put to rest. My conversation with Dr. Brenner made it evident that program leadership was invested in each resident and focused on making residents into compassionate psychiatrists. The opportunity to tour Dallas and visit vital community organizations, all piled into a faculty member's SUV, was among the most memorable experiences of interview day.

From interview day to now, I am convinced that UTSW Psychiatry has some of the most passionate and dedicated residents and faculty, who are tirelessly trying to improve the lives of those suffering from mental illnesses. I am grateful to be in their company and am learning something new every day.

Career Goals

After residency, I will be pursuing a position working in state hospital systems. My predominant focus will be on acute and chronic psychotic spectrum illnesses while incorporating interventional techniques, particularly neuromodulation. I hope to continue to participate in the education of medical students and residents who rotate through state hospital systems. Outside of clinical responsibilities, I will continue to advocate for improving mental health delivery and access.

Education

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