Adult and Child Psychiatry
Please tell us something about yourself?
I was born and raised in Northern California and lived all over the country.
I attended undergraduate at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville Virginia
where I studied chemistry. I then attended medical school at the University
of Minnesota. I completed my Adult Psychiatry residency at the University
of California, Los Angeles Semel Institute in Westwood. I then completed
Child and Adolescent Fellowship also at UCLA Semel Institute. I enjoy
spending time with my husband and many 4-legged children.
Please explain your passion for psychiatry and teaching residents?
Like many psychiatrist, my passion for psychiatry began after witnessing
several members of my family struggle with mental illness, and a desire
to relieve this suffering in others. I was lucky enough to train at the
UCLA Semel Institute, where my many faculty attendings and mentors inspired
in me the desire to pursue a career teaching residents.
Please explain your role in the program?
Like many of our faculty, I wear several different hats. I am the Director
of Outpatient training, and spend most of my time directly supervising
residents in the General Outpatient Clinic as well the Child Outpatient
Clinics. In addition, I supervise residents in the Emergency Room during
their ED/CL rotations, and am heavily involved in formal didactics.
Please explain your research interest?
My current research and writing interests are mostly in the world of Forensics
and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I have a particular interest in bullying
and cyberbullying. I also have a particular interest in LGBT youth.
Why do you like practicing in Tulare County?
I enjoy working in Tulare County for many reasons. We have a very diverse
patient population and a strong mental health burden in the county as a whole.
What is your hope for residents during their training here?
First and foremost, I hope that residents enjoy the training they receive
here. Residency is hard enough as is, but can be made easier with a little
fun sometimes. Because I have a passion for treating children, I hope
to inspire residents to pursue fellowship training in Child and Adolescent
psychiatry.
Why should someone consider training here?
Kaweah Delta can offer a diverse patient population with a wide variety
of mental illnesses, provide a strong foundation in the diagnosis and
treatment of our patients, and excellent training in both psychopharmacology
and psychotherapy. And Visalia is a great place to live!