Member-in-Training, 2000; Resident, New York University Medical Center, 1999- ; Psychiatry Resident Delegate for Resident Council, 2000- ; Program for Minority Research Training in Psychiatry (PMRTP) Mini-Fellow, APA, 1999-2000; Co-President, American Medical Student Association, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1995-97; Regional Parliamentarian, Student National Medical Association, Region IV, 1996-97; Eugene S. Mayer Community Service Honor Society, 1996-99; Community Service Project Coordinator, University of North Carolina SNMA, 1996-97; National Child Immunization Project Coordinator to AMSA, 1995-96; B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1991; M.S., Summa Cum Laude, Biology, North Carolina Central University, 1994; M.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1999.

Excerpt from The Starfish

As members-in-training (MITs), we are the psychiatric leaders of the future. We will be the ones who will create and implement policies, construct guidelines, lead innovative research, fight for change, and foster the continued growth in the field. We will be the voices of the mentally ill, the advocates of many of whom may not be able to speak for themselves. Many of us will be the leaders of our communities. Much has changed over the years in psychiatry, and much more change is to come. As member-in-training trustee-elect (MITTE), I want to represent us in this evolution of growth and change and make our voices heard. I want to help raise the consciousness of others and facilitate the research and learning among ourselves.

The MITTE not only creates, conducts, and promotes ideas, but also helps groups of people build shared ideas. As your MITTE, I will effectively promote our ideas, initiate necessary changes, and facilitate the enhancement of our training. One important aspect that allows me to accomplish this is my leadership experience.

Many of my early experiences came from scouting. Scouting presented me with unprecedented opportunities to develop my leadership skills, which I augmented later in life. I held positions including the University of North Carolina’s co-president of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), regional parliamentarian for the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), and the National Child Immunization Project coordinator of the Child and Adolescent Health Task Force of AMSA. One of my projects entailed coordinating free child immunization clinics in "at-risk" communities. Recently, I was selected as the psychiatry resident delegate for the Resident Council at New York University Medical Center, fostering improved educational opportunities for all residents.

Another important aspect I possess is helping to build the foundation for change through research. Research helps build the infrastructure for advances in medicine and society at large. One project I’ve participated in was the correction of ion channel–deficient mice with gene transfer. Other research projects included investigating lung transepithelial liquid and ion flow and inflammatory biomarkers after exposure to airborne pollutants. I was a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency Research Fellowship Award and selected as one of the mini-fellows for the APA Program for Minority Research Training in Psychiatry.

As MITTE, I have the following goals:

• Increase MITs’ participation in APA, strengthening our voice in the promotion of policies and ideas within APA.

• Push for the recruitment of minorities, including women. Traditionally psychiatry has been a male-dominated field with very few minorities. Minorities and women have increased in number in the field, but I will continue to push for this growth, enhancing diversity within psychiatry.

• Enhance MIT participation in research via fellowships and awards. I want to broaden the opportunities for MITs to be exposed to research.

• Fight for full parity for our patients. Reimbursement for psychiatric care needs to be greatly enhanced.

• Protect patient confidentiality and rights. I want insurance companies held more accountable for their role in patients’ treatment.

• Foster the understanding of psychiatry with other specialists and promote collaboration among medical professionals.

As MITTE, I welcome these challenges. I will put forth the stamina, endurance, and fortitude necessary to address these issues. Through prior experiences, I’ve learned that many times our efforts require walking on the unbeaten path. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." As MITTE, I will be hardworking and dependable and bring a zealous and enthusiastic attitude to the position of MITTE. Let’s work together in continuing the growth and prosperity of psychiatry and APA.

Work: 25%—TISCH Hospital

25%—Manhattan VA Medical Center

33.3%—Bellevue Hospital

16.6%—Rockland State Hospital

Income: 100% of my income is from my residency