Undergraduate Degree: University of Maiduguri, Biochemistry and Texas Chiropractic College, B.A. in Human Biology
Medical Degree: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: General Psychiatry at Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, Florida
Fellowship: Geriatric Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine
Current Position: Geriatric Psychiatry at VA Central Texas
Board Certification: Adult Psychiatry; Geriatric Psychiatry Board Eligible
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: Returning to my beloved home city, Houston, to undertake my geriatric psychiatry fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine was an immense pleasure. The college is located within the largest medical center in the world and hosts the United States most substantial Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The fellowship program was academically robust, with an exceptionally supportive faculty and staff that were always accessible. It offered exposure to a diverse patient population and fostered a collaborative care model. The privilege of working with dedicated healthcare providers across numerous multidisciplinary specialties in a team-based approach was invaluable.
The skills acquired from my mentors greatly enhanced my patient care abilities. I especially cherished my time at the outpatient clinic, where I built strong relationships with patients and their families. It was gratifying to help them maintain their dignity and find joy as they transitioned into late adulthood.
I extend my profound gratitude to my co-fellow and friend, Venkatesh Sreeram, for his unwavering strength and support throughout the fellowship. Further, I express my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ali, an exceptional mentor and Program Director.
Medical School: Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
Residency: Harlem Hospital Center
Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine
Current Position: Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Augusta University
Board Certification: Adult Psychiatry, Board-eligible for Geriatric Psychiatry
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: I was glad to have this experience on my resume. It requires the expertise that you could gain only with training. Working with the older veterans at the VA and the nursing home was challenging, yet rewarding. I also learned touch-based strategies in the geriatric setting from Dr. Kunik, who was a great mentor to have.
Undergraduate degree: University of Pennsylvania, BA in Psychology
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC)
Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine
Current Position: Geriatric Psychiatrist with Legacy Community Health
Board Certification: Adult Psychiatry, Board-eligible for Geriatric Psychiatry
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: I think that the people involved with the fellowship program are wonderful and really make for a great experience. I had an awesome co-fellow and very supportive and knowledgeable attendings and mentors. I am very thankful for the training that I received during my fellowship, and it prepared me well for my current position.
Undergraduate Degree: University of the West Indies Jamaica, (B.S) Preliminary Sciences
Medical School: University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Residency: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Missouri Health Care System
Board Certification: Adult Board Certified and board eligible for geriatric psychiatry
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: Training at one of the most prestigious medical complexes in the world and having the opportunity to serve veterans was one of the most satisfying aspects of fellowship for me. The diversity present in Houston added to the charm of training.
Working in many diverse settings such as the Baylor Psychiatry Clinic and Palliative Care exposed me to different types of pathologies. The camaraderie I shared with my co-fellow was memorable, and I am grateful to have learned a lot from her. The faculty was always welcoming and willing to teach, and I was surprised to see the number of geriatric psychiatrists available at the VA to learn from.
Dr. Ali served as a true mentor and having Maria as a coordinator made the administrative formalities seamless and smooth. I believe doing the fellowship has allowed me to navigate complex older psychopathology and approach geriatric patients from a varying approach.
Undergraduate Degree: University of Texas at Austin (2007-11) BS, Neurobiology, Spanish minor
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L Foster School of Medicine (2012-16)
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2016-20)
Fellowship: Geriatric Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine (2020-21)
Current Position: Geriatric Psychiatrist at Michael E. DeBakey Houston VAMC
Board Certification: General Psychiatry (2020), Geriatric Psychiatry to be taken in 2022
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: I have a few memorable aspects of fellowship. I enjoyed working with the diverse patient population of older adults found in one of the most diverse cities in the country. Working in many diverse settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and nursing home settings was another memorable aspect.
Providing mental health care in a great time of need during the pandemic was one of my most memorable aspects of fellowship – in our outpatient continuity clinic creating a grief group – and an incredible experience I won’t forget. I learned the incredible resilience of older adults. Finally, I am incredibly grateful and will always remember the support, kindness, and compassion from my co-fellow, Esi Bentsi-Barnes.
Undergraduate Degree: Temple University, B.A. in Chemistry and Minor in History
Medical Degree: American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten
Residency: General Psychiatry at Temple University Hospital
Fellowship: Geriatric Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine
Current Position: Staff Psychiatrist at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Board Certification: Adult Psychiatry; Geriatric Psychiatry Board Eligible
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: Training during the COVID pandemic was challenging, but everyone at Baylor stepped up to make the process as smooth as possible. I appreciated the Telehealth options, which allowed me to see a wider breadth of patients. It was exciting to train in the Texas Medical Center and see the continuity of care between facilities.
While I enjoyed all clinical settings, I especially enjoyed my time on the outpatient services and being able to see my patients progress through the year. Finally, I am grateful for my co-fellow Lindsay Page who was a constant source of fun and support during fellowship.
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology; Minors in Chemistry and Psychology from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine
Current Position: Baylor Psychiatry Clinic – Outpatient practice
Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
Board Certification: General/geriatrics; psychiatry, and board eligible for geriatric psychiatry
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: Serving a diverse patient population while also having the opportunity to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to provide patient-centered care in different clinical settings.
In enjoy working in the outpatient setting where I have the opportunity to develop strong relationships with patients and aid them in finding ways to maintain their integrity and obtain fulfillment as they navigate late adulthood. As a Spanish- speaking provider I am also honored to provide a much needed service in the diverse Houston community.
Undergraduate Degree: Tulane University (2002-06) BS, Neuroscience; BA, Spanish and Latin American Studies
Master of Public Health: Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (2007-11); Health Systems Management
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine (2007-11)
Residency: Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami (2011-15); Chief Resident
Fellowship: Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine (2015-16)
Current Position: Geriatric Psychiatrist at the Michael E. DeBakey Houston VAMC
Board Certification: General Psychiatry (2015) and Geriatric Psychiatry (2016)
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: I was in sheer awe as to the size of the Houston VAMC! There are ample options for professional growth via supervision, clinical exposure, and research opportunities. The breadth of these resources is immense. After all, this is the largest VAMC in the United States, within the largest medical center in the world.
Our older Veterans' shared life experiences and general wisdom are always a particular highlight for me. I enjoy their anecdotes and advice. Life experience is valuable. As providers, we share common goals in promoting safe and enduring interventions that maximize our Veteran's quality of life. Geriatric Psychiatry carries an important role for many of our older in-need and medically complex Veterans. I've found that the collaborative care model is strongly reinforced in our VAMC's culture. It is a privilege to work with so many dedicated healthcare providers across numerous multidisciplinary specialties with a team-based approach.
Medical School: Dow Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Residency: University of Texas Health Sciences at Houston
Current Position: Staff Psychiatrist at Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center
Board Certification: Adult and Geriatrics Psychiatry
Memorable Aspect of Fellowship: It was my honor to be part of fellowship program that was so rich in academic activities, faculty and staffs were very supportive and learned compassion and skills from my attendings that are helpful in treating my patients on daily basis now.
It’s a great feeling when your patients trust you, show gratitude share their life experiences and wisdom with you and I am privileged to be part of it.
