In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

I am originally from Buffalo, NY and moved to Virginia after completing a postdoctoral research position at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Go Bills and Geaux Tigers! 

Describe your role in your own words

I provide services as a Health Psychologist in the Children's Hospital of Richmond's comprehensive Healthy Lifestyles Center and also engage in research as a behavioral scientist to promote child and family health behavior and chronic disease prevention.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your job?

My greatest satisfaction is being a witness and support to a patient's personal progress towards achieving their overall health goals. An exciting part of my position is working with colleagues, collaborators, and community members to design and evaluate creative and effective solutions to address care and treatment priorities. 

What do you do for fun outside of work?

I love to read, watch reality TV, play tennis, take boxing lessons, and go on long walks with my fiancée and dog. Most weekends I travel to visit friends, family, or trying out a new hike (I really enjoyed Shenandoah National Park this summer).

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

I am a Richmond native who left the area briefly for undergrad but promptly returned to Richmond for graduate school at VCU.

Describe your role in your own words

I am a clinical research psychologist and assistant professor in the department of psychiatry. My time is split between conducting interdisciplinary research in the area of traumatic stress and providing psychotherapy services to community members in need.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting AND the most challenging part of my position is balancing the demands of both research and clinical work. It is extremely important to be to be involved in both as I believe research should inform my practice and vice versa, but balancing both also requires great time management skills.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your job?

The most satisfying aspect of my job as a clinical psychologist lies in the synergy between conducting research and providing therapy. It’s deeply fulfilling to apply research findings to real-world therapeutic settings, where I can see the direct impact of evidence-based practices on my clients' well-being. This integration not only enhances my therapeutic approach but also contributes to the broader field, driving innovation and improving outcomes for others.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work I love to weightlift, bake, and spend time with my husband, son, and two pups!

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

I've been in Richmond since graduating medical school in 2018. I am from a small town in South Carolina and then moved right outside of Atlanta for college. I love the small town feel that Richmond has plus the amenities of a city.

Describe your role in your own words

I see a combination of inpatients and outpatients and am based at a number of clinics including Hayes Willis, Jackson Center and the main hospital campus. I am trained in Consultation Liaison psychiatry, meaning I work with patients who have both medical and psychiatric illnesses. 

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

 I love seeing and identifying improvements in a patient's life when they are able to get quality medical and psychiatric care. I like being a part of a patient's care team to get them feeling like themselves again.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work, I'm usually listening to a podcast about true crime or exploring area restaurants and events with my family and friends.

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

I was born and raised right outside of Richmond in Amelia County.

Describe your role in your own words

My role is to support the Chair of Psychiatry as well as the Administrator in the world of Administration.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting part of my position is participating in the day-to-day activities and seeing everything come together to make a difference in the world of Psychiatry.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your job?

The greatest satisfaction in my job is knowing that I am a part of something much bigger than just clocking in and out but actually contributing to the world of Mental Health Awareness for those in need.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work, I am a mom to three littles boys who enjoy anything outdoors from baseball to trail riding.

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

I am new to Richmond! I grew up in Northern Virginia and attended the College of William and Mary, but it's my first time truly exploring the city. 

Describe your role in your own words

I provide psychiatric care to adults in the office setting. This typically includes prescription and management of medications. I also perform consultations on patients in the hospital, where I teach residents and medical students. 

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting part of my job is building a relationship with my patients and seeing them improve over time. It's incredibly rewarding to help people live happier, healthier lives. It can be challenging to deal with the factors that limit access to mental healthcare. 

What do you do for fun outside of work?

I play disc golf, read novels, and play Scrabble. I've recently started wood burning. 

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

We were both born and raised in Chesterfield, VA with very close ties to the Richmond areas as we both have large families who live in  Richmond and the surrounding counties. We can truly say Richmond is our home.

Describe your role in your own words

We are pediatric psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners at VTCC. We strive to build trusting therapeutic relationships with our patients as well as help them establish healthy coping skills in a time of crisis. It is our job to support the patients so they maintain safety while at VTCC and within the community after discharge.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting but also challenging portion of our job is connecting with the kids when they come to VTCC. We also find it exciting watching their progression from the time of admission to discharge. It is comforting to know that we played a role in their healing progress. We are also thrilled to be playing a vital role in an underserved population. 

What do you do for fun outside of work?

We both enjoy utilizing our home gym to stay healthy and active. We also enjoy spending quality time with our child and making memories with our family and friends.  

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

Yes! I grew up in New York and then moved several times for training – down to Louisiana for my PhD at Louisiana State University, then to Baltimore for my predoctoral internship at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and finally back up to New York where I spent the last 5 years or so working at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Describe your role in your own words

I am a clinical researcher specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. I split my time between caring for patients and their families and doing research. Clinically, I provide diagnostic and treatment services for kids and teens on the autism spectrum. My research aims to improve the accessibility and quality of services for autistic youth and their families, with a specific focus on addressing co-occurring mental health needs.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

I am really looking forward to working with and learning from youth and families both clinically, using evidence-based practices to help them reach their goals, and in research. There is really no one better equipped to inform the improvement of autism and developmental disability care than the people who are actively looking for and receiving services in what can often be a complicated service system.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

I like to spend time with my family, which currently involves searching for dog- and baby-friendly spots and events around the city (to my surprise, there are many!). Once its Fall though, most Saturdays are spent in front of the TV watching college football – Geaux Tigers!

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

I am new to Richmond! I am originally from the metro Atlanta area. I lived in Lawrence, KS, for my Ph.D. at the University of Kansas and then completed postdoctoral training at Stanford in Palo Alto, CA, and Columbia in New York City, where I lived just before moving to Richmond.

Describe your role in your own words

I am a clinician-scientist who provides evidence-based psychotherapy to persons with eating disorders across the lifespan and conducts research on eating disorders. My role also involves program development as well as teaching and mentorship.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting part of my position is also the most challenging: Dr. Ann Haynos (of VCU Psychology) and I are teaming up to build an interdisciplinary eating disorders research, treatment, and training program here at VCU. We are so excited to serve VCU, Richmond, and the surrounding communities in this underserved area of need (eating disorders) and can’t wait until our plans are brought to life.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, watching KU basketball (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!), and sharing a good meal with friends and family.

In Your Own Words...

Are you new to Richmond? Where were you previously?

New to traveling to Richmond for work but, I live in Spotsylvania

Describe your role in your own words

I support VTCC’s physicians, NP’s, faculty and LCSW’s, the growth of the services that we provide in the facility, the administrative and fiscal operations related to productivity and processes.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most exciting part of my position is that I get to work in a division that I am passionate about, supporting children and mental/behavioral health services. Secondarily, I am excited to bring my wealth of knowledge and experience to a new team and help the growth of the division. My greatest satisfaction is feeling like I have done something for the greater good and seeing the fruit of those labors. 

What do you do for fun outside of work?

For fun, I travel with my husband and children and love summer concerts.

In Your Own Words...

How long have you been with Psychiatry?

I have been in the Department of Psychiatry with VCU since October of 2021, but overall, in my career since 2014. 

Describe your role in your own words

I currently care for the children and adolescent in the outpatient clinic at VTCC and provide psychotherapy.

Most exciting and/or challenging part of your position?

The most satisfying part of my job is when my patients start to see the potential in themselves to solve their problems and use the skills that they have learned in session. Seeing them come to session proud of themselves after using a skill or communicating their needs or advocating for themselves is such a gratifying feeling. The greatest satisfaction of my job is when my patients feel they no longer need me. Its a bittersweet moment, because sometime our therapeutic relationship is so strong that saying goodbye becomes a bitter moment, but knowing they have "graduated" from therapy is also the best feeling a clinician can have. 

What do you do for fun outside of work?

For fun, I read a lot! I get lost in books. I travel a lot (just came back from Cabo, Mexico!). I coach for a nationally ranked community step team, and I do a lot of community service for my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., but most importantly, I spend lots of time making memories with my husband, kids, and friends!