In the Division of Inpatient Psychiatry, we are honored to provide compassionate care to patients in the hospital with the most severe psychiatric illnesses. Patients come to us from all over Virginia, and faculty and trainees work side-by-side to treat patients whose symptoms and diagnoses fall under four main categories:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Mood disorders
  • Medical psychiatry
  • Geriatric psychiatry

We take a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with other health care professionals including nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, social workers and clinical pharmacists to provide the most comprehensive care for each patient. As a diverse team of generalists and specialists, we also manage many comorbid conditions and chronic illnesses in our patients. We also provide cutting-edge neuromodulation treatments including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Rushar Thakre, M.D., Ph.D.

"All our faculty and staff are gifted, caring and collaborative. The work is hard and clinically busy but having a positive work environment goes a long way."

Tushar Thakre, M.D., Ph.D.

Division Chair

Education

Trainees in the Department of Psychiatry’s residency program can look forward to highly specialized rotations within this division. Through bedside learning, formal didactics, case conferences and literature review, residents experience the full range of inpatient psychiatric training and graduate fully prepared to manage the most complex patients.

Learn more about our residency

Our Team

Tushar P. Thakre, M.D., Ph.D.

Tushar P. Thakre, M.D., Ph.D.

Division Chief
Adult Inpatient Psychiatry

Tushar P. Thakre, M.D., Ph.D.

Tushar P. Thakre, M.D., Ph.D.

Division Chief
Adult Inpatient Psychiatry

Department of Psychiatry

Chief, Division of Inpatient Psychiatry
Director, Medical Psychiatry Program
Interim Director, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services
Staff Physician, VCU Center for Sleep Medicine

Email: tushar.thakre@vcuhealth.org

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Ryan Chiarella, D.O.

Ryan Chiarella, D.O.

Associate Professor

Ryan Chiarella, D.O.

Ryan Chiarella, D.O.

Associate Professor

Department of Psychiatry

Adult Inpatient Psychiatry
Director, Schizophrenia Program
Interim Director, Emergency Psychiatric Services

Email: ryan.chiarella@vcuhealth.org

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Charles Kramer, M.D.

Charles Kramer, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Charles Kramer, M.D.

Charles Kramer, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Psychiatry

Adult Inpatient Psychiatry

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Ananda Pandurangi, M.D.

Ananda Pandurangi, M.D.

Distinguished Career Professor
Adjunct Faculty

Ananda Pandurangi, M.D.

Ananda Pandurangi, M.D.

Distinguished Career Professor
Adjunct Faculty

Psychiatry

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Vasu Venkatachalam, M.D.

Vasu Venkatachalam, M.D.

Associate Professor

Vasu Venkatachalam, M.D.

Vasu Venkatachalam, M.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Psychiatry

Adult Inpatient Psychiatry
Interim Director, Electroconvulsive Therapy Services

Email: vasu.venkatachalam@vcuhealth.org

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John Vernon, M.D.

John Vernon, M.D.

Associate Professor

John Vernon, M.D.

John Vernon, M.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Psychiatry

Adult Inpatient Psychiatry
Director, Mood Disorders Program

Email: john.vernon@vcuhealth.org

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