Psychiatry Resident Voices
While we strive to prepare all of our residents for the next step of their careers, everyone has a different experience and has different takeaways on our program.
Some value the close camaraderie amongst residents. Some find the variety in training sites most helpful.
Here you'll find first-hand accounts from current and previous residents about their experience with the residency.
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Valerie Jenkins, MD
PGY-4 Chief Resident
I have had a phenomenal experience training at University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt.
As a PGY-4 getting closer to graduation, I feel confident and competent in practicing psychiatry in a variety of settings. I have enjoyed getting additional exposure and expertise in reproductive psychiatry and women's mental health during my fourth year of residency and am excited to continue to work with this specific patient population. Our program offers so many diverse training opportunities; you will be exposed to virtually every area and subspecialty within psychiatry during your time here.
I have also made lifelong friendships with my co-residents and their significant others. We love spending time together outside of work, checking out new restaurants, happy hour spots, hiking or going on walks through Patterson Park. I appreciate how supportive my co-residents and faculty have been during residency.
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Nisha Naik, MD
PGY-4 Chief Resident
I was looking for depth and breadth in clinical experience when applying to/ranking residency programs. As I near the end of my residency training, I can confidently say that this program met my expectations!
I'm happy to have matched here for that reason, but even more so for the chance to know some incredibly supportive co-residents and attendings. They inspire me with their compassion, dedication and thoughtfulness constantly! I work to show up for my peers and my patients in the best ways I can because they set such wonderful examples.
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Ian Qian, MD
PGY-3 Resident
As a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, I met many residents and attendings in the psychiatry department with inspiring backgrounds and stories that motivated me to learn from them. I found that the University of Maryland attracts people who have a vested interest in building meaningful relationships with their colleagues and patients. In the few short months as a resident working with my peers and mentors, I feel that I am learning freely among friends who care about my wellness and growth.
After living and learning in Maryland since I was 4 years old, I find that there is still plenty to explore. There is a diverse selection of food in the DC-Maryland-Virginia restaurants. As a huge fan of music, venues and events, Baltimore constantly brings in amazing artists. With many of my friends and family scattered along the east coast and midwest, I can usually visit them with a short drive or flight. I am grateful that the flexibility of my PGY-1 schedule during the on-service psychiatry rotations has allowed me to stay connected with my support system as I acclimate to residency.
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Caroline Quaglieri, MD
Class of 2024
I wanted to be a resident at UMMC/SEPH because of the great variety of training opportunities here.
It's not common to find rotations in state hospitals, private hospitals, academic hospitals, the VA system and community programs all within one psychiatry residency. Also, if you're considering pursuing a fellowship, there are so many excellent fellowships that are already well established and available here.
In addition, living in a city which is a travel hub, and easily accessible to Washington DC, NYC and other areas along the East Coast makes it an ideal central location for travel, both personally and professionally.
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Isabelle Seto, MD
Class of 2023
Moving to Baltimore from out of state was simultaneously nerve-wracking and exciting, but I instantly felt at home with my co-residents; exploring Baltimore with them was a great experience!
Everyone in the department is very welcoming, and I appreciate the efforts the training department has made to listen to resident feedback.
Regarding clinical experience, I've most enjoyed working at the state hospitals as the attendings there are very invested in teaching.
As someone hoping to work for the VA one day, I also appreciate our program's opportunity to have a yearlong outpatient clinic there!