The program curriculum includes formal didactics for solid foundational knowledge in psychopathology and its treatment and comprehensive clinical experiences guided by a system of care philosophy that is culturally competent, community-based, individual and family focused. The breadth of experience and inquiry-based approach is designed to develop the tools, comfort, and cognitive flexibility to adapt to rapid changes in health care.  Formulation from a biopsychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and developmental perspective is a key emphasis for clinical problem-solving and effective treatment.

With a total of 3,619 annual admissions and 35,356 emergency department visits annually, there is ample opportunity for emergency and inpatient consultation-liaison psychiatry training at the 70-bed acute care hospital. However, the psychiatry inpatient experience will also occur at nearby hospitals outside of the Prisma Health facilities to broaden perspective, encourage cooperation, and cross-fertilize best practices.

This program utilizes an innovative longitudinal curriculum model that allows diverse skill building to begin early and be maintained consistently throughout residency. Rather than dividing each training year into 4-week blocks, we have divided the week into half day units. Our residents enjoy a consistent weekly schedule wherein they have the opportunity to spend time in multiple disciplines and develop their skills in a well-rounded and global manner. This approach also allows our residents to have continuity of care with their patients throughout the year and even follow the same patient across multiple specialties as part of a coordinated care effort.

Our program is excited to take an innovative approach to fulfilling its primary care requirement by placing residents in a continuity outpatient Family Medicine experience. In modern clinical practice, the role of the Psychiatrist often dovetails with our colleagues in Family Medicine, and this is where many of our patients have their first point of contact. We believe that a thorough understanding of Family Medicine outpatient practice will better prepare our graduates to serve their patients in a way that is holistic and well-integrated with their primary care team.

In addition to family medicine and neurology, other rotations include community, addiction, geriatric, child and adolescent, reproductive, forensic, international, and administrative psychiatry. Importantly, residents have a continuous psychotherapy clinic for all four years of training.

Our program recognizes the important role that psychotherapy plays in a comprehensive psychiatric treatment plan. We want our graduates to feel empowered to offer comprehensive management to their patients that includes both pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic modalities. In light of this, we begin psychotherapy training during PGY-1 and residents continue to see patients for psychotherapy though all four years of residency.