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Psychiatry training programs recognize graduates during virtual ceremony

The department honored residents and fellows from the psychiatry, internal medicine/psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and addiction psychiatry training programs.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center honored graduates of its psychiatry training programs during a June 12 virtual celebration.

The department recognized residents from the psychiatry and internal medicine/psychiatry programs as well as fellows from addiction psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.

The psychiatry graduates included:

  • Adam Bertroche, D.O.
  • Aasritha Ganta, M.D.
  • Tyler Josephs, D.O.
  • Benjamin Nissen, M.D.
  • Evan Thompson, D.O.

In addition, the training program acknowledged Jenna Whitbeck, M.D., who will be transitioning into the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, a training program that requires an initial training period in psychiatry.

The internal medicine/psychiatry program honored:

  • Tyler Kjorvestad, M.D.
  • Sarah Minter, D.O.

The addiction psychiatry training program recognized its graduating fellow

  • Gurpreet S. Guliani, M.D.

The graduating child and adolescent psychiatry fellows included:

  • Clifford Arnold, M.D.
  • Hung Pham, D.O.
  • Dani Wentzel, D.O.

During congratulatory remarks during the achievement celebration, William Gabrielli, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the department, noted some of the ways the pandemic touched everyone and encouraged graduates to pursue their goals as they move onto to the next chapter of their lives.

"We are older, wiser, more cautious, more thoughtful, and perhaps more caring of others," he said. "Some of you are now ready to push back the frontiers of science to create a better world. Others want to make a difference one patient at a time. Some want to do both. These are honorable goals, and it is these goals along with the fire in your belly, and the commitment of your teachers that have led you to this moment in time."

In addition to honoring graduates during the celebration, the department handed out numerous departmental awards.

Student Voice Awards

Voted on and presented by medical students for exceptional teaching

  • Lisa Shenkman, M.D. (Faculty)
  • Mitchell Douglass, M.D. (Faculty)
  • Carly Twarog, M.D. (Resident)

Excellence in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Awards

Excellence in Scholarship

  • Dani Wentzel, D.O.

Excellence in Psychotherapy

  • Clifford Arnold, M.D.

Excellence in Patient-Centered Care

  • Hung Pham, D.O.

Fellow of the Year

  • Dani Wentzel, D.O.

Excellence in Scholarship Awards

Presented to residents who achieved a top score on the Psychiatry Resident-In-Training Exam [PRITE])

  • Adam Bertroche, D.O.
  • Anthony Bianchi, D.O.
  • Alex Burnett, M.D.
  • Shahzad Choudhry, M.D.
  • Rachael Kim, D.O.
  • Tyler Kjorvestad, M.D.
  • Greg Maggio, D.O.
  • Umang Shah, M.D.
  • Adam Wetzel, M.D.

PRITE Scholarship Award

Presented to the resident who scored the highest on the Psychiatry Resident-In-Training Exam (PRITE)

  • Alex Burnett, M.D.
  • Rachael Kim, D.O.

Residents' Choice Awards

Voted on by residents and presented to faculty members in recognition of outstanding teaching contributions)

  • Krishna Divadeenam, M.D., Kansas City VA Medical Center (PGY-1 and PGY-2)
  • Lisa Shenkman, M.D., KU Medical Center (PGY-3, PGY-4 and PGY-5)

Shawn M. Storm, M.D. Memorial Award

Presented to a graduating resident for consistently demonstrating the highest professional qualities in all aspects of patient-centered care

  • Tyler Josephs, D.O.

2020-21 Chief residents, Psychiatry - Kansas City VA Medical Center

  • Adam Bertroche, D.O.
  • Tyler Josephs, D.O.
  • Ben Nissen, M.D.
  • Evan Thompson, D.O.

2020-21 Chief residents, Psychiatry - University of Kansas Medical Center

  • Rachael Kim, D.O.
  • Adam Wetzel, M.D.

2020-21 Chief resident, Internal Medicine/Psychiatry - University of Kansas Medical Center

  • Sarah Minter, D.O.

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

University of Kansas Medical Center
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Mailstop 4015
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: 913-588-6400
Fax: 913-588-6414