Thank you for being willing to take part in selecting your next year’s PsychSIGN Region Chair! Voting will be open from April 16 to April 30.
Below are each candidate’s written and video recorded platforms. Please look at the candidates for your region, and then vote only for a candidate within your region. The candidate that wins the simple majority from the most number of schools in their region wins the election for that region. Some regions only had one candidate running, in which cases they are awarded the position without an election.
Please check the following to verify your region, and then vote only within your region.
- Region 1: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
- Region 2: New York
- Region 3: District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Region 4: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
- Region 5: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and Uniformed Services
- Region 6: California
- Region 7: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
- Region 8: Covering international medical students outside of the US and Canada
Region 1 – Unopposed: Meet Benjamin Gorman
Hi! I’m Ben – M2, HMS – and I’ve been passionate about psychiatry since high school. I have a few key beliefs: When done well, psychiatry is a beautiful profession of which its practitioners and trainees should be proud; psychiatric patients, especially those with limited socioeconomic resources, are among the most shunned and underserved in the country; and building energy, excitement, and community among students is one of the best ways to increase the workforce to support this population!
I’d work hard to do a good job for the students in this region. As my residents tell me, I have ~much enthusiasm~. This comment is typically meant to soften me up for impending blistering feedback. Nevertheless, it’s true that I’d put a lot of energy into this position. I ran our PSIG last year, and I worked hard to build a robust community and host meaningful events that people found valuable. We hosted one particularly strong event in which we connected 10 well-known figures in psychiatry with over 100 students in a networking dinner. Having put a lot of energy into networking, I’m well-positioned to connect students with people and opportunities who can further their career.
I have four goals.
1. I’d like to build community across medical schools among students interested in similar topics. I am personally interested in severe and persistent mental illness and public psychiatric services, and I would love to connect with others with similar interests. I’d guess the same is true of you with regard to your interests!
2. I’d like to connect students with opportunities. The world of possible projects and mentors in psychiatry is enormous, but so much depends on meeting the right people. There are lots of movers and shakers in my institution’s world but far more outside of it, and I think we all could benefit from sharing connections and resources. I’d build systems for students to connect with interesting people outside of their home institution.
3. I’d create avenues for sharing insider knowledge across medical schools. I think we could benefit from inter-institutional post-match discussions, tips on applications, and insight on particular programs.
4. Finally, I’d host social events to help people meet each other! I loved that community-building element of hosting my PSIG.
I’d obviously also take on the required tasks of the position, and I’d be glad to hear from you all about other things I could do that would be helpful.
Thanks!
Ben
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gorman-2022/
Region 2 – Unopposed: Meet Jae Yeun Kim
Hi! My name is Jae and I am an MS-4 at Albert Einstein COM. I’m a first generation immigrant and queer Asian American woman and cat mom. I have been invested in the movement of de-stigmatization of mental health problems way before I even considered a career in medicine and have encountered so many situations in which discussion of suffering from mental health problems have helped me, my partner, and my family survive some of the most challenging obstacles in our lives.
Once I decided on a career in medicine, I promised myself that I would continue doing social justice work. I studied history in college with the hopes of understanding the nuances of Korean culture and found how valuable historical context is in understanding the present. It helped me heal a strained relationship with my parents, commonly experienced by AAPI youth secondary to cultural differences. I also involved myself in the study of colonialism, and its remnants in the prison-industrial complex, which sparked this realization that people in this space are heavily misunderstood, widely hated and incredibly underserved. It is important to note that the historical context – a loophole that criminalized black people for ‘loitering’ amidst the 1863 emancipation of slaves – is the very reason in which black and brown folks make up the vast majority of incarcerated Americans today. Many years later, I decided that there would be nothing more meaningful to me than work in correctional and forensic psychiatry.
A qualified candidate for the Region 2 chair position should share a number of specific experiences. First, I hope I was able to communicate my genuine love for psychiatry. Secondly, PsychSIGN has significantly transformed my medical school experience. At the beginning of third year, I signed up for the mentorship program and found Dr. Chou who is an INCREDIBLE mentor. Through her involvement in AACAP, I joined the Asian Caucus, which has connected me with Asian American attending and resident psychiatrists that have inspired and informed me of the beautiful, yet challenging intersection of AAPI identity and psychiatry. The ability to share such a positive experience is an integral prerequisite to serving as a region chair, to maximizing student excitement and to exhibiting the fruits of PsychSIGN’s hard labor. Lastly, I believe my competence and trustworthiness is rooted in my experience serving on a medical student board at the regional level. I am on the current board of the Korean-American Medical Student Association (KAMSA) as Vice President of the NY/NJ region and have learned about the niche challenges of working with medical students in this region. Despite this, I am most proud of: sourcing campus representatives from NY/NJ DO schools, hosting a 2024 match day panel with overwhelmingly positive feedback and engagement from 8+ schools, and initiating a new pre-med mentorship program focusing on longitudinal relationships with mentors (inspired by my experience with PsychSIGN’s mentorship program).
Thank you for your consideration!
Region 3 – vote here
Jasmine Miller https://youtu.be/hMFMTVlpvys
As a candidate for this position, I bring a unique combination of leadership skills, professional mental health experiences, and a genuine passion for serving my region. My qualifications stem from both my professional background as a prior Early Childhood Teacher, Neuropsychological Investigator, and prior president of Jefferson’s Psychiatry Society. In addition I have a personal commitment to community engagement, as I have shown with my position as Kids-Director in JeffHope (the largest student-run clinic in the country), and my prior engagement with NAMI and work with Fountain House (a mental health clubhouse for differently-abled adults) as a Masters of Public Health student; making me an ideal candidate to represent the interests of our region.
First and foremost, my professional background equips me with the necessary skills to effectively tackle the challenges facing our region. With a solid educational foundation in Global Public Health and community stakeholders, I have honed critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that are essential for this role. I’ve created multiple initiatives that promote wellness in students, diversity in medicine, and support for vulnerable communities. Some of my programs have included implementing a psychiatric screening at Philadelphia shelters, creating a Restorative Justice Guidebook for neurodiverse adults, and organizing panel events for students. My ability to analyze complex issues, devise effective strategies, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders will be invaluable in driving positive change and progress for our region.
Moreover, my track record of community involvement demonstrates my dedication to making a difference at the local level. I have been actively engaged in various community initiatives with NAMI, and regularly volunteer with local nonprofits, and organize with local campaigns to improve community health. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of our region’s residents, and I am committed to amplifying their voices and advocating for policies that prioritize their well-being.
If elected, my primary aim will be to foster inclusive growth and development that benefits all members of our community. I hope to address pressing issues such as diversity in psychiatry, wellness in medicine, and implement solutions that promote equity and opportunity. This includes advocating for programs that support students through all years of training, investing in projects that create opportunities for research and funding, and expanding access to learning about psychiatry’s expanding landscape.
Furthermore, I recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving our goals. I will actively seek input from community members, local leaders, and experts to inform my decision-making process and ensure that our initiatives are responsive to the needs of our region. By fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency, I aim to build trust and empower our community to actively participate in shaping its future.
In summary, I believe that my qualifications, experiences, and dedication make me a highly qualified candidate for this position. Thank you for considering me! 🙂
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Jack Wright https://youtu.be/08BwSrywjsY
I believe that my unique blend of passion for psychiatry, proven leadership abilities, and visionary approach sets me apart as a candidate for Psych-SIGN Region Chair. My commitment to the field is unwavering, as evidenced by my decision to dedicate my research year to this role, allowing me to contribute more time and effort towards the organization’s growth. My leadership experience, including roles such as Co-President of Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group at NJMS, Co-Founder and Co-President of Medicine in Motion at NJMS, Treasurer of Latino Medical Student Association, and M4 Psychiatry Student Chief, showcases not just my capability to lead, but also my robust work ethic, and adeptness in managing time and resources effectively. During my role as Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group co-president, I hosted multiple talks and lecture series for both high school student programs and medical students located in Newark, NJ. As an M4 Student Psychiatry Chief, I acted as a liaison between residents attendings and M3 medical students rotating through their psychiatry clerkships. I provided resources for these students that included: research opportunities, conference preparation, and general tips to succeed on their psychiatry rotation.
I have developed an appreciation for child & adolescent psychiatry through my various experiences during clinical rotations. I believe that Psych-SIGN is a great way to promote the understaffed field of child and adolescent psychiatry. Additionally, when considering the difficult topics of childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse, I plan to setup workshops with child and adolescent psychiatry physicians regarding how to speak and provide appropriate trauma informed care along with guest talks featuring patients who have gone through similar situations and are willing to share their stories.
In my region, I am committed to ensuring inclusivity across all states by directly engaging with attending physicians and programs, ensuring every individual feels represented and can gain from the sessions. I will be mindful of the diverse patient populations across states and organize events to broaden their perspectives and knowledge. Moreover, I will expand Psych-SIGN’s media presence and platform recognition while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. This could be done in collaboration with URM inclusive organizations like LMSA & SNMA, enhancing our collective impact on those drawn to psychiatry.
For Psych-SIGN’s future, I envision offering a mentorship-driven experience for medical students interested in psychiatry. Students would be paired with a resident or faculty physician mentor to help them navigate the field. Additionally, I would host regular guest lectures, workshops, and events designed for learning and networking as these would provide excellent opportunities to engage medical students and integrate them into the psychiatry community. Additionally, as previously mentioned, I am greatly passionate about advancing psychiatry through research, and thus will strive to provide research and conference/publication opportunities. This could be done with the creation of a GroupMe page dedicated to posting about available research project opportunities.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that my various experiences and dedication to the field of psychiatry make me a strong candidate for the position of Psych-SIGN Region chair.
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Lindsey Nguyen https://youtu.be/g1IiChrjKEs
I am a qualified candidate for the position because I am timely and can get things done, I love advocating for others, and I am passionate about enhancing ways for students like myself to learn more about the field of psychiatry. As regional chair, I hope to provide more ways in which students can be more involved in psychiatry to allow them see if the field is the right fit for them. As a student interested in going into psychiatry, I value opportunities that can give me the chance to learn more about the field. With that said, for those who are strongly inclined towards psychiatry, I want to provide information regarding research opportunities related to psychiatry by compiling a list that is easy to access through the PsychSIGN website. I also believe getting connected to a mentor is crucial in navigating the early stages on how to proceed into a career of psychiatry, and would love help facilitate that by providing a list of mentors that can help guide students on what they should be doing throughout medical school to optimize their chances in placing into a residency of their choice. Most importantly, I think the field of psychiatry is so interesting and vast in the topics it provides and would love to be able to give students fun opportunities to explore these sides of psychiatry by holding conferences or meetings that showcase these subspecialties through talks with physicians and other healthcare providers or experts specializing in these fields or networking opportunities that allow students to ask questions and explore more of their curiosities for the field. Overall, as regional chair I hope to be able to provide more opportunities and ways for students like myself to explore the field of psychiatry but most importantly in a way that allows others to be able to connect with each other and have fun while learning more about psychiatry.
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Bobby Reisler https://youtu.be/1b2PHxNMCXU
My name is Bobby Reisler and I am a rising 3rd year medical student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in New Jersey. I completed my undergraduate education at Rutgers University with a double major in history and psychology. I combined my love of medicine with my passion for local history by contributing to a public history campaign in the city of New Brunswick collecting personal accounts from the local homeless population and studying how they have navigated the healthcare system. Additionally, I conducted neuroscience research within the psychology department and produced an honors thesis exploring mouse models for autism spectrum disorder and their reliability in applying learning models. In medical school I was a leader in the Psychiatry Interest Group where I had the privilege to organize events to further our class’s engagement in topics relating to psychiatry. This included connecting residents from multiple hospitals together for a case study event, inviting an expert to give a lecture on eating disorders which was not covered in our normal curriculum, and facilitating the logistics for bringing representatives from PsychSIGN to visit our school. To further my education in the field of mental health, I completed a provider training certificate with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and helped revive the Cinema for Wellness club at my school which used movies as an avenue for supporting student health in medical school.
Throughout my education, I have always sought out opportunities to create spaces for open conversations and make the field of psychiatry easily accessible for everyone. I want to continue creating forums for interdisciplinary collaboration and learning as I have done in the past. I believe working with PsychSIGN would be a privilege to help facilitate even greater interconnectedness throughout the region. Region 3 spans multiple states diverse in both geography and demographics. I see this as a fantastic opportunity for a lecture series to explore topics that can range from rural psychiatry to homeless outreach within urban populations. There are a diverse number of physicians and researchers throughout the region with experience and expertise worth sharing. Online events can also create a space for dialogue bringing together medical students from across state-lines who would otherwise have limited interplay. I hope to contribute to PsychSIGN the same mindset that first spawned my love of Psychiatry, that great things happen when motivated people with shared interests and unique perspectives have a space for open conversations!
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Subirah Hendrickson https://youtu.be/G0IeIFA4Ejs
My name is Subirah Hendrickson, and I am third-year medical student at Drexel College of Medicine. I am excited to run for the position of Region Chair for region 3. I hope to use my leadership experience and passion for psychiatry to increase engagement and community for my region.
As the Co-President of the Psychiatry Interest Group at my school, I foster connections between students, residents, and psychiatrists, creating a rich and collaborative environment. I have organized monthly workshops and virtual panels that enhance our education and professional networks, which in the future could be scaled to the regional level.
In my role as an Educational Committee Representative for my class, I’ve learned how to advocate for my classmates and solicit feedback on our curriculum, ensuring that our academic needs and concerns are addressed.
Additionally, as treasurer for the Student National Minority Association chapter at Drexel, I was responsible for maintaining chapter funds, collecting dues, tracking membership, and fulfilling purchase requests for club events. Additionally, this year our chapter hosted the annual regional conference, where we featured keynote speakers, mentorship for pre-medical students, workshops for club leaders, and extensive networking opportunities for future physicians.
As copresident of the Sexual Health and Gender Identity and Neurodivergent clubs at Drexel, I have been able to further my commitment to diverse communities. These roles have prepared me to ensure inclusivity and accessibility in all our regional initiatives. With every initiative I’ve led, my focus has always been on making meaningful connections and ensuring every voice is heard. I am eager to leverage this background to enhance our collective experience, increase our impact across our region, and drive meaningful change.
My goals as region chair would be to drive engagement, build community, and increase access to information. My vision for our region is that we create a network of trusted psychiatrists through our development. I hope to create an array of events spanning from more traditional professional conferences to unity building events like a community service day. I would like to designate World Mental Health Day, as an opportunity for students from each medical school in to volunteer in their respective local areas.
To further the impact of these events, I want to create a more connected regional community utilizing social media. We could host a day in the life series spotlighting the student experience, virtual scavenger hunts where students explore the research “environment,” informative Q&A sessions, and storytelling initiatives. While our region is vast, I believe we can create a more unified community, strengthening our bonds and showcasing the diversity of our region.
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to vote and listen to my plans. I hope I get an opportunity to meet each one of you. Together, let’s build a Region 3 that’s more connected, more engaged, and more supportive than ever before.”
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Sonya Priven https://youtu.be/MQ1_MdS6qPc
I believe that I will be an asset as the PsychSign regional chair for region 3 due to my organizational skills, leadership skills, and passion for psychiatry.
In terms of organization, much of my life has revolved around carefully-curated spreadsheets and calendars. This has allowed me to be time-conscious, and always head of schedule. Because of this, I know I will be successful in maintaining data for organization, as well as be on top of deadlines, meetings, and events.
My love for planning and ability to think of creative solutions has allowed me to be a successful leader. At my undergraduate university, I got involved with tutoring at the local middle school. After some time working with the local underserved community, I saw potential areas of improvement where I felt like I could change something. I single-handedly designed and implemented a weekly program to educate the students about important aspects of healthy living, such as nutrition, exercise, and mental health. In medical school, I joined the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists as the community service representative, during which time I organized a book and clothing drive for the residents of the adult and child psychiatric units at a local hospital, organized a fundraiser to raise profits for NAMI, and formed a relationship between our medical school and a Philadelphia non-profit organization providing group homes for residents with behavioral health diagnoses. I then became president of this organization, where I oversaw all of the subcommittees and put on events such as resident panels, guest speakers, and our annual Psychedelic Medicine Conference. I am also the RowanSOM representative for the medical student division of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association, where I participate in organizing events such as movie screenings, psychiatrist visits, and conferences. Everything I have learned during these roles will allow me to successfully plan and organize events for PsychSIGN as well.
I believe one of my most important contributions to those around me is the ability to bring people together. I love feeling a sense of community and creating an environment where people can interact, network, and feel supported. For example, I am a member of my school’s STUCO Special Events Committee, where our biggest project is organizing MedBall, an annual gala for our medical school. We spend the first half of each year planning this wonderful event where students, faculty, and physicians can come together. I hope to do the same for PsychSIGN.
I realized that I wanted to be a psychiatrist the day I realized I wanted to go into medicine. This field has been my passion from the time I was in high school, and I’m very excited about the opportunity to be a part of its growth. In summary my goals are to provide medical students interested in psychiatry a community and place to learn and network, to be an asset to the other members of the board by providing insightful ideas, and to increase awareness and promote collaboration within the field of psychiatry.
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Harrison Chiu https://youtu.be/OtY9ocaLQ6k
As a passionate advocate for medical student education and mentorship in psychiatry, I am honored to be considered for the role of Region Chair with PsychSIGN. My experience spearheading initiatives that support and guide students interested in pursuing careers in mental health including Psychiatry Student Chief, Head Coach of Peer Wellness Hotline, and student orientation leader make me an ideal candidate to serve the members of this region.
Throughout my involvement with the New Jersey Psychiatric Association as a Student Delegate and Committee member, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordinating events that engage students and provide valuable mentorship opportunities. Notably, I piloted a pioneering mentorship program that connected over 100 medical students across New Jersey with psychiatry residents, offering invaluable insights into the residency application process and fostering a supportive community.
My role as the Head Coach of the Peer Wellness Hotline further underscores my commitment to promoting mental health awareness and peer-to-peer mentorship. In this capacity, I have empowered fellow students to support one another, fostering an environment of understanding and growth.
As the Psychiatry Student Chief, I spearheaded the creation of the first-ever student guide for rotations, compiling a wealth of student wisdom on study resources, tips, and advice on navigating the Electronic Health Records system. Currently, I am authoring a section tailored specifically for third-year medical students, providing an invaluable introduction to conducting psychiatric interviews and mental health evaluations, alongside other high-yield psychiatry topics.
If elected as Region Chair, I will dedicate myself to enhancing the mentorship experiences and educational opportunities available to students within our region. My top priorities will include:
1. Strengthening Collaborations: I have and will continue to actively collaborate with state psychiatric associations, PsychSIGN chapters, and residency programs to create a robust network of mentors and resources. By fostering these partnerships, we can ensure that aspiring psychiatrists receive comprehensive guidance throughout their academic journey.
2. Facilitating Networking Opportunities: I will organize regional conferences and virtual events that bring together students, residents, and professionals, enabling invaluable networking and knowledge-sharing experiences. These platforms will provide a space for students to explore career paths, seek advice, and build lasting connections.
3. Promoting Residency Preparedness: Understanding the increasing competitiveness of residency programs, I will focus on developing workshops and resources that equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the application process successfully. From CV/personal statement reviews to mock interviews, these initiatives will empower students to showcase their strengths effectively.
4. Advocating for Mental Health Awareness: As a passionate advocate for mental health, I will work tirelessly to destigmatize mental illness and promote a culture of understanding and support within our region. Through educational campaigns and community outreach efforts, we can foster an inclusive environment that encourages open dialogue and compassion.
With my track record of leadership, organizational skills, and unwavering commitment to student success, I am confident in my ability to make a significant impact as your Region Chair. Together, we can create a robust support system that empowers aspiring psychiatrists to thrive and ultimately contribute to improving mental health care in our communities.
Region 4 – vote here
Sohail Sethi https://youtu.be/ZlAtunynF3E
Hello PsychSIGN! My name is Sohail Sethi and I am a rising third year student at Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa.
As Region 4’s Chair, my primary goals will be: increase unity and communication across campuses, create centralized resources detailing opportunities for students interested in psychiatry, and lastly, build up a professional network through coordinating regular events. It is my hope that by doing so, I will fulfill Article 3 of PsychSIGN’s Constitution and aid any medical student in their pursuit of becoming a psychiatrist.
I believe I am qualified to be your Regional Chair based on my past experiences as a student leader. During my preclinical years of medical school, I was elected as Vice President of the cohort. This position allowed me to serve as a voice of the student body and provide their feedback to our course directors to make meaningful changes. Please know that as your regional chair, I will always be available to listen to your thoughts and concerns and take the appropriate next steps.
My prior position also enabled me to reach out to third party companies to secure discounts for board prep resources. While challenging, I learned how to communicate clearly and effectively and was able to create an environment where companies were more than willing to help our class. I am eager to bring the same tenacity and professionalism displayed prior to help our region and its members.
Lastly, my time with DMU’s Preventative Medicine Club provided me with the opportunity to shine a spotlight on mental health. My fellow classmates and I started a monthly newsletter where we decreased stigma about mental illness and increased awareness of free and widely available campus and public resources. We also hosted community events where we were able to help educate the public on wellness and its broader impacts on wellbeing. The time that I spent here was truly wonderful and helped me realize my passion for psychiatry and being an advocate for those in need.
Thank you for your consideration!
Riya Trivedi https://youtu.be/kcJhq8Rbgow
As an incoming third year medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, I have created opportunities for students to gain exposure to psychiatry and to engage in mental health and wellness promotion activities. I encouraged myself to explore psychiatry in my preclinical years as president of Loyola’s psychiatry interest group and through our addiction medicine group, student wellness advisory group, and as a TA for our emotional intelligence and resilience elective.
I have hosted events such as a psychiatry physician panel and resident meet and greet to help students learn about individual paths to psychiatry and the diversity of the field. I believe workshops are a great way to learn, and hosted a suicide prevention workshop with a speaker from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and a Narcan and Harm Reduction training. During my time at Loyola, I have been passionate about medical student wellness and helped create a mental health and wellness resource guide with school-specific, local, and national resources for students. I also worked with the school therapist to hold post-exam sessions for M1 students to have open discussions about emotional wellbeing and self-care around exams.
These experiences have helped me explore my interests in psychiatry while encouraging my peers to do the same. As the Region 4 Chair, I would love to continue to find creative ways for all of us to explore psychiatry.
As an M1, I enjoyed attending the Region 4 PsychSIGN conference at Loyola. This year, as an M2, I was able to help the current Region 4 Chair plan our virtual conference on specialization within psychiatry (which you should definitely attend on April 27th if you can). I would love to use what I have learned about the process in the past two years to organize the conference next year.
I am also interested in looking into creative ways for the region to participate in group activities to help continue to build our community. This year, I helped advertise a NAMI Provider Training, which has previously been offered through various PsychSIGN regions. Virtual trainings and workshops are a great way to connect with other students in the region. While it may be difficult to fundraise or hold an event as a whole group, I would love to find ways for students to work together to hold events at their respective schools, such as by organizing book drives for local mental health centers.
Mentorship has been so encouraging for me, and I have also enjoyed mentoring premedical students and M1s at Loyola. Pairing interested students or creating small groups within the region would be invaluable for students looking to further their experiences in psychiatry.
I have loved being a part of the PsychSIGN community and meeting students who are equally excited and passionate about psychiatry. I enjoy finding creative ways to explore psychiatry and would look forward to continuing doing so as the PsychSIGN Region 4 Chair.
Thank you!
Region 5 – vote here
Maryam Khan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMPf_LMWoWc
Hi y’all, I’m Maryam! I’m a second-year at TCOM in Fort Worth, and I’m excited to run for Region 5 Chair! As future psychiatrists, we value the importance of connection and communication. That’s why my goal is to create a warm environment that unites our region.
Even though there are so many students around us, medical school feels isolating. As region chair, I’d like to organize a regional GroupMe that allows us to directly interact and share questions. My experience founding a medical humanities podcast at my school has taught me that the first step towards achieving our goals is just being able to communicate. With everyone’s input, we’ll be able to plan initiatives that are tailored to our region’s interests, and even share our school SIG events for greater outreach. One such initiative I’d like to introduce is a virtual happy hour with past PsychSIGN members and older medical students. Finding mentors isn’t easy, but this venue will make it more efficient to get realistic insight and guidance regarding our profession.
Without mentors, I wouldn’t have had the privilege to present internationally on medical ethics education or become a founding member of the national neurohumanities collective. The opportunities I did find myself, like working as a biostatistics consultant while in school, I only found after spending hours searching online. By establishing a regional Google Drive, we can collectively pool valuable resources, like internships, rotation advice, and residency spreadsheets, to efficiently support each other. Additionally, organizing virtual workshops with students from our region on practical skills we aren’t taught, like writing case studies, or finding a niche in psychiatry, will spotlight our individual strengths while supporting the whole region.
The secret of psychiatry lies in the emphasis placed on connection, and I’d love to leverage that in our own region, and maybe even meet up in person! 🙂
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Ashlee Guzman
As a potential candidate for the position of Region 5 Chair for the PsychSIGN National Board, I bring a wealth of experience and passion for fostering collaboration, patient advocacy, and health education. I am a current MD/MPH combined program candidate in my third year at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with a special interest in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
My work prior to and during medical school make me an ideal fit for the position. I have experience coordinating several multi-institutional NCI-funded breast cancer and preventive medicine projects as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University. These positions highlight my capacity to foster relationships with external institutions, a skill that will be instrumental in maintaining reciprocal relationships with PsychSIGN leaders and APA State Associations. I will also use my attention to detail and organizational skills to collect and manage contact information to maintain rosters and chapter lists, facilitating streamlined communication.
As a current Miller Mentor Executive Social Media PR Chair and Academic Societies Director, my ability to foster relationships between medical students, undergraduate students, and resident physicians aligns perfectly with the responsibility of facilitating direct correspondence with regional SIGN leaders and membership. I have collaborated with various students and organizations to facilitate events, successfully updated and managed social media accounts, and consistently demonstrated my proficiency in administrative management. I have a proven track record of successfully implementing online and in-person events and organizing meetings.
In addition, I bring innovative ideas to the table, such as “A Day in the Life”, which was an Instagram campaign I introduced during my time as a student government representative showcasing Miller students and their everyday lives in school, clinic, and extracurriculars with the goal of providing stronger support networks between students. My experiences in mentorship equip me with the skills needed to facilitate meaningful discussions, provide support and guidance, and unify our organization. I will ensure open lines of communication and open dialogue among medical schools and leaders to strengthen the impact of our initiatives and foster a sense of camaraderie. Furthermore, I plan to use my experiences to create and maintain platforms as a means of sharing news and events, highlight achievements in psychiatry and amongst students part of the organization, and collaboration within and between regions.
In summary, my diverse experiences in research, community service, mentorship, and public health make me a highly qualified candidate for the position of Region Chair. I am prepared to fulfill the responsibilities outlined for the role and to provide valuable contributions to our region, advancing the mission and objectives of PsychSIGN.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am eager to serve and represent the members of our region and contribute to the growth and success of our organization.
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Jayson Wild https://youtu.be/D_vxQMkSxnY
My name is Jayson Wild, I’m a medical student at Florida Atlantic University, and I’m excited to support and promote PsychSIGN’s mission to provide mentorship and guidance to medical students in my region and nationwide.
I have been fortunate to serve in a variety of leadership roles and volunteer positions during my academic career. Before medical school, I was the Vice President of my school’s chapter of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness). I received training and volunteered as a support group facilitator for family members of those who struggle with mental illness. I have seen the power of grassroots organizations to support and empower a community.
My fluency in Spanish has allowed me to connect with the Hispanic community in South Florida. During medical school I have volunteered with the Caridad Center, Florida’s largest student-run free clinic, providing translation services and running community engagement activities including a back-to-school drive and a workshop for women recently diagnosed with breast cancer to improve diet and exercise habits.
I have taken my love of Spanish and used it to help my fellow medical students through my role as Vice President of the Competency in Medical Spanish group at FAU. We aim to increase students’ knowledge and language skills, helping them to close communication barriers and better connect with their Hispanic patients.
I recently had the privilege of attending the annual conference of the American Psychosomatic Society in Brighton, UK as a recipient of the MD Travel Award. This conference showed me the exciting research that is driving our understanding of the mind-body connection and I hope to connect medical students with opportunities to contribute to this research and get involved.
As a regional leader for PsychSIGN, I aim to provide mentorship, support, and resources to medical students interested in psychiatry within my region. I will work tirelessly to create opportunities for students to engage in meaningful experiences, such as workshops, seminars, and networking events, that will enhance their understanding of psychiatry and mental health. Furthermore, I am committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of psychiatry. I will strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds feel empowered to pursue their interests in psychiatry.
Region 6 – Unopposed: Meet Marcus Paoletti
Marcus is a third-year medical student at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate studies where he majored in molecular and cellular biology. In medical school, Marcus has held several leadership positions. He is currently a Foundation Ambassador for the American Psychiatric Association where he acts as a liaison between the APA and the Southern California region. He has served on his medical school’s alumni association and as an interviewer for the USC recruitment committee. Marcus’s love for psychiatry stems from working with previously incarcerated individuals at Homeboy Industries, where he saw the longstanding impacts of the team’s efforts on underserved groups. Marcus is interested in mindfulness as an accessible tool for mental health and now leads mindfulness meditation sessions at the LA General Hospital Wellness Center. He is interested in furthering the understanding of the mind-body connection through heart rate variability (HRV), which he has presented on at several national psychiatry conferences including APA. He hopes to continue to study HRV as a tool to assist psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in clinical decision making such as medication management.
Through these experiences, Marcus has garnered a holistic passion for psychiatry and hopes to share that passion as the California Regional Chair for PsychSIGN. He plans to strengthen relationships between PsychSIGN and the local student interest groups to increase the opportunities available to all students interested in psychiatry. He also plans to further ties between PsychSIGN and APA, increasing communication between students interested in psychiatry and current psychiatrists. If these sound helpful to you, he would greatly appreciate your support for California regional chair. Thank you.
Region 7 – Unopposed: Meet Jeremy Kurtz
Throughout my life, I have witnessed the profound impact of mental illness on many of my friends and family members. From depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and anorexia, I have personally seen the devastating effects of mental illness. Despite this exposure, discussions about mental health were scarce and often met with discomfort and resistance. I vividly recall an instance in which I asked my mother about a pill I saw her taking. To this, I received a short, curt response indicating it was an antidepressant, signaling that the topic was off-limits.
However, as I continued to observe the effects of mental illness, its significance in overall well-being became increasingly apparent. The topic’s importance, combined with its associated stigma, fueled my curiosity and led me to focus on psychiatry. To deepen my knowledge and practical experience, I dedicated hundreds of hours to shadowing multiple psychiatrists across the country, which strengthened my passion for the field.
My involvement with psychiatry quickly expanded beyond shadowing and actively participated in several psychiatric research projects. On one project, I was the team leader for a research project investigating the stigma around postpartum depression amongst mothers in Rwanda. Through this leadership position I collaborated with medical students in Rwanda to develop a research project aimed at identifying and reducing stigma associated with postpartum depression. In addition to my leadership role in research, I held the role of Vice President of the Psychiatry Club at my medical school. Through this role, I collaborated with many community members and businesses to organize an event designed to expose members of the public the many different resources available for developing and maintaining mental health. As vice president I also collaborated with other medical students to produce educational materials around specific mental illnesses to increase medical knowledge of various psychiatric conditions. Additionally, I have collaborated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to assist in the production of events aimed at raising awareness for mental health.
As the Region 7 Chair, my primary goal is to promote the destigmatization of mental illness. I plan to achieve this by hosting events where individuals can share their personal stories, fostering understanding and empathy for all the ways mental illness can have an impact. These events will serve as platforms for open dialogue, breaking down barriers and dispelling myths surrounding mental illness.
Furthermore, I will leverage my network of contacts within the psychiatric community to engage in meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities within the field. By collaborating with psychiatrists, we can identify pressing issues and work together to implement effective solutions.
Overall, my passion for mental health advocacy, coupled with my leadership experience in psychiatry, fuels my enthusiasm to serve as the Region 7 Chair for PsychSIGN. I truly hope to serve as Region 7 Chair so I may collaborate with others to foster empathy and instigate a positive change in the perception and treatment of mental illness.
Region 8 – vote here
Shreya Mathur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abXRJoolLVc&ab_channel=ShreyaMathur
My name is Shreya Mathur, and I am a 3rd year medical student at St. George’s University. Through my 3rd year, PsychsigN has been a great community and resource for me, and I would love to be more involved and help give back in the role of regional chair. I would be proud to represent not only my school, SGU, but also the very large and important international student community. This community is diverse and resilient, and I would love to represent those students. In the past, I have experience mentoring and tutoring fellow students at SGU, and I love the ability to form connections and be a point of guidance. This experience of being a medical school mentor also allowed me the opportunity to facilitate both tutoring sessions and discussions, such as journal clubs and Q&A sessions. Therefore, I believe I have the skills to host and facilitate PscyhSIGN meetings and conferences. I am also passionate about psychiatry, and PsychSIGN has helped me find a mentor who was helpful in guiding me towards applying in the field. In addition, I am a volunteer for the New York division of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) where I play a similar role in greeting and facilitating meetings between members who are impacted by various disorders. It is a great experience having a community of like-minded people. I also am very keen on making connections and learning more about the field of psychiatry. As an attendee of the 2024 APA conference, I am greatly looking forward to knowing more about the advancements in psychiatry and bond with others who share the same passion. I believe the larger APA organization has many resources that will guide PsychSIGN, and I hope to be an anchor point between the two organizations as regional chair. Lastly, as I am exiting my 3rd year of medical school, I believe I am in a place now to be somewhat of a mentor and peer to those who are going through a similar journey. There is always so much to learn in psychiatry, but also in medicine in general, and I want to take what I have learned and use my role as a leader as regional chair of PsychSIGN to help guide others and help uplift the community of budding psychiatrists.
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Ximena Cors https://youtu.be/ISUvY2uGOGY
As an international medical student from Mexico and aspiring Psychiatrist in the US, I empathize deeply with the challenges IMGs encounter while navigating the American mental healthcare system. I know how difficult it is to get involved and feel like we belong, considering factors like cultural diversity and the varying approaches to mental health in our respective countries. As a student, I have faced many challenges in finding opportunities that bring me closer to the field. Throughout this process, I have found that student organizations are a great way to get involved in the community. Having said this, I am passionate about making this process easier for the people that come after me. That’s precisely why I believe I’d excel as a regional chair. I grasp the unique challenges faced by international students, and I’m driven to close those gaps, empowering students like myself to grow as future mental health professionals on a global scale.
I firmly believe that I can contribute significantly as a member of the PsychSIG Board. My background includes experience in event planning and organization. I’ve been actively involved in coordinating various events at my school, ranging from volunteer brigades to medical conferences, and I’ve played an important role in establishing and running the APA Chapter at our school. Within this capacity, I’ve taken on responsibilities such as coordinating talks, organizing events, and facilitating networking opportunities. These experiences have equipped me with organizational and collaborative skills that are directly applicable to effective leadership and active involvement within the PsychSIG Board. I am eager to leverage my expertise to contribute meaningfully to the board’s objectives and initiatives.
As the regional chair for students outside of the US and Canada, I will be committed to fostering collaboration, providing resources, and advocating for the needs of international medical students. Together, we can cultivate a more inclusive and supportive community within PsychSIGN, ensuring that every member feels valued and prepared to excel as future mental health professionals.
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Hada Fongha Ieong https://youtu.be/D6sxxSCdZjE
Hada Fongha Ieong is a first-year medical student at Ross University, School of Medicine in Barbados. I was born and raised in Macau before I moved to the US for college. I was a first-generation immigrant of to the US, first-generation to study science in college, and first generation to enter medicine and the Navy. I am passioned about precision psychiatry and how we, future psychiatrists, can build a positive environment to connect and grow together to solve local and global problems in mental health and speak for our future patients. Future leadership starts now. You and me. One of the outstanding concerns is: we do not have enough psychiatrists in the workforce. As a Region 8 Chair, I will tactic this challenge and support PsychSIGN in three dimensions. First, Listen and Serve. I will assist and serve the body of the international medical students and graduates (IMGs) at PsychSIGN by organizing professional development events. There are unique career challenges for IMGs. As an international medical student, I will join force to develop a plan of action to address the unique needs of IMG members. Second, Participation and Growth. I will engage in conversations at PsychSIGN monthly leadership meetings and be a responsible, voting member. I will also assist the leadership of the President and President-Elect and the National Board and work together to provide more opportunities, resources for our members’ heath and growth and interests of expanding knowledge. As a former chair of the Macau Chapter of Society for Neuroscience (SfN), I am confident that I will be a collaborative team member on the Board and an inclusive servant for Region 8. Third, Connect our team and members through science and poetry. As a PhD graduate in neuroscience and a poet, I am unable to separate science from art, vice versa. Are we getting closer to precision psychiatry? We will first need “precision” members, suggesting an individualized approach to include and know a member of PsychSIGN through his or her lens of science and/or art.
Sowmika Boppana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n6b88QojqY
Hi, my name is Sowmika, and I am a third-year medical student at St. George’s University, located in Grenada. I was born in India and moved to the US when I was nine years old. Stemming from a South Asian background has allowed me to witness a strong prevalence of stigma surrounding mental health within my community. I have seen how unresolved trauma and mental health issues can trickle down and affect generation after generation, and thereby, affect whole communities. I am eagerly working towards being an advocate for those who are vulnerable and struggling with seeking support; In this way, I aspire to help destigmatize issues surrounding mental health. After I started my third year rotation in psychiatry, my experience in the mental health community center really affirmed that this is the path of medicine I’d like to pursue. It is so deeply humbling and an honor to hold space for the entirety of a patient, and learn how their childhood, race, cultural background, upbringing, and life experiences inform the person who shows up at the hospital. I find psychiatry to be an incredible field, because it is very rewarding when we are able to treat a patient successfully, and then witness how that affects all aspects of that patient’s life and the way they interact with the world.
Therefore, as the international chair for PsychSIGN, I would love to work with members of the organization and be a resource where they can learn about the social disparities that exist within diverse communities and how they manifest in various psychiatric phenomena. As the international chair, I really hope to form meaningful connections with members across the different medical schools internationally and create various learning, research and volunteering opportunities for everyone. In order to achieve this, I envision organizing zoom presentations by psychiatry residents or those who very recently graduated and have matched into psychiatry. Members can learn from their experiences of their journey to psychiatry. This would allow students to gain a greater insight on how to be a stronger candidate for residency and find meaningful mentorship. We can even use social media to hold “Ask Me Anything” sessions where members can ask questions to psychiatry residents and gain tips on how to navigate the challenges of being a medical student, the application process, and host more Instagram takeovers where previous members or alumni share what a day in their life in residency looks like. We can even post interesting case studies, provide tips on publishing case studies, and opportunities to attend conferences on Instagram stories. I really think that as future professionals interested in this field, it would also be beneficial to form meaningful connections with each other. I propose that we do this by holding workshops on zoom, pertaining to topics such as mindfulness, yoga, breathwork, and self-care that can help students manage their stress. The students can use these wellness modalities in the future personally, as well as share these tools with their patients. We can also host workshops where we discuss what we might find challenging during rotations, specifically psychiatry. Through conversations in a safe environment, I hope we can feel more supported and less alone in the process and find effective solutions. We can also review various skills such as how to properly note down the Mini Mental Status exam, how to obtain a thorough history, and hold psychiatry shelf review sessions on topics that students especially struggle with such as, psychopharmacology, drugs of abuse, etc. These resources would help students excel during their clinical rotations.
Thank you so much for your consideration, and I hope to have a wonderful year with you all!!
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Arpit Singh https://youtu.be/D4SRHVZ58gI
As an international medical student with a profound passion for mental health and psychiatry, I am eager to serve as the International Chair for PsychSIGN. Having navigated the unique challenges faced by international students interested in pursuing psychiatry, I am intimately familiar with the barriers to resources, mentorship, and opportunities that can be a hurdle to our growth and representation in this critically important field.
My experiences rotating through psychiatric units in the US and India have opened my eyes to the staggering burden of mental illness globally, as well as the dire need for more culturally competent and global mental health professionals. At the same time, I have also witnessed the disparities in access to psychiatric education, training, and career development resources between students in the United States and those from other countries.
If elected as International Chair, my utmost priority would be to amplify the voices and meet the needs of PsychSIGN’s international student membership. I envision establishing international chapters to facilitate collaboration and idea exchange across borders. These chapters will help us host events spotlighting transcultural issues in psychiatry while raising awareness of mental health stigmas that persist in many cultures worldwide.
Moreover, I would like to come up with a comprehensive student guide on psychiatric residencies globally, evaluating the strengths of various training programs and demystifying the application process. Complementing this, I aim to lay the foundation to a robust international mentorship network, pairing students with residents and psychiatrists who can advise on navigating careers in psychiatry in their respective countries of interest from an international vantage point.
Having held leadership roles in other international medical student organizations like the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) and AMSA (Asian Medical Students Association), I appreciate the power of synergistic partnerships. I would prioritize forging novel collaborations between PsychSIGN and other global student groups, allowing us to share resources, audiences, and innovative ideas for promoting psychiatry education and mental health advocacy internationally.
One of the biggest obstacles I faced as an international student selected for PsychSIGN’s Social Media Chair position last year was the significant time zone gap, which ultimately prevented me from continuing in that role. This is an unfortunately common issue that restricts many passionate international students from taking on leadership responsibilities and making a full impact. However, this time I will proactively address time zone discrepancies from the start. Since I’ll be mostly in the U.S. for my away rotations and academic commitments, I will strategically divide my schedule to allocate dedicated time blocks seamlessly aligning with Psychsign’s operations. With flexible solutions to transcend time zones, I can ensure the international voice is consistently prioritized and not marginalized.
Ultimately, my goal is to celebrate the unique perspectives and representation that international students bring to the psychiatric community. By expanding access to opportunities and breaking down barriers, we can uplift diverse voices into leadership roles that can dynamically reshape this field for the better worldwide.
I humbly ask for your vote as we embark on a new era of uniting and empowering PsychSIGN’s international membership like never before. Together, we can dismantle the disparities that have historically impeded the growth and impact as global citizens in psychiatric medicine. Thank you for your consideration!