The interview trail is tough. Each program brings with it the potential for professional growth, personal connections and new people and places. One also wonders: will I like it here? Will I find a hospitable environment where I can grow and become the best psychiatrist possible? For me Cornell stood out as an excellent clinical training program, and seemed to cater to a truly diverse population : from the underserved to the extremely privileged, which is truly a cross-section of what New York City is. Cornell was also reputed to be a program rich in teaching psychiatrists to be thoughtful and well-trained therapists, and as a now PGY3 I understand this reputation. Our program is a place where the treatment of personality disorders and psychoanalytic thinking in particular have been aided by great minds who remain on our faculty and staff to this day. The program makes good on its promise to train residents who can think about patient's from a broad perspective and who are prepared to face every complaint from trait anxiety and chronic depression in the outpatient clinic to florid mania or wild psychotic breaks in the emergency room. I am grateful to be a resident here and absorb the thoughtful and balanced approach of the attendings and teachers across the spectrum of our program's education.
New York City is a fascinating melting pot of cultures, people, ideas, activities, opportunities and energies. It is a city of possibilities. Here you can experience distinct parts of your own identity, develop your creative and mental life and take with you experiences to last a lifetime. Living in New York City is always an experience to have and cherish and take with you on your life's journey.
I am interested in LGBTQI+ populations as well as treating individuals and families who come from highly religious backgrounds. The nexus of culture, mental health and personality are areas of particular interest to me. While I plan to end up in an outpatient role after graduation, I have come to appreciate the unique opportunities of caring for patients in more acute setting as well as in consultation-liaison psychiatry.
When I was thinking about becoming a psychiatrist, I knew that more than a quality clinical education, I wanted to learn how to conceptualize and think about my patients and the nature of their difficulties. Cornell gives you that gift, not just of learning psychopharmacology and therapy skills, but how to thoughtfully think about your patients, grasp the realities of their multiple domains of existence, and make decisions based on these conceptions. Cornell would teach me how to think in the way that I wanted to and this was most important to me.
Diversity of experience is paramount to my enjoyment. I love that I can end my work day and have an entire city to explore. As a person who really values my life outside of work, this richness of experiences makes NYC the best!
Child, Forensics, and Psychoanalysis
Initially, I was drawn to this program for its reputation of having outstanding clinical training. When I had my interview day, I knew I wanted to come here because of the people. The residents were a joyful, tight knit group, and the attendings were so warm and welcoming.
The psychiatry department is full of masterful clinicians at the top of their fields, whom I found from day one to be endlessly devoted to their trainees. There is so much warmth and mentorship in this program.
On the Upper East Side, near the hospital, Central Park and Carl Schurz Park are perfect for long walks and picnics with co-residents! Throughout the pandemic, these parks provided the fresh air so many of us needed. I can’t neglect this neighborhood’s bakeries (the best in NYC in my opinion!): Levain and Orwashers! The infamous Levain cookies are a go-to order for residents’ birthdays!
Weill Cornell was the most well rounded institution that I interviewed at. The department has everything that you could want in a psychiatric training - ongoing robust neurobiological research, ketamine/TMS, an openness to integrating cutting edge treatment modalities, and psychodynamically minded faculty who work to incorporate those elements in every interaction and setting of practice. Coupled with this are the people who make up the program. Faculty are accomplished and approachable. Co-residents are supportive and wonderful people who have quickly become friends.
Best city in the world. On any given day you can do anything you want all within 45 minutes. You can go to the beach, hike, eat literally any type of food that exists on the planet, see amazing art, shows, or sit in the grass in a park. I love waking up on a weekend and realizing that there are so many ways my day could turn out. Beyond all of the options for activities, NYC has an energy and culture that I feel is unrivaled by any other city.
Why Weill Cornell Medicine?
I chose Cornell for its long and illustrious history of psychotherapy training and for the care it takes to support resident well-being. As an added bonus, I get to follow in my mom's footsteps from her Payne Whitney training 35 years ago!
Getting to live with my fiancé!
General adult psychotherapy; peripartum mood and anxiety disorders; therapeutic use of psychedelics
As a Cornell medical student Psychiatry was my last clerkship, I had been planning to go into OBGYN but I loved my experience with WCM Psychiatry so much that I switched fields very late in my third year. I knew that Cornell would continue to be a great fit but kept an open mind on the interview trail. Cornell's rich culture of psychodynamic training combined with an incredibly warm and family-like environment was something I couldn't find in any other program.
I love the walking culture -- I love being able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, central park, and museums. A friend once said "in NYC we don't live in our apartments, we live in the city" and I really take that to heart (and COVID really hasn't changed that!). Zero commute: My apartment, the hospital, and my daughter's daycare are all at the intersection of 70th and York. This makes a huge difference, especially during intern year when time outside of the hospital is especially precious. I love raising my toddler in NYC. There are tons of playgrounds and parks nearby so she always has lots of playmates. We spend whole days in Central Park so she still has plenty of time outdoors. I love that she is growing up in this diverse and vibrant city.
I'm still very open-minded but women's mental health, family therapy, and general adult psychotherapy are strong areas of interest.
I chose Cornell because of the people. The faculty here are not only experts in what they do, but they also care immensely about educating and supporting residents. Speaking of residents, I couldn’t imagine a lovelier family to train with!
Thrifting at vintage clothing & book stores, trying new restaurants all around the city, and being near friends and family.
Being an intern, I’m still exploring my interests within psychiatry!
I remember on my interview day feeling that everyone was so warm, welcoming, and enthusiastic about the program. Now that I’m here, I understand firsthand what that excitement was about. The faculty, the administration, and the residents are all very eager to teach and learn from each other. There is a sense of family which is so important when you’re living and training in such a big, anonymous city like NYC.
Walking everywhere, never running out of restaurants to try, going to dog parks, meeting up with co-residents (who often live very close to each other!)
Possibly reproductive psychiatry... but we’ll see!
