Program Highlights

As the birthplace of the biopsychosocial model, in which our education is firmly grounded, URMC Psychiatry is committed to nurturing a model of integrated care as it develops proficient and compassionate psychiatrists who are well-equipped for a broad range of clinical opportunities in psychiatry and who can work collaboratively with our patients, their families, the community and our colleagues.

With a humanistic lens unique to our institution that defines medicine as an art informed by science, and our dedication to a high standard of clinical education and research, we strive to meet the mental health needs of our region and beyond by producing physician educators, advocates, and leaders with diverse interests who are consistently enthusiastic about propelling the field of psychiatry forward.  

We strive to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity within our residents, who will promote our values of mutual respect, humility, and cultural competence and who will act with integrity to confront inevitable challenges to patient care in pursuit of The University of Rochester’s philosophy of Meliora – “ever better”.

Our Approach

Multifaceted Clinical Settings and Patient Populations

The Department of Psychiatry provides a full range of mental health services across the life span including all levels of care from general outpatient to crisis intervention to partial hospitalization and inpatient care, also a range of inpatient and outpatient consultation-liaison services, as well as many preventive and supportive services. Our patient base ranges from those living in rural areas to suburbanites to inner city residents.

Attention to Cultural Competency

We strive for an atmosphere that fosters multiple perspectives and mutual respect. Such an atmosphere is crucial not only within the program itself and among the residents but also to better understand and work with a wide array of patients. We value multiple perspectives and experiences in clinical work and program didactics. We offer didactic sessions about working with a variety of patient populations, including a series on Ethnic Psychologies.  The residency is an affiliate of the URMC Association of Minority Residents and Fellows (AMRF). In addition, we are developing a health equity curriculum.

Great Teaching

Our affiliation with the University of Rochester means we have the resources of one of the nation's best medical schools. Our residents have a high level of satisfaction with attendings, and residents at all levels are involved in teaching medical students.

Scholarly Distinction

Our large department has over 100 accomplished full- or part-time clinical and research faculty members with various areas of expertise. Our well-funded, innovative clinic and community-based research portfolio extends across the life span, and has local, national, and international reach. Residents are encouraged to take an active role in research projects, with mentorship provided – for interested residents we also have a research track that encompasses all 4 years of residency. We have an excellent history of obtaining NIH Mentored Career Development awards for junior faculty.

Reasonable Workload

Clinical rotations are developed based on learning objectives, and many of our clinical services are not resident-dependent. There is no overnight call. The duration/pace of the typical workday varies by rotation. In Psychiatry, this is typically manageable. At times, the work can be demanding, and sometimes workdays and workweeks are longer than others. This is part not only of training but of a career in medicine, which can become even more evident after training.  While patient work can and should be satisfying, time away from the hospital and clinics is also important. We value the balance between work as a physician and life outside of work.

Residents benefit from individual attention and one-to-one supervision with attendings, involved program leadership, and many opportunities to build rapport with colleagues.

Strong Fellowships

Many of our residents pursue fellowships within our institution, in forensic, geriatric, child/adolescent, consultation liaison psychiatry, or addictions psychiatry. Residents get a considerable amount of exposure in these ares, and are also encouraged to pursue their own special interests.

Special Endowed Gift for Resident Wellness

Thanks to the visionary generosity of Teresa Miller, MD, ’83M (Res) and John Goeke, the Dr. Teresa R. Miller Psychiatry Resident Wellness Fund was recently established in the Department of Psychiatry. The proceeds from the endowment are intended to allow psychiatry residents to attend the annual Mindful Practice in Medicine Retreat developed by the University of Rochester’s Ronald Epstein, MD and Mick Krasner, MD.  This endowment represents a commitment to the holistic health of those who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others. It is a testament to the belief that by nurturing psychiatry residents' mental and emotional well-being, there will be a ripple effect that positively impacts countless lives. 
Learn more about the endowment

Our Goal

We aim to graduate residents who are:

• Well trained in a range of settings and with a range of patient populations to prepare them for clinically competent psychiatric practice in the areas of their choice.
• Prepared to be lifelong learners who continually develop their understanding and practice, both through sound interpretation of the evolving literature and with use of self-assessment and quality improvement techniques.
• Instilled with a social conscience, aware of the social determinants of mental health, work towards leveling the playing field, and strive for a high ethical standard of practice.
• Able to effectively educate others, whether patients, patient families, other trainees, or colleagues.
• Capable of understanding and responding to patients from a biopsychosocial perspective by being culturally humble and avoiding reductionistic thinking. This means being fearlessly open to ourselves and also to being taught by our patients, who grant us the privilege of allowing us into their lives.   
• Motivated to pursue their professional development, acknowledging the importance of the biopsychosocial perspective not only in those we treat, but in our colleagues as well.