Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
Message from our Program Director
Nilima Thakkar, MD
Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Education
Thank you for your interest in the Sandra and Leon Levine Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Atrium Health - Carolinas Medical Center. We are excited that you are considering our program and our vibrant community for your next phase of training.
Our fellowship offers a rich and diverse learning experience within a dynamic network of training sites and expert faculty, providing exposure to a wide range of patient populations across the Charlotte region. Over two transformative years, you will progress through a structured curriculum designed to develop expertise in clinical practice, teaching, research, and leadership. Challenging rotations, along with mentorship-driven learning, will support your continuous growth, enhancing both your confidence and clinical competence. All fellows are actively involved in teaching junior learners and participating in quality improvement projects. With close supervision from our dedicated faculty, each fellow receives personalized guidance to shape their professional development and hone the skills necessary to lead and practice in diverse healthcare settings.
In the first year, you will gain foundational training in acute psychiatric care at Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte. Here, you will engage in hands-on experiences across inpatient units and the partial hospitalization program. The second year of the fellowship emphasizes longitudinal outpatient care, with opportunities to work in Atrium Health’s specialized child & adolescent psychiatry clinics as well as school-based mental health programs, and community clinics. You will also expand your training with a rotation in emergency psychiatry at Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte, the region’s only 24/7 dedicated psychiatric emergency department, where you will manage acute crises involving children, adolescents, and young adults. Please explore our site for further details.
We are committed to developing outstanding clinicians and fostering lifelong learners who are driven to make a meaningful, positive impact in the lives of the children and families they serve. We are excited about the possibility of you joining our program and look forward to welcoming you to the Atrium Health family.
Where You Will Train
Carolinas Medical Center
Carolinas Medical Center serves as the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. Training here will include neurology, developmental pediatrics, child maltreatment and abuse, and consult liaison rotations.
Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte
Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte featuring the only dedicated psychiatric emergency department in the region will serve as the primary site for Fellows. The facility also includes; a child and adolescent inpatient unit, a first break psychosis outpatient program, addiction services for teenagers, outpatient neuroatypical children program, and child and adolescent outpatient services.
Meet the Team
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Nilima Thakkar, MD
Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Education
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Brittainy Renee Erby, MD
Associate Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Education
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James C Rachal, MD
Chairman, Medical Director, Behavioral Health Charlotte
Program Curriculum
The curriculum at the Sandra and Leon Levine Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship is designed to provide comprehensive training in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders in children and adolescents. It combines rigorous didactic education with hands-on clinical experience, covering essential areas such as psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, developmental psychopathology, and the impact of familial and social dynamics on mental health. Trainees will gain exposure to various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community-based care, and will learn to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
The program emphasizes cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and evidence-based practices in treating diverse patient populations. Unique learning opportunities in this program include:
- Telepsychiatry
- School-Based Mental Health Services
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Family Systems Training
- Emergency Psychiatric Services in a 24/7 Behavioral Health Emergency Department
Application Criteria
The following is a list of requirements for our program:
- Completed at least three years of an ACGME (AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC) accredited residency program by start date
- Completed application through ERAS
- Three letters of recommendation, including one from the Residency Training Director
- USMLE and/or COMLEX transcripts/scores
- Official ECFMG Status Reports for all international medical graduates
- USA Citizenship, Permanent Resident Status, or J1
- Medical school transcripts
- Medical school Dean's letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement
Thank you for your interest in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program. If you have any questions, please contact James Cates, Program Coordinator.