Residents
Class of 2024
Amber Butler, MDHometown: Greenville, SC
Undergrad: College of Charleston
Medical School: University of South Carolina-Greenville
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose the Sandra and Leon Levine Psychiatry Residency program because it provides me with the opportunity to see a diverse patient population and a diverse psychopathology of patients. Atrium has a vast number of faculty allowing for us to learn many different styles and see different perspectives, while still allowing for autonomy. Our smaller program allows for more one on one teaching and valuable learning opportunities.
Bradford Hutcheson, MDHometown: East Prairie, MO
Undergrad: Southeast Missouri State University
Medical School: University of Missouri-Columbia
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: My main goal when I was looking for a program was to find a broad curriculum that focused on the wide variety of clinical aspects of Psychiatry. Atrium, with it’s multiple facilities and diverse patient population immediately caught my eye, but what really sold me was the culture. Faculty are clinicians first, meaning that all education is geared towards getting residents to provide the best care possible in the real world setting. The administration actively gathers and acts on feedback from residents, allowing for prompt solutions to any issues. The small class size allows for incredible flexibility when determining electives and, when combined with the multiple locations, allows us to arrange for brand new experiences rather than just having a pre-arranged list of possibilities. I’ve been consistently impressed by the adaptability this program provides and I feel confident that future residents in this program will be able to carve out their own unique path so that it fits their life goals.
Shilpa Krishnan, DOHometown: Columbus, OH
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: The thing that drew me most to Atrium Health’s program is the strong emphasis on resident education. Truly, all the faculty and the attendings want you to get the most out of your experience actually learning and not just doing busy work. And that’s how the curriculum is designed, to prioritize and cultivate educational opportunities. Secondly, the smaller class size is a strength to our program. We get to know faculty really well and have tons of support. We also become very close with residents from other classes. It honestly feels like a family here and I feel so lucky to have chosen this program to train!
Shizuka Tomatsu, MDHometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergrad: Saint Louis University
Medical School: University of Missouri-Columbia
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: While there are over 200 psychiatry residency training programs in the United States, Atrium Health is where you want to be. From day one, our program encourages residents to find their passion, through early exposure to telepsychiatry, psych ED, TMS, ECT, etc. I have always felt comfortable approaching my attendings and program director for career/life guidance. The degree to which this program prioritizes residents' health and wellbeing really impressed me and set it apart during my interview season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they have done everything possible to ensure our safety through creativity and flexibility while retaining educational value. I couldn't have asked for a better program. So, make the right choice. Choose Atrium.
Class of 2025
Martin Bahena, MDHometown: Lexington, NC
Undergrad: University of North Carolina
Medical School: University of North Carolina
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I was lucky enough to be able to work with a variety of CMC Psychiatry attendings during my 3rd and 4th years of medical school. During that time, I immediately noticed that the culture of the program highly emphasized resident education and well-being! I also had the chance to see just how diverse both the clinical rotations/location and patient population are. As a newly minted resident, I can already feel the family atmosphere amongst the co-residents and attendings. Lastly, Charlotte is an awesome city that continues to grow rapidly and offer lots of fun things to do.
Rikera Curry, MDHometown: Miami, FL
Undergrad: Duke University
Medical School: University of Miami
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose our program due to a variety of unique clinical experiences, including our first break psychosis program, a telepsychiatry rotation, and early exposure to ECT. I also enjoy having the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations that we see at our various training sites throughout Charlotte. Our program has a close-knit group of faculty and residents, who have all been super supportive throughout the transition to residency. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here and look forward to spending the next few years training at Atrium.
Katrina Hazim, MDHometown: Atlanta, GA
Undergrad: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose the CMC Psychiatry program because of the wide variety of opportunities it offered me. Atrium Health is the largest medical system in all of the Carolinas, which means that we have the opportunity to not only work with a diverse patient population in every setting, but also learn from highly esteemed physicians and staff. Resident education is prioritized at CMC. The faculty love to teach, and they're great at it! The small class size fosters one-on-one teaching and enriches our learning, while also making us a tight-knit community. As a newer program, it was built in such a way to allow us to shape our residency experience to our specific interests and passions, while also giving us the unique opportunity to shape the future of the program. Finally, Charlotte is such a fun city, with tons of breweries, restaurants, and activities to explore!
Jordyn Newmark, MDHometown: Glastonbury, CT
Undergrad: Boston College
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I was initially drawn to CMC for the small program size within a large healthcare network offering a wide variety of learning opportunities and diverse training experiences. However, what made me choose the Sandra and Leon Levine Psychiatry Residency program was the supportive environment and compassionate treatment for residents and patients alike. I also felt that I would have the greatest opportunity to have my voice heard at a program that is continuously evolving and takes the feedback of its residents seriously. The personable and warm interactions with faculty and residents during my interview made me realize that this is not just a residency program, but a family. Additionally, Atrium Health offers great benefits and the city of Charlotte offers all the lures of a big city without the big city prices. Overall, I felt that this program offered the greatest opportunity for me to thrive in both my personal and professional development and I continue to feel that way the more I experience of it.
Class of 2026
Mikeala Bekemeier, MDHometown: Mount Vernon, MO
Undergrad: University of Missouri
Medical School: University of Missouri
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: Initially on my residency application journey, I had no idea where I wanted to end up. I knew that, ultimately, the people in the program would be what made my decision. On my interview day with CMC psychiatry, I received such a warm welcome! They were not only interested in me as an applicant, but as a person too. Additionally, they have an amazing curriculum that includes emphases in telepsychiatry and ED psychiatry. My interest in LGBTQIA+ topics in psychiatry was also met with curiosity and excitement. Meeting my co-interns this year and starting my rotations has only confirmed that this was the right residency program for me. CMC psychiatry supports us as residents and will help us become the best physicians we can be.
Tim Bilal, DOHometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Kansas City University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC because it is the perfect combination of a small class size in a large medical system. I was especially drawn to the large and diverse patient population that CMC serves. The cherry on top was the city of Charlotte itself- a great city with plenty of surrounding nature for the best of both worlds!
Cheyenne Hammond, MDHometown: Columbia, SC
Undergrad: Washington University
Medical School: University of South Carolina
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose this program because I immediately felt supported as an individual coming into this residency. All of the directors and other residents took the time to get to know me beyond what was written in my application, and I knew that regardless of what my career goals were, this was going to be a place where I could grow as a professional and as a person. I get to wake up everyday and go to work with some of the most driven, compassionate, and fun people that I've ever met, and I couldn't ask for anything more.
Alana Parker, MDHometown: New York, NY
Undergrad: Sophie Davis
Medical School: City University of New York
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC because of the vast learning opportunities we have here. I knew I wanted to work with a diverse population in varied clinical settings. Further, a big bonus for me was the opportunities for early exposure to telepsychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatric care. Ultimately, I chose CMC because during my interview I felt like family. It was easy to see that everyone was excited to get to know me, which held true once I got here. Our small class sizes allow us to not only connect with all of our fellow residents but also with our faculty with ease.
Class of 2027
Devan Baijal, DOHometown: Brentwood, TN & Yokohama, Japan
Undergrad: University of Rochester
Medical School: Kansas City University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I always knew I wanted to go into Psychiatry, but I didn’t know what kind of residency program I wanted. It wasn’t until I started researching programs until CMC came up on my radar, and I instantly was attracted to the size of the program, the community, and the opportunities. When I did a rotation here, I instantly felt comfortable and knew this was somewhere I could learn to grow to be the best physician and psychiatrist I can be. I truly appreciate not only how close all the residents are, but also personal relationships you can form with attendings. The program has the best of both worlds in terms of having a community feel but with the added benefit of existing within a larger academic center. The opportunities are endless, and you truly have the availability to pursue what you’re interested in, while also being exposed to every subspeciality of psychiatry. Finally, Charlotte itself is a beautiful, bustling city and perfect for anyone!
Omari Baines-Waiz, DOHometown: Pensacola, FL
Undergrad: University of South Florida
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: When looking for programs to apply to, I wanted to find a program that had unique opportunities within psychiatry, had excellent teaching, and celebrated all types of diversity. I was fortunate to find all of these and more at CMC psychiatry! Before the application process began, I was able to connect with the program through their virtual open houses where I got to know the program’s leadership, residents, and values. I appreciate that the program encourages residents to pursue their passion within medicine by providing the necessary support and connections to shape their unique future. It was also evident from the virtual open houses and the interview day that the culture and relationship between leadership and residents is strong, allowing feedback from residents to be taken seriously and acted upon swiftly. Also, I can’t forget to mention the wonderful city of Charlotte! There’s always something to do in the area whether you enjoy trying new restaurants and bars, playing games, watching sports, or enjoying the outdoors!
Chris Carlisle, DOHometown: Amityville, NY
Undergrad: Farmingdale State College
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York
Why I chose CMC: Coming to CMC was something that I dreamed of when I first began my residency program search. During my interview, this interest was reciprocated by everyone I interacted with. This was the reassurance I needed to feel comfortable as I proceeded to the next step in my journey as a physician. Everyone expressed great pride in the healthcare system that Atrium is and how much they want it to grow. With the wide variety of facilities, diverse patient population, and strong collaboration, I recommend coming here to any seekers. You will be amazed at how easy it is to find your place at Atrium Health, and Charlotte, NC, as I have.
Kritheeka Kalathil, MDHometown: Asheville, NC
Undergrad: Miami University
Medical School: Wake Forest University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC Psychiatry because of my first-hand experience rotating with the program during my 3rd and 4th years of medical school. The attendings and residents I worked with were deeply invested in my education, fostering a positive learning environment. Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel like an integral part of the group from the first day! I was impressed by the program's focus on preparing residents to serve diverse communities, making it an invaluable resource for the area. The First Break Psychosis Program and the Assertive Community Treatment Team further demonstrated their dedication to community well-being. In the evolving field of psychiatry, CMC is a program that is eager to adapt and evolve to fit the needs of our patients.
Kirin Schultz, MDHometown: Clearwater, FL
Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: Chicago Medical School
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: When I was selecting my rank list for residency programs, I spent a lot of time figuring out what was important for my happiness and for my future career. I did an away rotation with CMC during my fourth year and was blown away by the compassion and knowledge every provider I worked with had. The city of Charlotte was exactly what I was looking for with a mix of city, nature, and great food. Ultimately, I felt that CMC Psychiatry was the perfect match with their innovative programs, amazing faculty, and its location in a great city to live in as a young professional.