American Psychiatric Association (APA) and American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) Fellowships provide psychiatry residents the experiential learning, training and professional development they need to be leaders in the field of psychiatry. The fellowship programs offer opportunities to work with Congress on health policy, conduct research, expand access to care to minority and underserved populations, and focus on particular areas of expertise. In addition, APA Fellows get exclusive opportunities to be a part of APA leadership councils and network with APA members from around the country.

This year, three of our psychiatry residents received APA/APAF Fellowships. Lio Perez, MD, PGY 2, was selected for the APA SAMHSA Minority Fellowship, a program that strives to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of racial and ethnic minority psychiatry residents to teach, administer, conduct services research and provide culturally competent, evidence-based mental health services to minority and/or underserved populations.

Manal Khan, MBBS, PGY 2, and James Koved, MD, PGY3, were selected for the Diversity Leadership Fellowship designed to develop leadership to improve the quality of mental health care for minority groups at risk and underrepresented in psychiatry. The fellowship identifies and motivates psychiatry residents who – through the experiential and training opportunities of the program – will become well-equipped leaders in psychiatry by providing culturally sensitive mental health services to diverse and underserved populations.

Congratulations to Lio, Manal and James!