Esperanza Diaz, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale, will receive the inaugural Area 1 American Psychiatric Association Member-in-Training Mentor Award. Dr. Diaz is medical director of the Connecticut Mental Health Center's Hispanic Clinic and the Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System, and is an associate program director of the Yale School of Medicine's Psychiatry Residency Program.
The Member-in-Training (MIT) Mentor award recognizes outstanding mentors of psychiatric trainees and/or medical students. Recipients were chosen for their mentorship, encouragement of leadership development, positive role modeling, and introducing MITs to American Psychiatric Association activities.
Dr. Diaz was nominated by four of her trainees.
One of those trainees, Jose Bejarano, MD, a current public psychiatry fellow, noted that Diaz has "demonstrated empathy, wonderful teaching, and a predisposition to provide genuine and caring feedback."
Magdalena Reyes, MD, a second-year psychiatry resident, said, "I'm particularly grateful for Dr. Diaz's welcoming demeanor and genuine accessibility. From day one she made it clear that I shouldn't hesitate to contact her for anything. I will occasionally receive a friendly e-mail simply checking-in to see how my year is going. She takes my interests very seriously and is always offering ways to make my experience both rewarding and educational."
"Dr. Diaz is an outstanding role model. She exemplifies dedication, graciousness, creativity, genuineness, respect and thoughtfulness," said Tichianaa Armah, MD, currently a fourth-year resident in the department. "She has involved me in interesting and exciting projects that fit my interest. Each day she helps to light the spark growing in me I did not even recognize in myself."
In her nomination letter, a current addiction psychiatry fellow and former chief resident, Carla Marienfeld, MD, added, "I can say without a doubt that Dr. Diaz's support, guidance, understanding, teaching, and mentorship has proved influential and valuable for my development as an academic psychiatrist. Her work and commitment to the residents is outstanding, and she is truly deserving of this recognition."
"This is really a wonderful recognition for Dr. Diaz's work as a mentor," said Robert Rohrbaugh, MD, professor of psychiatry, deputy chair for education and career development, and residency program director. "Mentoring the next generation is such an important activity and she does this with grace and effectiveness. As a national expert on care of Latino and Latina populations, she has helped our trainees with clinically related activities as well as scholarship in the area of cultural competence."
The award will be presented to Dr. Diaz at the Association's Assembly Luncheon on Saturday, May 5th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the organization's annual meeting.