Department of Psychiatry Honors Residents, Fellows, Faculty, Staff at 2025 Annual Commencement Ceremonies

The Yale Department of Psychiatry honored 21 residents at the annual Yale Psychiatry Residency Program commencement ceremony June 17 at the New Haven Lawn Club.

The graduates are: Seyi Adeyinka, MD, MPH; Matthew Basilico, MD, PhD; Shivani Bhatt, MD, PhD; Caylan Bookman, MD; Jose Calderon, MD; Clare Cameron, MD, PhD; Terrance Embry, MD, MS; Kaosoluchi Enendu, MD, MBA; Diego Galán, MD, MPhil; Bria Godley, MD; Maria Kim, MD, MSc; Tom Laux, MD; Jae Lee, MD; Alec Lerner, MD; Victoria Lewis, MD, MSW, MPP; Marcos Moreno, MD; Max Rolison, MD; Kia Sayers, MD; Alana Slavin, MD, MSc; Aminata Traore, MD; and Andy Wen, MD, MPH.

The welcome greeting was given by John H. Krystal, MD, chair of the Yale Department of Psychiatry, who praised the graduates for their hard work. He urged them to stay in touch with the department and its alumni network as they embark on careers in the New Haven area and beyond.

The department's Fellowship Programs graduated the following fellows at their virtual graduation ceremonies:

Drs. Anthony Damico, Ava Daruvala, Raveena Gill, Jacob Horton, Candace Jones, Bradford Martins, Eugene Osagie, Shelby Powers, and Nursel Selcukler

Drs. Loay Alrojolah, Faith Donaghey, Danielle Jones, and Alexander Poznanski

Drs. Lee Hiromoto, Michael Mensah, Eri Shoji, Joellyn Sheehy, and Stephen Wemakor

Drs. Hajira Chaudhry, Kyra Doumlele, Mayra Guindin-Orama, and Eli Neustadter

Dr. Jacob Cross

Drs. Katherine Meidl, Marcos Moreno, Adaobi Nwabuo, and Hena Yakoob

Stephen Fleck Award

Dr. Ebony Dix: Awarded to a faculty member (s) who demonstrates the highest standards of a clinician and educator, following in the footsteps of the late Dr. Stephen Fleck, a long-time member of the Yale faculty who served as a shining example of a clinician-scholar who insisted on giving the highest priority to patient care and teaching.

Chairman’s Award

Dr. Matthew Girgenti: The Chairman's Award is given to a junior, full-time faculty member who has excelled in the department's goals of enriching knowledge, transmitting understanding and providing excellence in the delivery of care.

Frank G. Fortunati Award

Dr. Robert Ostroff: The Department of Psychiatry established this award to celebrate the memory of Dr. Frank Fortunati so that others may be inspired to follow his example. Until his untimely death in 2023 at the age of 58 after a long battle against illness, Dr. Fortunati served as Deputy Chair for the Yale New Haven Health System for the Yale Department of Psychiatry and Vice Chief of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.

Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award

Dr. Tichianaa Armah: The recipient for this award is chosen from the voluntary (clinical) faculty and has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the department, on a completely voluntary basis. The areas of service include, but are not limited to, teaching, supervision, and committee work.

Resident Teaching Award

Drs. Tom Laux and Amy Cheung: The Resident Teaching Award is given in memory of our former resident and colleague, Dr. James Longhurst. It acknowledges and recognizes the contribution of a Yale Psychiatry Resident as an outstanding teacher and role model. The residents are nominated for this award by students, peers, and faculty.

Ira Levine Award

Dr. Alyssa Nielsen: The Ira Levine Award was established in 2004 to recognize outstanding PGY-2 psychiatry residents who best embody the qualities of clinical excellence, breadth of learning, and devotion to the care of severe psychiatric illness exemplified by Dr. Levine.

PRA Teaching Award

Drs. Elie Abdelnour and Susan Kruger: This award acknowledges the outstanding contribution of one or more attending physicians to the education and development of the residents.

PRA Benjamin S. Bunney Award

Dr. Terrance Embry: The Benjamin S. Bunney Award is awarded annually to a resident who has demonstrated exceptional service to the Psychiatry Residents’ Association (PRA) mission of advocacy for residents and patients, clinical care, and education.

PRA Award for Outstanding Supportive Service

Connor Sweeney: This award goes to an outstanding nurse, social worker, or other support staff.

PRA Resident Diversity Award

Dr. Yasmin Rawlins: This award recognizes residents who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in our communities.

PRA Faculty Diversity Award

Dr. Ruby Lekwauwa: This award recognizes one or more attending physicians who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in our communities.

Chief Team Certificates

Drs. Kaosoluchi Enendu and Marcos Moreno, Program-Wide Chief Residents

Dr. Aminata Traore, Program-Wide Chief Resident for Diversity & Inclusion

Dr. Terrance Embry, Program-Wide Chief Resident for Recruitment, Community Building, and DEI

Outstanding Staff Awards

Mary Kate DeMarco, Chris Gardner, Varaidzo Nhundu, and Charla Nich: The recipients for these awards are chosen from the full-time staff (M&P and C&T) of the Department of Psychiatry. The awardees are selected on the basis of exceptional commitment to the success of the Department of Psychiatry in any of its missions or strategic initiatives.