Psychology Section Graduation Recognizes Fellows, Faculty

The Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Psychology Section held its graduation ceremony June 15 for Psychology Fellows who completed internships through the Yale Doctoral Internship in Clinical and Community Psychology.

Seventeen fellows were joined by faculty and family members from across the country during the virtual ceremony, which commemorated the completion of the fellows’ one-year internship at Yale. For these students, completion of the predoctoral internship was the final step toward obtaining their doctorate in psychology.

Diplomas were presented to:

• Vinushini Arunagiri, a fellow in the Adult DBT Service at Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital.
• Ruben Atilano, Jr., a fellow in Clinical and Community Psychology within the Department of Psychiatry whose placements were the Hispanic Clinic and The Consultation Center.
• Bryan Benitez, a fellow at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit (SATU).
• Maria Christina Crouch, a fellow at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit and The Consultation Center.
• Nickholas Grant, a fellow in The Consultation Center and West Haven Mental Health Center.
• Matthew Aaron Hagler, a fellow in the Young Adult Service and the Child and Adolescent Service at the West Haven Mental Health Clinic.
• Jasmine Kaur Kaleka, a fellow in the Adult Inpatient Service/Acute Inpatient Unit at the Connecticut Mental Health Center.
• Caroline Cecil Kaufman, a fellow in the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program and the Yale Gender Program.
• Hedy Kober, PhD, a fellow at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Adult DBT Services.
• Jennifer M. Loya, a fellow in the Adult DBT Service at the Yale New Haven Hospital.
• Mairead H. McConnell, a fellow in the Behavioral Medicine Service at Yale New Haven Hospital.
• Zenobia Shamim Morrill, a fellow in Adult Community Mental Health Services.
• Samuel Joseph Nayman, a fellow at The Consultation Center and West Haven Mental Health Clinic.
• Danielle Nicole Pratt, a fellow in Adult Community Mental Health Services.
• Cara Ann Struble, a fellow in the Forensic Addiction Services/Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic.
• Chloe Jean Taub, a fellow in the Behavioral Medicine Service at Yale New Haven Hospital.
• Kathryn Anne Thomas, a fellow in the Forensic Addiction Services/Forensic Drug Diversion Clinic.

The annual graduation of fellows also serves as an occasion to recognize faculty within the Psychology Section. The following awards were conferred this year:

• Elizabeth Connors, PhD, for Outstanding Contributions as a Supervisor.
• Amber W. Childs, PhD, for Outstanding Contributions as a Teacher.
• Jennifer Czincz, PhD, for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology Training.
• Debra M. Bond, PhD, for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology Training.

In her commencement address, Cindy Crusto, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology) and Deputy Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion spoke to the fellows about passing the baton to them, not only with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism work but as psychologists, no matter what form their career takes.

She described the baton as a symbol of leadership, as in a marching band, and as a symbol of teamwork as in a track and relay race.

"I know you will take the baton and go out do great things to advance the field of psychology and lead in so many ways," she said. "As we pass the baton to you I know that you will lead with compassion, integrity, humility, and teamwork. We see the possibility for our future and you, and it gives us great hope."