Madeline Cusimano, M.D.

Medical School: University of Iowa- Carver College of Medicine

Professional Interests: General Inpatient Adult Psychiatry, Addiction psychiatry, community mental health, perinatal mental health, interdisciplinary care.
Outside Interests: II love playing almost any and all sports (sand volleyball, soccer, pickleball). I love music and am a singer. My husband and I love finding live music spots around town. I also love to keep up with the chiefs, WNBA, and women’s soccer.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? University Health and CBM expose us to a very diverse and underserved patient population, which has always been very important to me when pursuing a career in medicine.
What has been your favorite rotation so far? My favorite rotation has been the inpatient consult service. I love working with different types of physicians and the education and collaboration involved. I’m excited for exposure to some niche areas of psychiatry in my fourth year electives.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?I’m always down to try a new brewery, coffee shop or live music spot with my husband and friends. We love hosting and attending game nights. I also like to watch the Chiefs games, especially when my husband is a drummer as a member of the Chief’s drumline. This year we are mostly keeping up with our current 15 month old. Excited to explore KC through his lens this year.
What are your future career plans? I am still exploring my options. We will be staying in Kansas City after graduation. I will likely lean toward inpatient psychiatry. I hope to continue to work with an underserved patient population and have exposure to consult psychiatry as well. 


Rashikha Dhar, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri- Kansas City 6-year BA/MD Program

Professional Interests: Inpatient Psychiatry
Outside Interests: Cooking, spending time with friends and family, traveling, painting/arts and crafts creating Spotify playlists, going to the gym/classes, and watching Bollywood movies
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The best aspect of our program is the culture. The faculty is very approachable and my relationship with my co-residents extends beyond residency. We have so many fun get togethers and events (kayaking at Shawnee Mission Marina, pottery class, brunches, pickleball, and so much more)! Overall, the program provides excellent comprehensive training through its various rotations, while still maintaining the work/life balance that allows us to enjoy Kansas City
What has been your favorite rotation so far? Community psychiatry with Dr. Chaffee has been such a unique experience. I get to do outreach and go to local shelters and work with the case management team in the community, do ride alongs with CIT officers, see the jail, attend Wellness Court, volunteer with Care Beyond the Boulevard, teach groups at New Frontiers and so much more. It’s nice being out in the community and seeing all the resources Kansas City has to offer first hand.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Go out to Westport or Power & Light District on the weekends to bars and clubs. Attend concerts. Shop at Country Club Plaza and Ward Pkwy. Hammock, fly kites, and roller skate at Loose Park.
 

Mariana Edwards, M.D.

Medical School: University of Lisbon, Portugal

Professional Interests: Adult Psychiatry, Mood and Personality Disorders, PTSD, Psychology of Behavior and Addiction, Creativity
Outside Interests: Adventures, Movies, Reading, Crafts, family time, comedy shows and finding humor in life
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? Sherry is the best program coordinator one could wish for! I feel supported in my learning and also feel a true bond with attendings and residents.
What has been your favorite rotation so far? Both acute and chronic Inpatient Psychiatry rotations have contributed to my professional development the most.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Going to parks, lakes, gardens, going on road trips and grabbing a cup of coffee on the weekends with my husband and dog!
What are your future career plans? To be a valuable contribution to the program on a daily basis and to learn as much as I can. I feel fortunate to be able to take care of my patients and to strengthen my skill set as I move forward in my career as a psychiatrist. In the future I feel excited to become the best psychiatrist I can be and give back my knowledge to other students, and to contribute to mental health research and outreach initiatives of education for mental health in the community.


Ahmed Karim, M.D.

Medical School: University of Tripoli Faculty of Medicine

Professional Interests: Psychopharmacology and psychiatric neuromodulation
Outside Interests: Portrait painting (watercolor), Arabic calligraphy, animation and graphics, and weightlifting
Favorite Aspect of the Program: Supportive faculty, particularly Sherry Bushmoyer, the program coordinator, and an engaging curriculum in outpatient, forensic, and acute inpatient psychiatry
Favorite Rotation: So far, my favorite rotation was the Consultation and Liaison (C&L). Currently in outpatient service and I am eager for the experience.
Fun Activities in Kansas City: Enjoying the diverse culinary scene and Saturday concerts at the Power & Light district.
Future Career Plans: Establishing a mental health center

Erin McGaugh, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests:  Acute inpatient psychiatry
Outside Interests: My husband and I are renovating our 130-year-old home and that takes up a lot of my time. But, when I’m not working on the house, I love to garden, play tennis, spend time with my husband, 10-week-old daughter, and two Anatolian Shepherd dogs.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The people. My co-residents, the attendings, and everyone involved in the program is supportive, caring, and approachable.
What has been your favorite rotation so far? Acute inpatient psychiatry has been my favorite rotation. I enjoy meeting new patients daily and figuring out how to best help them while in the hospital.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I love live music at Knuckleheads. I also enjoy playing tennis at Loose Park.
What are your future career plans? I’m planning to find a position on an acute inpatient unit. However, I have a special interest in reproductive psychiatry, and hope to incorporate that into my practice in the future.

Evan McKinnis, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Addiction medicine, depression
Outside Interests: walking, working out, trying restaurants
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The camaraderie and support of faculty and co-residents
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I spend most of my time with my dog. I also like all the jazz around the city
What are your future career plans? I want to spend more time with family and friends. I hope to always keep learning.

Paula A. Benavides, D.O.

Medical School: Kansas City University

Professional Interests:  Forensic psychiatry, Adult Inpatient psychiatry, Geriatric psychiatry
Outside Interests:  Traveling, hiking, watching movies.
What was/is your favorite rotation?  Forensic psychiatry because you get complex cases and have more time to work with the patient. 
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? I love the diversity we have from patients, staff, attendings and residents. All very supportive.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I love trying new restaurants, taking my kids to different parks, and hanging out with my coresidents. 
What are your future career plans?  I see myself doing adult inpatient psychiatry, hopefully working in a forensic unit.

 

Anum Chaudhry, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mood disorders, Perinatal Psychiatry
Outside Interests: Being outdoors, reading, movies, crafts
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The staff and my co-residents are all so supportive especially with transitioning from med school to residency. Our education and wellness are both prioritized.
What has been your favorite rotation so far? I really liked my forensics rotation at CBM. It was cool to work with patients who have been admitted for a longer period of time and track their progress towards competency. I was able to spend more time with patients and had a good amount of autonomy.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I love visiting different parks in the area – Loose Park and Berkley Riverfront are my favorite and are close to the hospital. They even have bikes you can rent! I also enjoy visiting the River Market on the weekends for the Farmers Market downtown.
What are your future career plans? I’ve got a lot of interests in different fields of psychiatry, so I’m unsure at this time where exactly I’ll end up. But I’m excited to continue learning and keeping an open mind.

 

River Rivers, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Community psychiatry and LGBT+ community. I would eventually like to work with homeless young adult populations.
Outside Interests: Spending time with family/friends, bike riding, visiting new cigar shops/restaurants, various recreational sport leagues with friends and random house/garden projects
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? Patient population- there’s so much to learn from the patients we see through University Health.
What has been your favorite rotation so far? Acute inpatient psychiatry
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Visit new restaurants, coffee and cigar shops with family/friends. I enjoy exercising and just being outside with my dogs as much as I can.
What are your future career plans? Community psychiatry. Long term, I would love to create an all in one shelter/transitional living facility with onsite case management, OT, psychiatry, therapy, recovery services, etc. for homeless young adults.

 

Jessica B. C. Sifford, M.D.

Medical School: University of Arkansas Medical School

Professional Interests:  Young Adult or Adult Mental Health, Women's Mental Health, Treatment resistant depression.
Outside Interests:  My dogs, my family, trying new restaurants, exploring new places, going to museums, and reading.
What has been your favorite rotation so far?  It is so hard to pick! I really enjoyed my inpatient rotations, but I have also enjoyed the fast pace and variety of outpatient psychiatry.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? I love how nice and supportive everyone is. It’s been really amazing to have such supportive faculty and co-residents especially as I move through the residency. Even as I advance through residency, I’m always glad to know that there are people who I can reach out to and I know will support me.
What sort of research are you doing, and how does the program support you in your scholarly activities?  The program provides opportunities for research not only as part of our didactics, but through the development of a case conference. Additionally, I am part of the research track in my 3rd year which is yet another way that the program allows me to explore this interest even more. Currently, I am working on my case conference presentation, a case report, and a couple other projects.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?  I enjoy kickboxing, going to the dog park with my dogs, exploring the city, and trying new restaurants.
What are your future career plans?  Goal one is to complete residency and become an attending! Beyond that I’m not fully sure yet. Probably working somewhere with a mix of inpatient and outpatient care. I’m still exploring my interests and working on figuring out exactly what I want to do!

 

Momin Tahirkheli, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests:  Child Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry
Outside Interests: NFL, Video Games, Travel
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The people and community
What has been your favorite rotation so far? MedPsych
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Go to the Plaza, Explore Nelson-Atkins, Go to a Chiefs game
What are your future career plans? Hopefully have my own private practice by the end of my career.

 

Dat Truong, M.D.

Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Professional Interests:  Adult Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Psychotherapy
Outside Interests: Anything outdoors (camping, hiking, cycling, mountain biking), gardening, coffee brewing, pizza making!
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The people – all of my co-residents, the upper level residents, the attendings and faculty have gone above and beyond to make sure we have everything we need. It’s been really reassuring to know that if I ever have a question, I can just text someone and get help.
What has been your favorite rotation so far? I’ve only completed my neurology rotation so far (2 month block), but I learned a lot and our team was fantastic. Lots of interesting and exciting cases from code strokes to seizure management, and everyone was super nice and approachable. I’m currently on my acute inpatient psych rotation, and it’s been busy but fun.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? My co-residents joked that I knew more about KC than some of the KC natives – I’m a Google Maps fanatic, and I love exploring and saving new spots of interest wherever I go. I love hammocking in Loose Park, Cafe Ca Phe has solid coffee, and every Thursday I try to join the local KC group cycling rides.
What are your future career plans? I hope to learn as much as I can during residency to gain more clinical expertise, but I don’t know yet if I want to pursue fellowship, or if I want to eventually practice in an inpatient or outpatient setting. I’m looking forward to figuring that out these next few years, and I feel confident in our program’s diversity of clinical training to help me decide.

 
Sanjula Bhuri, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Outside Interests: I love to read! My favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The faculty are amazing. Everyone is so kind, patient, encouraging, and understanding. They are always open to questions and truly care for your well-being. They want to see you succeed and will do everything they can to help you reach your goals.

 

George Cochran, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Community outreach, Interventional psychiatry
Outside Interests:  Gardening, Hiking, Music, Reading, Cooking
What was/is your favorite rotation?  I have greatly enjoyed all of my rotations in the field of psychiatry.  If I had to pick a favorite, I would say Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? I like the people in the department of Psychiatry.   My co-residents and the faculty of our department help facilitate a great learning environment. Everyone I have met is compassionate, curious, and dedicated.
What sort of research are you doing, and how does the program support you in your scholarly activities?  I am not currently doing any research, but I am excited to get involved.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?  I like to hike, watch sports, and listen to live music.
What are your plans for the future?  I hope to help deliver psychiatric services to people who have barriers to accessing healthcare in my community

 

Sayra Nieto Gomez, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Outside Interests: Weightlifting, hiking, lounging with my cat, RPGs, and reading books on anything from classic novels to quantum mechanics, or self-help books.
What was/is your favorite rotation? C&L or inpatient acute care
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be?  One of the aspects of this program that stood out to me is how intentional they were about having a diverse population of incoming residents. Our incoming class is half female and half male with various different ethnicities represented in a single class.
My favorite thing about this program is the supportive staff, residents, and coordinator. Attending physicians enjoy teaching and have the patience to teach throughout rotations. Other residents are very welcoming and willing to help each other with advice in and out of the hospital. Our program coordinator is very organized and allows schedules, rotations, PTO days, etc to run smoothly.
What sort of research are you doing, and how does the program support you in your scholarly activities?  I recently completed a quality improvement project for caregivers of loved ones with dementia. In terms of future research, I’m interested in the economic burden that results from the lack of mental health resources in hopes of increasing economic support for psychiatric institutions.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?  My idea of fun is eating food! Kansas City is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. I love trying all the different types of cuisines in the Kansas City area with friends and family!
What are your plans for the future? I’m interested in either academic medicine or simply outpatient child psychiatry.

 

John Lin, M.D.

Medical School:  University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests:  Child Psychiatry, Addiction, Psychotherapy
Outside Interests:  Coffee, cats, (cat-safe) plants, piano, tennis, singing in the shower. I like dogs too, don’t worry.
What was/is your favorite rotation?  I have only been on the Med-Psych service so far, but it has been a great start to residency! As a student at UMKC, my favorite rotation was working in the outpatient child psychiatry clinic.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be?  This program truly cares and advocates for those who society often leaves behind. Our patients drive us in all that we do. They are the reason we put on our work clothes and strive to do better each and every single day.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?  Kansas City has a great coffee scene and finding new places to relax is a great way to explore the city. When I have time, I also love participating in local tennis leagues.
What are your plans for the future?  In the immediate future? Scooping my cat’s litter box. In the more distant future? Working as an outpatient child psychiatrist. This would likely mean a child psychiatry fellowship in a few years, but I am still trying to keep an open mind. For instance, addiction medicine is also very interesting!

 

Ahmed Shamseldin, M.D.

Medical School: Cairo University- School of Medicine- Egypt

Professional Interests: Geriatric Psychiatry, and Addiction Psychiatry.
Outside Interests: Fishing, Travelling, and Playing Chess.
What was/is your favorite rotation? Outpatient and ECT rotation.
If you had to pick one thing you like about this program, what would it be? The collegial culture which I find invaluable for my professional and personal development.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Even though I am still new to Kansas City I feel belonging to the city. I find countless places and things you can do. Exploring the city, going to different coffee shops, and shopping at Country Club Plaza, are my plans at the moment.
What are your plans for the future?  Being a professional psychiatrist by the end of residency is my top goal. Contribute actively to healthcare administration and quality of care.

 

Lekha Thangada, M.D., M.P.H.

Medical School: Louisiana State University-New Orleans (MD/MPH)

Professional Interests: Mood disorders, interventional psychiatry, and child psychiatry
Outside Interests: Dancing, playing around with makeup, watching sports, and honestly any activity as long as it involves being around friends!
What was/is your favorite rotation? I’ve only done neurology so far, so it’s automatically my favorite but I can’t wait to have my inpatient psychiatry experiences as the year goes on. Each rotation is so unique and has its own flavor, which is great for learning!
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? There is an incredible amount of diversity in faculty, staff, and other residents so there is always something to learn from those around you, either directly related to clinical knowledge/skills or life experiences. Everyone is incredibly friendly, warm, and willing to help each other, so it truly feels like a community and family.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I just moved here for residency, so I am still finding my footing here, but so far I’ve loved hanging out in the tons of parks/green spaces around the city, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and once the football season starts, I definitely plan on watching the games and getting into the city spirit!
What are your plans for the future? Graduation. Just kidding! While I am considering fellowship vs. practicing after my training, I am still figuring it out and am open to seeing how my interests evolve with my training!

Maria Arroyo, M.D.

Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine

Outside Interests: Food, Music, spending time with friends/family, watching rom-coms and football
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? Everyone is so kind and supportive! When I have something that I need help with or don't know how to handle, I feel like people really listen to me and work with me to find a solution. All of the residents and faculty have been so kind and amazing to work with.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Eating! There are so many fun restaurants to explore and try around here. I love walking around the River Market or shopping on the Plaza too.
What are your plans for the future?  I want to stay and practice Psychiatry in the Kansas City area! I have really enjoyed inpatient psychiatry so far and am especially interested in learning more about reproductive psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and interventional psychiatry

Seth Baligod, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Keeping an open mind at this time but look forward to being exposed to all fields of psychiatry
Outside Interests: Traveling the world, Art and Art Museums, Tennis, Skiing, Plants, Buying/Selling/Collecting Designer Items
What was/is your favorite rotation? Inpatient Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? I love working with the patient population and working in the largest safety net hospital system of Kansas City.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Visiting art museums and art galleries, hanging with friends, and going to live performances at the Kauffman Center or around the city.

Caitlin Kogulan, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Community/Public Psychiatry, Street Psychiatry, Mental Health Policy, Climate Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Outside Interests: Anything outdoors! I love running, hiking, baking, tending to my farm on Stardew Valley, finding new food spots around the city, and live music. I also love dogs!
What was/is your favorite rotation? I’m on my first rotation, Interventional Psychiatry, which has been super fun! This is a new rotation for interns with the aim of learning more about interventional psychiatry early on as well as earlier exposure to the outpatient setting. I’ve enjoyed getting to be more hands on with procedures and the team dynamic of ECT.
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The people are wonderful, all my-coresidents, faculty, and support staff are so kind and compassionate. We also get to care for a really special patient population at UH and through the forensic side at CBM.

James Meade, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: I'm interested in child and adolescent psychiatry, with a strong passion for psychotherapy and the development of long-term therapeutic relationships.
Outside Interests: Outside of medicine, I enjoy working with my hands, especially carpentry projects and Lego builds. I also love hiking and spending time outdoors, as well as reading science fiction!
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? One of the things I appreciate most about this program is how receptive the faculty and staff are to resident feedback. There's a genuine culture of listening and continuous improvement, and it shows in the way the curriculum evolves and the support residents receive.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Kansas City has a lot to offer. I enjoy exploring the city’s diverse food scene, riding the KC Streetcar through downtown, and catching KC Current games whenever I can.
What are your plans for the future? At this time, I plan to pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. I'm excited to continue growing in this field and hope to work in settings where I can combine psychotherapy with multidisciplinary care to support young patients and their families.

Elyse Nguyen, M.D.

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Consult/liaison, immigrant/marginalized populations, maternal mental health
Outside Interests: Pickleball, baking/cooking, photography, painting, travel (I love the National Parks!)
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? Very cliché, but it has to be the people around me! From day one, everyone (from my co-residents to my senior residents and faculty members) has been incredibly supportive and welcoming.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? Play pickleball, go to coffee shops. I am mostly a homebody though :)
What are your plans for the future? I hope to stay in Kansas City, I've really enjoyed getting to know the city and becoming a part of the community here!

Evelyn Peng, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Outpatient psychiatry, psychotherapy
What was/is your favorite rotation? Addiction psychiatry, child psychiatry
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The people here are definitely what make this program special. The attendings and upper-year residents are all incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive. The program listens to and values our feedback, and there are a lot of opportunities to spend time with other residents both in and outside of work, which has truly made the program feel like a community.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I love checking out the new exhibits at the Nelson-Atkins Museum and going to the OP Arboretum!

Siri Ragala, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Medicine

Professional Interests: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? I love how supportive the environment is with regard to resident well-being. The program is structured in a way that honors work-life balance. You can feel how much people truly care about helping you succeed and learn while making sure you are doing well as a human.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I love watching movies at the Boulevard Drive-In Theater with my fiancé or friends. I also really enjoy going out to Shawnee Mission Lake for picnics and kayaking. It’s always fun going for strolls and exploring the cute stores and food spots in the River Market area. I’ve also really been enjoying trying out new restaurants every week with my co-residents. I’m excited to stay in KC and keep exploring new places!

Kyle Ta, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri - Kansas City

Professional Interests: Interventional Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry
Outside Interests: Working out, hosting dinner parties, cooking, bartending, and baking. I run a small pop-up bakery.
What was/is your favorite rotation? In medical school, I really enjoyed my Addiction Psychiatry rotation with Dr. Burgess. I'm looking forward to the increased exposure to my interests that have been added to this year's clinical curriculum!
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be? The people all across the board really make this program feel comfortable to me. I love my co-residents, and faculty and staff are very clearly excited to work with residents.
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City? I can be found trying new restaurants, bakeries, and cafes. The Nelson-Atkins is a frequently visited place (and I would recommend the Kemper Museum of Modern Art if you've never been).
What are your plans for the future? I am keeping my goals somewhat open just because I am early on in my training, but I am interested in addiction psychiatry or interventional psychiatry in a not-for-profit setting. I would like to give back to the communities that have given me a place to be.