Paula A. Benavides, D.O.
Medical School: Kansas City University
Professional Interests
I have a broad range of interest including addiction psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, ADHD in adult population, consult liaison and teaching that I would like to continue to explore.
Outside Interests
I love to cook, have the perfect cup of coffee, and go shopping for good deals!
If you had to pick one thing you really like about this program, what would it be?
I fell in love with this program for the constant teaching that I saw while rotating here. The diversity in the population we serve is unparalleled to others in the Midwest. It was important to me to train and serve people from a diverse background and to provide excellent care to people that have limited to no access to healthcare. The broad range of settings and acuity that we get to experience here is also what makes it an ideal program, everything from outpatient to acute, to forensic. I also really like that our rotations are mostly two months. You really have enough time to learn and get good at doing your job. But the call schedule is actually the nicest commodity. As a mom, being able to decide with my coresidents on how we are doing our schedule is a huge help.
What has been your favorite rotation so far?
Just started my 1st year of residency with the completion of an off service rotation so I’m really looking forward to rotating on the forensic units!
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?
I love all the great parks and trails, there are so many parks for children to help get their energy out. There is always something to do on the weekends.
What are your future career plans?
I would actually love to stay here after I graduate. I love the diversity we have in our staff and attendings too. Many of our attendings have graduated from this program, plus I love the culture of support and family that we have.
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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.
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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.
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Jessica B. C. Sifford, M.D.
Medical School: University of Arkansas Medical School
Professional Interests
Women’s Mental Health, Adult Psychiatry
Outside Interests
My dogs, my family, trying new restaurants, exploring new places, going to museums, and reading.
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 amazing to have such supportive faculty, co-interns, and other residents during the transition from being a medical student to becoming a doctor. I especially appreciate the upper level residents who are always checking in with us and offer help and advice.
What has been your favorite rotation so far?
Acute Inpatient is the only rotation I’ve completed so far, and I enjoyed getting to see the variety of cases there. I’m looking forward to my other rotations to get even more experience!
What do you like to do for fun in and around Kansas City?
I enjoy going to the dog park with my dogs and trying new restaurants with my husband. I’m new to KC, and I have loved getting to know my new city and see all it has to offer!
What are your future career plans?
Complete residency and become an attending! Probably working somewhere with a mix of inpatient and outpatient care. Maybe seeing a majority women’s mental health patients. I’m still exploring my interests and working on figuring out what I want to do!
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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.
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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. |
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