Where are you from? 

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in Columbus, Ohio.  I moved to Iowa in my senior year of high school, and have been here in Iowa City / Coralville since then.

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry? 

I love my new work in Behavioral Health – Addiction Medicine.  I love every part of it – most notably in contrast of my previous work in Cardiac Electrophysiology, I love the “deep dive” into getting to know a patient, and the time allowed to initiate a relationship that requires so much respect and trust.  I love how conversations are held between colleagues, and that “supervision” in this world means assistance and feedback, and is comforting, especially for someone new to psychiatry.

What do you do in the department? 

I work on the Addiction Medicine Consult Service and am establishing a group of people that I follow in MAT Clinic.

What is the location where you primarily work? 

Addiction Medicine Consult Service is wherever patients are in the hospital; the MAT Clinic is on 5 BT.

When did you start working in the department? 

Very part time somewhere around April or May 2021, and 50% Psychiatry only beginning July 1, 2022

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living? 

Nothing :)

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work? 

I am a musician.  I like to knit.  I’m soon to take sewing lessons!  I like to garden and I like to ride my bicycle.  My husband and I love to kayak and fish in Northeast Iowa, among other places.  We love the ocean: scuba and snorkel.  I love to read fiction and poetry. 

What is your favorite food? 

Ummmmm.  Hard to choose a favorite, but I guess I’d have to choose sushi / fish / seafood.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? 

Without any restrictions / money no object / COVID not a factor …. Long flights ? I’d love to see Australia and New Zealand. I’ve yet to get to Europe – would love to visit Italy and Spain … Mostly drawn by the oceans in various parts of the world, but also the culture / old cities and food. There are many places I’d like to visit, but I am also so content to be close to home.

Where are you from?
I am from Carroll, Iowa- small town in western Iowa. I grew up as a farm kid

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?
The amazing providers I am able to work with and the variety of patients I am able to care for

What do you do in the department?
I'm a nurse practitioner currently working in the CSU, Adult Psychiatry clinic, Women's wellness clinic and Virology clinic

What is the location where you primarily work?
Main campus

When did you start working in the department?
September 2021

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?
Be a forest ranger or fitness coach

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?
Run and jump with my kids on our trampoline

What is your favorite food?
saag paneer, Indian dish

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Finland, Denmark and New Zealand so I can cross country ski to my hearts content or hike and mountain bike and play outside

Where are you from?

Silver Spring, Maryland

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

Helping patients reintegrate into the community and helping them function in their day to day interactions so that they can live their lives. I also find it rewarding making that human connection, that at times we are so quick to forget about when we are busy with the other items that need or attention in medicine.

What do you do in the department?

The Adult Outpatient Clinic primarily, with intermittent Emergency Department coverage.

What is the location where you primarily work?

Main Campus

When did you start working in the department?

April 2022

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

I would love to be a professional/competitive dancer.  

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

I would undoubtedly say, spending time with my significant other and our two dogs (husky and small lab/dachshund mix). Although this is not a hobby (per say)- the time I spend with my family allows time to reflect and appreciate the important things in life.

In addition to the above,  I love listening and dancing to music (to stay active/ huge part of my culture).

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food will undoubtedly be Dominican food. I was raised in a Dominican household. Typical platter consists of rice, beans, and any kind of meat or fish. In Dominican Republic, this is also known as "La Bandera Dominicana".

 If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

A couple of places come to mind. I would certainly love to travel to the Philippines to take in the views of the amazing beaches! But I also think it would be amazing to travel throughout all of Latin America. Immersing myself into the different dialectics, “colloquial phrases”, and nuisances that differentiate the Latino culture but simultaneously brings everyone together. Italy is also on my bucket list as well!

Where are you from? 

The Quad Cities

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry? 

Helping people make meaningful change in their lives.

What do you do in the department?

See patients, run a STEPPS group.

What is the location where you primarily work? 

Scott Boulevard

When did you start working in the department? 

1991

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living? 

Writer

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work? 

Travel, Gardening,

What is your favorite food?

Chips

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Italy because Italy has a great vibe and good coffee

Where are you from?

I grew up in Albuquerque, NM but have lived in Iowa since 1996

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

Talking to patients and their families and learning about their interests

What do you do in the department?

Outpatient clinic in child psychiatry

What is the location where you primarily work?

Scott Boulevard

When did you start working in the department?

2013

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Not sure

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Plants/gardening

What is your favorite food?

No favorite but enjoy a good Reuben

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

New Zealand – flora interest

Where are you from?             

Born in Yangon, Myanmar, and grew up in California.

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

Helping patients get on optimal medication regimen, teaching STEPPS, and seeing them thrive. Collaborating with my colleagues.

What do you do in the department?

Medication management in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry, and Child Health Specialty Clinics. I also teach STEPPS. 

What is the location where you primarily work?

Scott Boulevard

When did you start working in the department?

August 2015

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Open a cute little coffee shop

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Garden, play with my daughter, travel, and play my violin

What is your favorite food?

Anything in Asian Cuisine

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Scandinavia—looks so peaceful and I love their lifestyles.

Where are you from?

I was born in Clinton, Iowa, and moved to Cedar Rapids when I was one year old.

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

I love working with my older adult population and their caregivers to try and help them have the best quality of life possible.

What do you do in the department?

Nurse practitioner in geriatric psychiatry

What is the location where you primarily work?

I see geriatric patients in the main campus adult clinic 1-2 times a week and do telemedicine with selected long term care facilities.  I also have a clinic in Muscatine once a month in the UIHC family medicine clinic. There is a UIHC dialysis unit there and I also receive referrals from them.

When did you start working in the department?

I started doing geriatric psychiatry through clinical outreach in 1999. I helped with the initial set up of the geriatric psychiatry unit with Dr. Judith Crossett. I became an official member of the psychiatry department just a few years ago. It was then I started seeing patients in clinic and not just in long term care.

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Entertainment, hospitality or travel industry work

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

It is hard to say as I have so many interests: travel, music, volunteering, my faith, family and friends, sports, dogs, dancing, writing, painting. I am never bored!

What is your favorite food?

When I am having a bad day there is nothing like Nacho Cheese Doritos and a diet Pepsi to get me over the hump. And if it is a really bad day, throw in some peanut M&M’s and I’m good!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I really love to go ANYWHERE!  I love travel.  My dream trip would be to go around the world. I would especially like to go to New Zealand.

Meanwhile, I love Washington State and NEVER get tired of going there to see the wonderful nature and people I know there.  I went to grad school there and worked there prior to moving back to IA to help my elderly parents. They have since died, but I am still here because of the relationships I have formed.  

Where are you from?
Springville, Iowa

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?
The amazing, supportive, and compassionate team we have.

What do you do in the department?
I work in the adult clinic, spend time seeing adult patients at our Scott Boulevard location, and work in the outpatient ECT clinic.

What is the location where you primarily work?
I am pretty evenly split between seeing patients in the adult clinic and the ECT clinic.

When did you start working in the department?
April 2019

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?
I have always wanted to try my hand as a fishing guide.

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?
Spend time with my wife and kids doing anything that gets us outdoors.

What is your favorite food?
Hard to beat a good ribeye 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Ireland. I would love to learn more about my heritage there.

Where are you from?

I reside in the rural Mt. Union area, one hour southeast of Iowa City

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

I have always had a passion for psychiatric-mental health nursing. I love working with our clients and interdisciplinary team and the variety of roles I have.

What do you do in the department?

I am an ARNP, specializing in the UIHC Eating Disorder Treatment Program. I provide individual therapy to outpatients as well as inpatients and sometimes patients in the Partial Hospitalization Program; I also facilitate groups for inpatients, and help with staff education/training/program development for our eating disorder treatment program.

What is the location where you primarily work?

Adult Psychiatry outpatient 50% and inpatient 50% 7 Roy Carver South.

When did you start working in the department?

I started at UIHC as a young nursing grad in 1986 as a psychiatric staff nurse and have been here ever since at UIHC; have been in my ARNP role for 22 years at a rural clinic, and also am a full time nursing professor; moved into this ARNP role in January 2020, after Kay Evans retired.

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

I can’t imagine any role for me except psychiatric mental health nursing. I love teaching too!

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

I don’t have too much time for hobbies due to multi-professional responsibilities, but love spending time with family, church, baking, and am a Wizard of Oz collector/fan.

What is your favorite food?

I love pizza and Pepsi.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I’d love to return to Israel: It is the holy ground of beautiful and sacred history. I’d like to try another camel ride as well. I went there during my earliest college days

Coming soon!

Where are you from?

Coralville, Iowa.  Born In Cedar Rapids, Iowa

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

The people.

What do you do in the department?

Outpatient Clinic ARNP

What is the location where you primarily work?

Old Capital Mall Quick Care

When did you start working in the department?

July 2017

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Teach Martial Arts and Self Defense

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Teach Martial Arts and Self Defense

What is your favorite food?

Pizza

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Israel to study Krav Maga with the Krav Maga Masters

Where are you from?
On a farm outside Waukon, which is in the northeast corner of Iowa by the bluffs. 

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?
I love working with kids and getting to help people with their mental health. Mental health is an aspect of health that effects every part of a person's life and treatment of it is a way to help the whole person instead of just a single system in their body.

What do you do in the department?
I work in the child and adolescent clinic most days. It is planned that I'll work in ER one day every other week.

What is the location where you primarily work?
Main campus

When did you start working in the department?
March 2022

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?
carpentry, I've always loved fixing up old or even new things

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?
Riding my road bike or hiking

What is your favorite food?
Tiramisu

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Machu Picchu, I think it is incredibly beautiful and would be an amazing hike with such an interesting destination at the end.

Where are you from?

Fowlerville, Michigan

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

Hearing that my patients and their families have seen symptomatic improvements or that family relationships have improved.

What do you do in the department?

I do outpatient child/adolescent psychiatry and I also work in Emergency Department psychiatry consults once weekly.

What is the location where you primarily work?

Scott Boulevard 

When did you start working in the department?

February 2021

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

I'd likely pursue a higher mathematics degree to teach at a college or university.

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Video games or spending time around water (e.g., fishing, swimming, paddle boarding, rowboating, etc.)

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food and sushi are my favorite cuisines. But my mom's homemade éclairs are my favorite food.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Belize. I'd love to explore/tour the mangrove swamps and perhaps scuba dive!

Where are you from?

Burlington, Iowa

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

The variety of roles I am able to fulfill from working in the CSU, aftercare clinic, and helping cover the Emergency Department consult team if needed.  I love the teamwork approach within the CSU as well as being able to develop practices for change to enhance the patient experience. 

What do you do in the department?

Psychiatric nurse practitioner/APP in the Crisis Stabilization Unit and After care Clinic

What is the location where you primarily work?

Crisis Stabilization Unit and After care Clinic

When did you start working in the department?

2019

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Forensic pathologist

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Spending time with my children, traveling, and making memories.

What is your favorite food?

Mexican

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Italy, to view the scenic landscapes, architecture, and indulge in food and wine.

Where are you from?

I am from Montana!

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

The patients! I especially enjoy the young motivated adults I work with.

What do you do in the department?

Adult Outpatient Clinic, Telemedicine for an area college, covering the After Care Clinic and CSU as needed

What is the location where you primarily work?

Adult Outpatient Clinic

When did you start working in the department?

2015

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Remodel houses

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Remodel my house!

What is your favorite food?

Homemade pizza

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

To the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. It’s remote and unworldly beautiful!

Where are you from?

Grand Mound, Iowa (small town north of the Quad Cities)

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

My favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry is the range of things we get to see as well as the staff who have been welcoming and helpful with any and all questions! It made transitioning from an RN to a ARNP easier.

What do you do in the department?

I am a medication provider in the outpatient clinic most days, I also do child psych consults within the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

What is the location where you primarily work?

I’m at the main campus for both consults and outpatient visits.

When did you start working in the department?

January 2022

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

I would still be working in healthcare, other than psych I was interested in surgery and labor/delivery

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

I love spending time with my pup, Oliver. We spend a lot of time outdoors exploring. I also like to have some relaxing days to just binge tv shows.

What is your favorite food?

Pizza! Can never go wrong with it.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I have a long list of places on my bucket list. I’ve always been interested in visiting Amsterdam and Iceland, for no real particular reason. I’ve also been interested in learning about the Holocaust so another area would be Poland, specifically Auschwitz.

Where are you from?
Western Johnson County

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?
Limitless collaboration with multidisciplinary teams throughout the hospitalization. Collaboration with other specialities. Endless educational opportunities everywhere

What do you do in the department?
Emergency Departmeent, CSU, am one of two psychiatric providers in the Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence

What is the location where you primarily work?
Emergency Department
Crisis Stabilization Unit
Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence as one of two psychiatric providers in the multidisciplinary clinic

When did you start working in the department?
August 2021

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?
Surf

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

The wilderness, hanging out with my two sons, boxing

What is your favorite food?
Grilled chicken, brown rice, broccoli

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Ireland....Slante

Where are you from?

St. Louis

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

The shared sense among coworkers of service, compassion and curiosity.

What do you do in the department?

I see adult patients in the outpatient setting.

What is the location where you primarily work?

 I work from home using telehealth.

When did you start working in the department?

May, 2019.

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Make greeting cards.

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Being outdoors with my baby and/or dog. Throw in some binoculars for birding and I’m happy.

What is your favorite food?

A cold grapefruit on a hot day. 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

France, because of the food, culture, landscape and because I could practice my French!

Where are you from?
Chicago suburbs

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?
I enjoy the aspect of always having more to learn

What do you do in the department?
My primary role is psychiatric consultations in the Emergency Department, primarily child and adolescent, and general psychiatry in the evenings.  I also enjoy some as-needed work the CSU and recently accepted a leadership role for the Emergency Department and CSU. 

When did you start working in the department?
2019

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?
Own a vineyard and jazz club with delicious small plate cuisine (any investors?)

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?
Shopping with my 4 teenage daughters, travel, gardening, vinyl collecting, used book hunting, podcasting, just started gravel biking, trying to quit a bad pandemic habit of charcuterie and scandalous netflix series

What is your favorite food?
My favorite is tapas because I like to sample a little bit of everything

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I want to hike around Mont Blanc when my youngest daughter graduates from HS and stay in chalets and toast the locals each night (Italy, Switzerland, France).

Where are you from?

Sioux City, Iowa

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

Make therapeutic relationships with my patients and helping them heal from their mental health condition.  

What do you do in the department?

I work with adult patients in the outpatient clinic. I previously worked in the ECT clinic and psychiatry ER consultation for children and adult.

What is the location where you primarily work?

UI Community Outreach Clinic of Cedar Falls.

When did you start working in the department?

• 2017 as a psychiatric nurse practitioner
• 2012 as psychiatric staff nurse

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

A field that I can use my creativity such as a programmer, beautician, graphic designer, photographer, etc.

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Bike and golf

What is your favorite food?

Vietnamese food

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

It’s hard to decide on one. I want to travel to Spain, Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, Thailand, and Vietnam.  

Where are you from?

I grew up on a farm outside of Riverside, Iowa. 

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

The variety of patients I get to interact with and my colleagues.

What do you do in the department?

I am the Lead APP and work in the Adult and Women’s Wellness Clinic.  I work with the MAT consult team and fill in on the CSU and Emergency Department when needed. 

What is the location where you primarily work?

Main Campus.

When did you start working in the department?

2019

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Either a professional baker or a detective!

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Complex baking projects and sewing.

What is your favorite food?

I love every pastry I have ever met.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Italy so that I can eat all of the authentic pizza, gelato, and pasta (my favorite food groups). 

Where are you from?

Dubuque
 
What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

I greatly enjoy my colleagues. They are friendly, open-minded, and always willing to help out. 

What do you do in the department? 

I am part of the intellectual disability/mental illness team seen in the adult psychiatry clinic

What is the location where you primarily work?

UI Behavioral Health on the Main Campus, I also help cover the CSU and emergency department. 

When did you start working in the department?

2013
 
If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

If I weren't in psychiatry I probably end up being some type of life coach, I enjoy helping people get their stuff together and my siblings say I'm really good at bossing people around!

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

I have too many hobbies to list just 1 week; I love traveling, studying foreign languages, working out, hosting social events, interior design and DYI projects.

What is your favorite food?

Indian
 
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I have never been to the Asian continent, but hope to make it in the near future, they have delicious food, beautiful architecture, and abundant history to explore.

Where are you from?

I was born in Iowa and have lived in the Iowa City area for the past 35 years.

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

My relationships with my fellow colleagues in the psychiatry department.

What do you do in the department?

I am a nurse practitioner in the child psychiatry outpatient clinic.

What is the location where you primarily work?

At the Scott Boulevard location.

When did you start working in the department?

In the fall of 2016.

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Be a librarian.

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Reading.

What is your favorite food?

My husband’s homemade pizza

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Italy – for the food and wine!

Where are you from?
Estherville, Iowa

What is your favorite part of working in the Department of Psychiatry?

My patients! I really enjoy taking the time to get to know my patients and working with them to help them reach their goals, either through pharmacological or nonpharmacological methods. Psychiatry has always been an interest for me, so I feel lucky to get to work in a specialty that I truly enjoy learning about everyday.

What do you do in the department?

I work mainly with older adults in the outpatient clinic. I also work on the CSU.

What is the location where you primarily work?

The Adult Psychiatry clinic.

When did you start working in the department?

September, 2021.

If you weren’t in the psychiatry field, what would you want to do for a living?

Outside of psychiatry, I love learning about outer space. So, I would have enjoyed working in space research.

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Hiking and traveling with friends.

What is your favorite food?

Chips with salsa or queso.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

At the moment, Norway. It looks beautiful, and I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights.