Child Psychiatry Residency Training Program

Department of Psychiatry
Shayne Tomisato, M.D., Director
Daunese Suniga, Program Coordinator
Phone: (480) 344-2026
Fax: (480) 344-0219

Download Universal Application

 

Information

 
 

Program Overview

 

The MIHS Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program is fully accredited by the ACGME. This two-year training program enrolled its first residents in July 2003. Currently, the program consists of 6 positions, 3 per training year.

The program offers comprehensive training in child and adolescent psychiatry with rotations in a variety of settings, providing a balanced clinical training experience. Rotations include inpatient, residential treatment, outpatient, and specialty clinics. Trainees receive ongoing individual supervision, in addition to rotation-specific supervision.

 

Year 1

 

During the first year, emphasis is placed on mastering clinical care in the inpatient setting. Inpatient rotations include an acute inpatient unit at the local children's hospital and two separate residential treatment centers. The outpatient experience begins in the first year as well, at the Desert Vista Behavioral Health Center. The aim is to provide a longer-term treatment experience with a variety of patients, exposing residents to the evolution of therapeutic progress in their patients.

 

Year 2

 

During the second year, residents master outpatient treatment in various settings. The outpatient experience started in the first year expands at the Desert Vista Behavioral Health Center during the second year. Residents also rotate through several offsite settings for a wide range of clinical experiences. Residents are trained and supervised in a number of different treatment modalities, including individual child psychotherapy (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, supportive and play therapy), parent guidance, crisis intervention, and pharmacological treatments. Opportunities are also available for residents who are interested in providing family and group treatments. Outpatient clinical work exposes residents to working with children of all ages, backgrounds, and diagnoses in a range of settings.

 

Rotation Overview

 

This Chart  illustrates time spent at each rotation for the 2 year period.

 

Didactics

 

The didactic curriculum is scheduled throughout the two years of training. Residents have protected time to attend classes. The curriculum is designed to ensure a comprehensive training experience, exposure to the major theories of child development and psychiatry, and integration of different models of care in an evidence-based fashion.

 

Evaluation

 

Residents are evaluated according to the Core Competencies as described by the ACGME. Mid-point and endpoint evaluations ensure opportunities for feedback and enable residents to address any areas that may benefit from increased attention. Feedback, acquired anonymously from residents, is used to improve the quality of teaching in the program.

 

Graduation

 

Requirements for graduation include satisfactory completion of rotations, didactics, observations, a literature review, and an original research project of the resident's choice.

 

Didactics Overview

 

Child & Adolescent Development - This series covers child development from conception to early adulthood. Topics include physical development, CNS development, cognitive development, and gender differences. Classic papers are presented. Theories of personality, social, and intrapsychic development are discussed. Common childhood problems are addressed (fears, sleep, divorce, death, siblings, peers, eating problems). This course is held weekly over a 6-month period each year.

 

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - This seminar covers the range of childhood psychiatric disorders as well as contextual presentations of child patients (i.e., family problems, school problems). Skills in evaluating children and adolescents at different developmental stages are taught, with an emphasis on learning board-style presentation skills. Assessment and treatment planning, as well as legal issues and ethics, are discussed. This seminar is held weekly over two years.

 

Psychopharmacology - This seminar teaches residents psychopharmacologic management of symptoms of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders using case-based, evidence-based, and problem-solving approaches. This seminar is held weekly over two years.

 

Psychotherapy Conference - Initially, a review of different types of treatment and psychotherapy techniques is conducted. Related reading is assigned, including presentations on different methods of psychotherapy. Readings and video presentations are supplemented with discussion of specific cases. Models discussed in the conference include psychodynamic, play therapy, cognitive-behavioral, family therapy, parent guidance, supportive therapy, group therapy, interpersonal and behavioral approaches. This seminar is held weekly over two years.

 

Clinical Case Conference - During each clinical case conference, one case is reviewed with a focus on diagnoses and therapeutic aspects. Residents and staff present, with faculty discussion. Legal and ethical issues are discussed when pertinent to the case. Psychological testing and school observations may also be reviewed. Conferences generally occur weekly.

 

Reading Seminar (Journal Club) - Current articles in child and adolescent psychiatry are assigned. Residents present on varied topics with discussion by faculty. Critical evaluation of papers, studies, and research are covered. Evidence-based practice is emphasized. This seminar occurs monthly.

 

MIHS Psychiatry Grand Rounds (Elective for 1st and 2nd year residents) - Weekly grand rounds presentations include research presentations, presentations of topics by selected experts, clinical case material, certification trainings, and faculty/resident presentations.

 

The following mini-courses are also presented in a 2-year rotation:

  • Administrative Psychiatry
  • Career Development
  • Child Neuropsychiatry and Neurodevelopmen
  • Child Psychiatry and the Law
  • Consult-liaison Psychiatry
  • Cross-cultural Child Psychiatry
  • Ethics in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Models of Care

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Participating Institutions

 

Maricopa Medical Center and Desert Vista Behavioral Health Center - Maricopa Medical Center has two campuses. The Desert Vista campus, located at 570 West Brown Road in Mesa, Arizona, is the home site of the MIHS Child Psychiatry Residency. Seminars and primary supervision are provided in this suburban location. Residents are provided with large individual offices and a library at this location. A rich educational experience is offered in the continuity clinic here. Residents see cases with a variety of diagnoses, ages, cultures, and socioeconomic status and provide treatment with a range of modalities. It is in this location that most experience with longer-term therapy is obtained. At the main campus of Maricopa Medical Center, residents receive emergency experience in a medical setting during the MMC Emergency and Consultation Rotation. Residents also rotate at the main campus for their MMC Outpatient Pediatric Consult-liaison rotation.

 

Phoenix Children's Hospital - Phoenix Children's Hospital is a free-standing children's hospital providing a wide range of medical and psychiatric services to children representative of the diverse populations living in Maricopa County. Residents gain experience in the provision of acute inpatient care to children with serious mental illness under the supervision of Eric Benjamin, M.D. Residents also gain experience in pediatric inpatient consultation under the supervision of Randall Ricardi, D.O. In addition to interactions with psychiatric supervisors, nurses, and behavioral health staff, residents have the opportunity to interact with social workers, family therapists, psychologists, special education teachers, and recreational therapists in this setting. Residents attend daily staffings and educational conferences. Faculty members are involved in research, and PCH is available for a research elective.

 

Devereux Arizona - Devereux is a residential treatment center where residents provide care to children and adolescents with severe mental illness. Devereux also has an on-site school for special needs children, which is attended by students from Devereux and from the community. During their inpatient rotation, residents are supervised by the medical director, Robert Shuch, D.O. Residents provide individual psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatment to patients as well as participating in team treatment planning, family therapy, group therapy, behavioral therapy, and other interventions. In addition, residents are trained in the responsibilities of the medical director through modeling and supervision, have administrative experiences, and participate on committees.

 

The New Foundation - The New Foundation is a residential treatment center, therapeutic group home, and outpatient site providing organized and comprehensive services to adolescents with substance abuse, psychosocial problems, and psychiatric diagnoses. Residents are accompanied by supervisors Sheila Wong, M.D., Medical Director, and Erum Ali, M.D. Residents gain experience in an environment that specializes in treating dually diagnosed adolescents through a variety of treatment modalities and interventions (including psychotherapy, family therapy, case management, and group therapy). Residents have the opportunity to co-lead substance abuse treatment groups and experience case-based teaching by substance abuse clinicians.

 

St. Joseph's Hospital / Medical Center

  • Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) - Residents gain experience in pediatric neurology under the supervision of highly qualified scholarly faculty at the renowned Barrow Neurological Institute. Residents rotate through an inpatient child neurology unit and child neurology outpatient clinics where they participate in teaching rounds and case discussions with faculty and with adult and child neurology residents.
  • Children's Rehabilitative Services (CRS) - CRS is part of the St. Joseph's Children's Health Center, which provides comprehensive rehabilitative services to children and their families. The CRS clinic population is composed of children with developmental, neuropsychiatric, and chronic medical illnesses including mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorders, seizure disorders, neurofibromatosis, cerebral palsy, static encephalopathy, asthma, osteogenesis imperfecta, sickle cell anemia, and diabetes, among others. Residents are provided the opportunity for consultation and treatment continuity experiences with these children.
  • Childhelp Children's Center - The Child Maltreatment Rotation is a unique experience in working with a multi-agency child maltreatment team. Pediatricians, social workers, police, and Child Protective Services all participate at the Childhelp Assessment Center. This teaching and observing rotation educates residents about abuse, neglect, domestic violence, forensic interviewing, and court testimony. Residents do not carry independent cases or provide direct treatment. On a given day, residents may observe a forensic interview by a criminologist and physical examinations by pediatricians to evaluate abuse, be involved with medical chart reviews for possible abuse and neglect, participate in formal case conferences and informal case discussions, or observe court testimony.
 

Southwest Human Development Good FIT (Families, Infants, and Toddlers) Center - The mission of Southwest Human Development is to serve very young children and their families and assist in their development. Residents evaluate and treat toddlers and preschool-age children under the supervision of and accompanied by Erum Ali, M.D. Residents gain experience in the specialized assessment and diagnosis of young children, including the use of the Diagnostic Classification 0-3, developed by the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. Specific family and child treatment modalities effective in this population are observed. Residents are involved in psychiatric and developmental evaluations, outpatient treatment, observation and consultation in preschools, collaboration with infant mental health professionals, and exposure to home-based mental health services.

 

Maricopa County Correctional Health Services / Durango Juvenile Detention Center Residents have the unique opportunity to experience treatment delivery in a correctional (juvenile detention) setting. They are accompanied at Durango Juvenile Detention by Robert Shuch, D.O. Residents gain experience in working with sociopathy and co-morbid psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Residents learn to identify and consider legal issues relevant to child and adolescent psychiatry. In addition to involvement in psychiatric evaluations and treatment, residents may participate in multidisciplinary case conferences/meetings, court/forensic consultations, and collaboration with mental health, medical, and correctional professionals. Treatment approaches include psychosocial, behavioral, and psychopharmacologic strategies.

 

Osborn School District: SCOPES - The SCOPES program in the Osborn School District provides consultation to schools and treatment to children and families. The program is research-based and grant-funded. Residents are accompanied at SCOPES by supervisor Erum Ali, M.D. Residents have the unique experience of providing treatment in collaboration with teachers in the school setting itself. The provision of services in the school environment increases access to mental health services for children and families. Residents receive a unique experience and perspective on optimizing mental health care for today's children. Evaluations are comprehensive and involve family interviews and observation of family dynamics. Residents participate in and provide psychiatric evaluations, consultations with school and staff, parent feedback and family interventions, social skills training with children, and parent training.

 

Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital - Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital is located within the Gila River Indian Community. Residents are supervised by Lisa Cobourn, M.D., who accompanies them at Hu Hu Kam. Residents gain experience in school and systems consult-liaison by providing consultation to schools and hospital/clinic staff. Residents have the unique opportunity to work with Head Start and the local schools in this Indian Community setting, and gain cultural knowledge and understanding. The Native American Community Outpatient elective also trains residents to provide culturally sensitive and effective care to children and families.

 

The following outside elective rotations are also available:

  • Arizona Department of Health Services / Division of Behavioral Health Services - Administrative Child Psychiatry Elective
  • Arizona State University - Eating Disorders Clinic Elective
  • Department of Developmental Disabilities - Administrative Child Psychiatry Elective
  • MedPro - Outpatient Psychopharmacology Elective
  • Society of St. Vincent De Paul - Outpatient Clinic Elective

(Any current required rotation site can be used for an elective as an extension of same rotation activities or modified/expanded activity)

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Physician and Psychologist Faculty

 
  • Shayne Tomisato, M.D.
    Director of Child Fellowship
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at University of North Carolina
    Psychiatric Residency: Duke University
  • Lisa Cobourn, M.D.
    Assistant Director of Child Fellowship
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at University of Michigan
    Psychiatric Residency: University of Michigan
  • Erum Ali, M.D.
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at Maricopa Medical Center
    Psychiatric Residency: Maricopa Medical Center
  • Mary Cost, Psy.D.
    Argosy University / Arizona School of Professional Psychology
    Internship - Medical Professional Associates of Arizona
    Postdoctoral Fellowship - Medical Professional Associates of Arizona
  • Evan Duffy, M.D. ABPN
    Certified in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at Maricopa Medical Center
    Psychiatric Residency: Maricopa Medical Center
  • Robert Klaehn, M.D.
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at University of Wisconsin
    Psychiatric Residency: University of Wisconsin
  • Robert Shuch, D.O.
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at University of New Mexico
    Psychiatric Residency: Maricopa Medical Center
  • Jacob Venter, M.D.
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at Harvard Medical School
    Psychiatric Residency: Maricopa Medical Center
  • Jennifer Weller, Ph.D.
    Arizona State University - Clinical Psychology
    Internship - University of New Mexico Children's Psychiatric Hospital
    Postdoctoral Fellowship - Medical Professional Associates of Arizona
  • Sheila Wong, M.D.
    ABPN Certified in Psychiatry
    Child Psychiatrist - Fellowship at Maricopa Medical Center
    Psychiatric Residency: Maricopa Medical Center
 

Applicant Qualifications

 

Applications are accepted as early as 12 months prior to the onset of training. Residents may start their Child Psychiatry Training after completing their third year of an ACGME-accredited General Psychiatry Residency. Residents later in their careers are also accepted. Residents must be eligible for a full Arizona license. The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program.

 

To Apply for Position

 

Download the Universal Application and mail to:

Daunese Suniga
Program Coordinator
570 W. Brown Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85201

Or e-mail to: daunese_suniga@medprodoctors.com .

Last updated on October 7, 2008