On Friday, June 21, Bergen New Bridge hosted a commencement ceremony for its Psychiatry Residency Program at the historic gazebo located on the hospital’s campus. At the ceremony, the seven graduates were rewarded for their achievements and accomplishments throughout the course of the extensive and rigorous program. Joel Reed, the Program Coordinator, also shared the next steps that the graduates will be taking with their careers in order to reach their goals.
The Bergen New Bridge Psychiatry Residency Program, led by Dr. Monica Dhingra, is a competitive 34-slot program that attracts top interns across the entire country. The program utilizes a wide-ranging educational philosophy, teaching various diagnostic and treatment approaches. Trainees are introduced to a variety of well-grounded theories and therapies. Under the guidance of Bergen New Bridge’s faculty, residents are able to learn how to treat a diverse patient population, ranging from children to adults.
The seven graduates recognized are listed below.
Four Year Residency Training:
Pajtesa Kukaj, MD — Montefiore Medical Center, Einstein Campus, Consultation Liaison Fellowship
Mohammed Rahman, MD — New York University, Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry
Sukaina Rizvi, MD — Trenton Psychiatric State Hospital, Attending Psychiatrist
Vaibhav Vyas, MD — Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Addiction Psychiatry Fellow
Terrence Yang, MD — Memorial Sloan Kettering, Attending Consultation Liaison Fellowship
Three Year Residency Training:
Raju Kakarlapudi, MD — University of Kansas, Child & Adolescent Fellowship
Alysha Lubana, MD — University of Florida, Jacksonville, Child & Adolescent Fellowship
“These are the next generation of leaders who will work to address the mental health crisis in this country,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “Their commitment, drive, along with the knowledge they have gained will ultimately better our communities and healthcare for everyone.”