Since childhood, I've felt a profound calling to the field of medicine—a conviction nurtured by my early, enthusiastic declarations of being "a doctor" while adorned in a stethoscope and white coat. This passion naturally progressed with my discovery of child and adolescent psychiatry during medical school. This specialty aligns with my passions for scientific advancement and public health advocacy.
In my practice at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, I prioritize a person-centered, collaborative approach tailored to each unique patient. This involves forming a shared treatment plan that respects each patient’s history and what matters most, always guided by evidence-based options. I specialize in treating patients with mood and anxiety disorders, perinatal mental health, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and trauma, employing both medication management and therapeutic interventions.
My commitment extends beyond clinical practice. As medical director at NYC Health + Hospitals, my work focuses on innovative, integrated mental health initiatives. I supervise programs within New York City Family Justice Centers and domestic violence shelters, providing trauma-informed, culturally-sensitive mental healthcare. These collaborative efforts, involving adult and child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and community health workers, reflect groundbreaking approaches to universal screening and evidence-based treatment for those who have experienced gender-based violence.
Leadership in research projects such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Category III NCTSN grant, and the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study, underscores my dedication to bridging science and policy. These projects enhance systemic screening and referral processes, focusing on maternal and early childhood mental health, intergenerational mood disorders, and trauma epidemiology. They align with my commitment to improving service delivery on multiple levels.
My career is further distinguished by contributions at city, state, and federal levels, including impactful revisions of health policies and initiatives targeting immigrant families and trauma-informed care. My work with the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Women’s Mental Health advances research and clinical knowledge specific to women’s psychiatric illnesses, enhancing care systems to foster self-care in communities.
Together, these endeavors resonate with my lifelong dedication to ensuring accessible, compassionate, and innovative mental healthcare, improving both individual lives and broader community wellbeing.
