Q & A with Alexandra Kelter, M.D.:
Where are you from?
I am originally from Southeast Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate. I was thrilled by the opportunity to return to my alma mater, the same place where I chose to pursue psychiatry years ago!
Why did you choose U-M?
When interviewing at the University of Michigan, I connected with our amazing faculty and knew that this program would support my clinical and academic interests by providing a breadth of diverse opportunities. U-M offers an array of clinical experiences in inpatient and outpatient settings, including the psychiatry emergency department, the University hospital, and the VA hospital. In such a large academic setting, there are also endless opportunities for leadership and scholarship! I am currently serving as one of our Class Representatives, the Resident Fellow Member Outreach Director for the Michigan Psychiatric Society, and am involved in the Suicide Prevention, Treatment, and Research (STaR) Lab, which works to prevent suicide among individuals with serious mental illness.
What is your current focus?
During our second year, we spend the majority of our clinical time on inpatient rotations at the University hospital. I’m currently on the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry unit and have had the opportunity to manage youth with first episode psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
What is most rewarding about your work?
Through the past two years, I’ve learned about the impact we can have on our patients in their most vulnerable moments. I cared for a patient last year who was readmitted to medicine months later for an infection and suicidal ideation. I had the pleasure of seeing him on the consult service. He shared that he remembered the care I had provided him earlier that year, and that he promised to come back to the hospital if he ever thought of hurting himself again. At the end of our interaction, he told me I saved his life.
What future direction do you see for your career?
I am interested in pursuing a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry after residency! Developmental processes play a huge role in psychopathology, and I am hopeful to gain a fuller appreciation of psychiatric disorders from this perspective. I especially enjoy the opportunity to intervene for youth who are struggling with mental health during such a pivotal time.
What do you like the most about Ann Arbor?
I love the variety of activities that Ann Arbor has to offer! You can run through the Arb, float on the Huron River, cheer on Michigan Football at the Big House, or grab a bite to eat at one of our excellent restaurants downtown! We are also very close to Detroit, so you can easily head down there for concerts, sports or shows.
Q & A with Destiny Stroman, M.D.:
Where are you from?
I am from “The Motor City” DETROIT!
Why did you choose U-M?
There is a plethora of opportunities to experience multiple specialty clinics and to see so many college students which aligns with my future aspirations. I also love the fact that there are world renowned faculty here that’s doing amazing research, so I simply wanted to learn from the leaders and the best! Go Blue!
What is your current focus?
I’m currently on acute inpatient psychiatric floor where we help stabilize individuals who are in a crisis. I am also one of the Residency meet and greet coordinators.
What is most rewarding about your work?
I find the most rewarding thing about my job is when people leave with hope and a plan for wellness moving forward after a crisis.
What future direction do you see for your career?
I am interest in doing outpatient psychiatry as an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist, or working on a college campus! I am also interested in Perinatal and Infant Psychiatry. My dream is to open a practice and do community consult liaison work while educating other general practitioners, pediatricians and OB/GYN providers on how to best serve their patients with mental health disorders or crises.
What do you like the most about Ann Arbor?
I love Ann Arbor for the shopping, sports, parks, greenery and food!
