Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Program

The Psychiatry Residency Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is recognized as a leading training ground for future psychiatrists. The program focuses on creating leaders in academic psychiatry through flexible, individualized training pathways and subspecialty tracks, encompassing both clinical and research endeavors.

Clinical Training Environment

The program utilizes several state-of-the-art clinical training sites, primarily The Mount Sinai Hospital and the new Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center (MSBHC). These facilities allow for a comprehensive approach to psychiatry training, integrating various resources and providing a rich educational landscape for residents. Residents gain experience in diverse clinical settings, which include inpatient psychiatry, outpatient care, emergency services, and specialized subspecialty clinics.

Training at Mount Sinai Hospital

The Mount Sinai Hospital, one of the oldest teaching hospitals in the U.S., serves as a core site for rotations. The hospital's psychiatric inpatient service is one of the longest-established in the nation, offering the opportunity to work closely with diverse patient populations. Residents participate in daily interdisciplinary team meetings and have protected time for clinical education, ensuring a balance between practical experience and academic learning 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is designed to encompass a four-year training period where residents progressively develop specific skills and expertise:

First Year (PGY-1)

The first year focuses on foundational medical knowledge, with residents rotating through various specialties, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. They gain experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, enhancing their clinical competencies early in their training 3.

Second Year (PGY-2)

During the second year, residents solidify their skills in inpatient psychiatry, including a significant outpatient experience. This year also features a lengthy six-month outpatient rotation at the Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center, providing deeper insights into psychopharmacological and therapeutic practices 3.

Third Year (PGY-3)

The third year emphasizes outpatient psychiatry, where residents tailor their experiences to align with their interests in specific psychiatric subspecialties while also managing their own patient caseloads. Additional time is allocated for mentorship opportunities in psychotherapeutic modalities 3.

Fourth Year (PGY-4)

The fourth year is primarily dedicated to consolidating residents' skills in a longitudinal manner, allowing them to supervise junior residents while advancing their education and leadership abilities in psychiatry 3.

Research Opportunities

The program offers robust research tracks designed to cultivate future physician-scientists. The NIH R25 funded residency programs provide significant flexibility, allowing residents to pursue individualized research interests while honing their clinical capabilities. They benefit from access to leading research mentors and extensive funding opportunities for projects 6.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A distinctive feature of the program is the multidisciplinary approach cultivated through the coupling of psychiatry with neuroscience. Residents benefit from a vibrant scholarly community within the Friedman Brain Institute and have opportunities to engage in various important research endeavors, prominently within the areas of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy 1.

Application Requirements and Competition

Applicants to the Psychiatry Residency Program are encouraged to have substantial prior research experience, particularly those applying for the physician-scientist track, although the program considers all applicants evenly. The selection process is competitive and includes submission of standard application materials 9.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports visa sponsorship for international medical graduates and offers assistance throughout the application and training process.

Resident Life and Wellbeing

Life as a resident at Mount Sinai is characterized by a strong commitment to the wellbeing and professional development of residents. The program ensures a rich experiential learning environment through mentorship, wellness programs, and community-building activities. Residents are matched with peers and attending faculty, fostering a supportive network 8.

Salaries and Benefits

The program offers competitive salaries adjusted annually across postgraduate years, with additional benefits including guaranteed housing, health insurance, stipends for meals and educational expenses, and robust support for wellness initiatives 8.

In summary, the Psychiatry Residency Program at Mount Sinai provides an integrative and supportive educational framework designed to produce well-rounded, expert psychiatrists capable of leading in practice, research, and community engagement.