PGY-2
Valerie Cordero, MD
Hometown: Moca, Puerto Rico
Medical school: Ponce Health Sciences University
Undergraduate studies: University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla
About me: I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I really enjoy the outdoors and I appreciate a beautiful view! I love to travel, drink espresso, explore nature and hang out with my two cats. I am so excited to finally be in the field of psychiatry!
Hobbies: Painting, cooking, reading, Youtube
Career interests: Child psychiatry, first episode psychosis
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Nadia Jacob, MD
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical school: St. George’s University
Undergraduate studies: Psychology at Fisk University
About me: Born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. As a native of an urban area, it was early on that I realized the immense need of mental health services in my own community. As I matriculated through college in Nashville, TN and my post-baccalaureate program in St. Louis, MO, it was apparent that the issues that plagued my home town were widespread. This led me to pursue a career in medicine, with a special interest in psychiatry, and attended St. George's University in the beautiful country of Grenada. I am passionate about combatting the stigma that surrounds mental health. I strive to be a trusted provider in communities that are in the most need.
Hobbies: DIY Crafts, Reading and Travel
Career interests: Addiction Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Psychotherapy
Mara Dalida, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical school: St. George's University
Undergraduate studies: Austin College (BA, Psychology, Women’s Studies); Texas Woman’s University (MA, Counseling Psychology)
About me: Jersey born, Texas grown. I graduated college with plans to become a therapist with an interest in trauma. After working as a case manager with ACT teams and in the Dallas County PD’s Office, I decided to start a second career to pursue psychiatry. Outside of psychiatry interests, I can usually be found hanging out with my fiancé, walking with my Siberian husky, or eating (lactose-free) ice cream.
Hobbies: Reading, Travel, Broadway, Trivia/Game nights, hanging with friends
Career interests: Forensics, Community
Giovanni Montesano, DO
Sreedevi Damodar, MD
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Aleksandar Nikolic, DO
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL.
Undergraduate Studies: B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavior (Florida Atlantic University)
About me: Born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, I moved to Florida to attend IMG Academies – a sports academy and boarding high school. Fascinated by human nature, I pursued a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior in college. During that time, I published and presented work in the realm of phenomenology and empiricism. In medical school, I was the president of Neuropsych and the secretary of Plant Based Medicine student organizations. While there, I published articles on habits on centenarians in the Blue Zones, stigma surrounding mental illness and dietary modifications that decrease risk of stroke and MIs. During MS2 year, I was a part of a medical mission trip in Gujarat, India.
Hobbies: When I’m not figuring out ways to make healthy food delicious, I’m exploring the outer world through travel, or the inner world through meditation and reading. Fiction, philosophy and psychology are my favorite genres. I also enjoy exercise and sometimes I write essays and stories.
Career Interests:CL psychiatry and public mental health/advocacy
Vikram Gurusamy, MD
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Medical school: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Undergraduate studies: Washington University in St. Louis
Hobbies: Pickup basketball, Bhangra dancing, My dog Simba
Career interests: Everything Psychiatry!
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Keira Williams, MD
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Medical school: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
Undergraduate studies: Spelman College, Biology, Atlanta, Georgia
About me: My interest in psychiatry developed after doing my third-year medical school psychiatry rotation. I love that with psychiatry, you're able to wholistically treat the patient with measures like therapy, while still getting to do medical management. There is never a dull moment in psychiatry! As a native of Tampa, I'm excited to be working in my home state and living closer to family again.
Hobbies: Listening to music, working out
Career interests: Currently undecided, child and adolescent or general psychiatry.