Psychiatry
Rochester Regional Health
Director’s Letter
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the Rochester Regional Health Psychiatry Residency Program. Our health system serves a 14-county region across upstate New York, encompassing the city of Rochester, it’s surrounding suburbs, and rural communities throughout the region. Through a broad network of hospitals, outpatient programs, and community-based services, we care for patients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and with a wide range of psychiatric needs — an essential experience to becoming a well-rounded psychiatrist.
As a resident at Rochester Regional, you will take meaningful responsibility for patient care and develop into a confident, independent physician. You will learn from dedicated clinicians and educators who are committed to mentorship, invested in your growth, and eager to help you discover the kind of psychiatrist you hope to become.
But our vision extends beyond developing skilled physicians. We aim to prepare psychiatrists who understand people in context, advocate effectively, and lead with sound judgment and humility. That understanding cannot be developed entirely within hospitals and clinics. We believe residents should be active participants in the communities they serve, learning from the people, neighborhoods, institutions, and traditions that give those communities their character — from the Rochester Public Market and Rochester International Jazz Festival to gathering places and organizations across our region.
We invite you to explore Rochester Regional Health and discover a place where you will be challenged, supported, and prepared to build a meaningful career in psychiatry.
Jonathan Davila, MD
Residency Program Director
Program Highlights
Clinical Exposure
Our Psychiatry Residency Program is designed to prepare residents to confidently diagnose and treat the full range of psychiatric and substance use disorders across diverse patient populations and treatment settings.
As part of the largest behavioral health network in Upstate and Western New York, residents gain exposure to an exceptional breadth of clinical experiences. In 2025 alone, our system provided care to more than 3,300 patients across three inpatient psychiatric units and over 1,500 patients in inpatient addiction recovery services. Residents also train in one of the busiest psychiatric emergency services in the region, with nearly 4,000 patient encounters annually across the Rochester General Hospital and Clifton Springs Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEP).
Training opportunities span both urban and rural practice environments, offering residents a well-rounded perspective on mental health care delivery. Clinical experiences include:
- Adult Inpatient and Outpatient Psychiatry
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Substance use disorder treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings
- Geriatric Psychiatry and Geriatric Consultation Services
- Chronic and Community Mental Health Care
- Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care and Medical Settings
- Behavioral Health Urgent Care Services
Our commitment to individualized education extends beyond the services available within our health system. If a resident has a specific clinical interest not represented in our network, we work closely with them to identify additional training opportunities throughout the Rochester region.
Located in Rochester, New York, the birthplace of the biopsychosocial model, our program benefits from a long-standing culture of collaboration among healthcare systems, academic institutions, and community organizations. This collaborative environment provides residents with exceptional educational opportunities while preparing them for successful careers in any psychiatric practice setting.
Whether your future lies in community psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry, private practice, or fellowship training, our program provides the clinical depth, diversity, and support to help you achieve your goals.
Teaching
Education is woven into the fabric of our residency. Every rotation provides meaningful learning opportunities through bedside teaching, multidisciplinary collaboration, and structured educational experiences. Residents also enjoy a protected half-day of didactics each week, free from clinical duties, allowing them to fully engage in learning. On Fridays, our lunchtime Complex Case Conference gives sub-interns and residents the chance to present challenging cases, develop their teaching skills, and learn from faculty and peers in an interactive setting.
Research and Publication
Our faculty are extremely involved in community projects and outreach to decrease stigma for patients with Behavioral Health conditions. The faculty and hospital system are poised to help you discover and research your interests.
Diversity
Our residency is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Rochester Regional Health serves a richly diverse patient population with a wide range of cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, gender, and sexual identities. We believe our residents provide the highest quality care when they train in an environment that values diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
We strive to recruit and support residents and faculty from a broad range of backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. Our curriculum incorporates cultural humility, structural competency, and the recognition of health disparities, preparing residents to deliver compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally responsive psychiatric care. By embracing diversity within our residency community, we strengthen our educational environment and enhance our ability to meet the evolving mental health needs of the patients and communities we serve.
Quality and Safety
Ambulatory Care
Wellness
Resident wellness is a core value of our program and is intentionally integrated into the residency experience rather than treated as an afterthought. We recognize that becoming an exceptional psychiatrist requires not only clinical excellence but also attention to personal well-being, resilience, and professional fulfillment.
Residents participate in protected quarterly half-day wellness programming incorporated into the didactic schedule, providing dedicated time to connect with colleagues, build community, and focus on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, physical health, financial wellness, work-life integration, and physician resilience. Throughout training, program leadership maintains an open-door policy and conducts regular check-ins to ensure residents feel supported both personally and professionally. We encourage residents to develop a sustainable balance between the demands of residency and their lives outside of medicine, recognizing that well-being is essential to providing outstanding patient care.
In addition to program-specific initiatives, residents have access to comprehensive employee wellness resources, including confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, mental health support, counseling, and other institutional wellness resources.
Curriculum
PGY-1 Curriculum
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| System Orientation | 0.25 | 1 |
| IM Boot Camp | 0.25 | 1 |
| Inpatient Med (RGH) | 3 | 12 |
| Inpatient Neuro | 1 | 4 |
| Outpatient Neuro | 1 | 4 |
| Outpatient Medicine | 0.75 | 3 |
| Inpatient Psych – G1 | 3.25 | 13 |
| Emergency Psych CIU | 2.5 | 10 |
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 52 |
PGY-2 Curriculum
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| Inpatient Psych – 4100 | 3.25 | 13 |
| Forensic – RPC | 1.5 | 6 |
| Addiction Psychiatry (ARS) | 3.25 | 13 |
| ACT | 0.75 | 3 |
| Consults | 1.5 | 6 |
| Outpt/Psychotherapy Clinic (Longitudinal) | ||
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 52 |
PGY-3 Curriculum
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| Child (Longitudinal) | 2.4 | 9.6 |
| Older Adult (Longitudinal) | 1.2 | 4.8 |
| Outpatient Psych (Longitudinal) | 4.8 | 19.2 |
| Psychotherapy Clinic (Longitudinal) | 1.2 | 4.8 |
| VA | 1.2 | 4.8 |
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 52 |
PGY-4 Curriculum
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| Clinical Admin (Longitudinal) | 0 | 0 |
| Outpt/Psychotherapy Clinic (Longitudinal) | 0 | |
| Inpatient Psych (G-1 RPC) | 3.25 | 13 |
| Emergency Psych (CIU RGH) | 2.5 | 10 |
| Consultation Liaison | 3.25 | 13 |
| Palliative Care | 0.5 | 2 |
| Elective | 2.5 | 10 |
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 52 |
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in the Rochester General Psychiatric Residency Program. The final date applications are accepted is November 30, 2024.
Applications for the next intern class to the Rochester General Hospital Psychiatric Residency Program are required to apply to the program using ERAS.
We Require:
- Three letters of recommendation are required (one from a psychiatrist preferred)
- Personal Statement: We have no specific requirements but would like to hear why you are choosing Psychiatry
- No more than one failure on USMLE/COMLEX
- Applicants must be legally able to work in the U.S. or eligible to obtain work authorization
- Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English (both written and verbal)
Benefits & Compensation
Vacation
4 weeks of paid vacation per year
Travel & Education Allowance
Each resident year an allowance of $1,500 will be provided for educational items and activities.
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance is provided by Rochester General Hospital’s insurance program for activities required by the residency program.
Term Life Insurance
$10,000 employer paid coverage with option to purchase added coverage up to 4 times annual salary.
Plan for Short-term Disability
Residents are entitled to up to six months of pay in the event of any disability, compensated at 60% of the resident stipend.
Long-term Disability
Option to purchase 50-67% of pay coverage
Retirement Program
Option to enroll in tax-deferred annuity plan.
Dental Plan
Option to purchase one of two plans available
Wellness Center
Free membership to state of the art Rochester Regional Health fitness center, including classes offered at the center.
Salaries are paid on a bi-weekly basis. The salaries for the 2023- 2024 academic year will be: (salary + stipend)
$73,000
PGY-1
$76,000
PGY-2
$80,000
PGY-3
$88,000
PGY-4
Leadership
Eve Hosford, LCSW-R
Sr. Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Behavioral Health
Additional Information
Location: Genesee Mental Health Center
Graduate Education: Syracuse University
Mary K. Marrocco, MD
Executive Medical Director/Chair, Behavioral Health
System Executive Medical Director/Chair, Dept. of Psychiatry
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Mental Health Center
Medical School: Wayne State University
Residency: Psychiatry, Loyola University of Chicago
Fellowship: Psychiatry and Law, University of Rochester
Kelley-Anne Cyzeski Klein, MD
Interim/Acting Associate Program Director
Additional Information
Location: Unity Chemical Dependency
Medical School: New York Medical College, School of Medicine
Residency: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Sahar Elezabi, MD
Acting Associate Program Director
Additional Information
Location: Rochester General Hospital
Medical School: Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Residency: Internal Medicine & Psychiatry, University of Rochester
Jonathan Davila, MD
Program Director
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Genesee Mental Health Center
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Fellowship: University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Faculty
Rachel Borden, MD, MS
Psychiatrist, Assertive Community Treatment Team
Additional Information
Location: St. Mary’s Campus
Medical School: University at Buffalo State University of New York
Residency: Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center
Ritchie DeVasser, MD
Medical Director, Chemical Dependency
Additional Information
Location: Unity Chemical Dependency
Medical School: Kasturba Medical College
Residency: Hennepin County Medical Center
Alexandra Fotiou, MD
Psychiatrist, Inpatient Psychiatry
Additional Information
Location: Unity Mental Health Greece
Medical School: University of Ottawa
Residency: Stony Brook University Hospital
Dorota Gardy, MD
Service Line Division Head, Ambulatory Adult, Youth and Family
Additional Information
Location: Genesee Mental Health
Medical School: University of Witwatersrand
Residency: Psychiatry, University of Witwatersrand
Fellowship: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Elmhurst Hospital
Fellowship: Addiction Psychiatry, Mt. Sinai Hospital
Ann E.Z. Griepp, MD
Psychiatrist, Mentor, Founder/Past Program Director, RRH Psychiatry Residency
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Mental Health Center
Medical School: Michigan State University
Residency: Psychiatry, University of Rochester
Fellowship: Neuropsychiatry, University of Rochester
Adrian Leibovici, MD
Psychiatrist / Mentor
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Mental Health Center, Rochester General Hospital
Medical School: “Carol Davila” Medical School
Residency: Family Medicine, “Carol Davila” Medical School
Internship/Residency: Psychiatry, University of Rochester
Fellowship: Geropsychiatry, University of Rochester
Nicole Lighthouse, MD
Psychiatrist, Outpatient MH
Additional Information
Location: Genesee Mental Health Center
Medical School: A. T. Still University
Residency: Case Western Reserve University Hospital – GME
Ingrid Carolina Madero, MD
Psychiatrist / Mentor, Finger Lakes CPEP
Additional Information
Location: Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic
Medical School: Universidad del Norte
Residency: Jackson Memorial Hospital /University of Miami
Fellowship: University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital
John S. McIntyre, MD, DFAPA, FAC
Psychiatrist / Mentor
Additional Information
Medical Director, HCR Home Care
Medical School: University of Rochester
Internship: Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center
Residency: Psychiatry, University of Rochester
Charles Mitschow, MD
Psychiatrist, Adult Ambulatory MH
Additional Information
Medical School: Upstate Medical University
Residency: Psychiatry, Naval Medical Center
Aurelian Niculescu, MD
Psychiatrist, Residency Teaching Attending
Additional Information
Location: Rochester General Hospital – Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Medical School: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Fellowship: Strong Memorial Hospital
Residency: Strong Memorial Hospital
Alyssa Peterson, MD
Psychiatrist, Outpatient MH
Additional Information
Location: Genesee Mental Health Center
Medical School: New York Medical College, School of Medicine
Residency: Albany Medical Center
Jennifer Richman, MD
Service Line Division Head, Acute Services
Additional Information
Location: Unity Hospital / Rochester General Hospital
Medical School: University of Rochester Medical Center
Internship: University of Rochester, Clinical Psychology Program
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital
Zaid Saeed, DO
Psychiatrist, Faculty, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Additional Information
Location: Genesee Mental Health Center
Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
Internship: Albany Medical College of Union University
Residency: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Nusrat Shafiq, MD
Psychiatrist, Inpatient Psychiatry
Additional Information
Location: Unity Specialty Hospital, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, St. Mary’s
Medical School: Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Residency: Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Michael Simson, MD
Service Line Division Head, Education and Quality, Medical Director PROS / Mentor
Additional Information
Location: Genesee Mental Health Center – PROS
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Residency: Cambridge Hospital
Why Rochester?
The Greater Rochester area, in the Finger Lakes region of New York, is a truly unique place to live and work. Rochester’s urban arts, entertainment and dining venues are complemented by surrounding suburban, rural and lakefront communities. This results in a wealth of options for work and play.