Psychiatry
Rochester General Hospital
Director’s Letter
Welcome to the Psychiatry Residency at Rochester General Hospital! Rochester General is one of five teaching hospitals serving a 14-county radius in upstate New York. We are delighted you are considering a career in psychiatry as we (the faculty) find it to be an invigorating, growth-promoting career, and want to help you develop your full potential as a clinician, teacher, scholar, and advocate for mental health.
With the support of our experienced faculty and staff, our residency program continues to evolve into a robust and enriching experience. Our clinical programs are busy and well established, treating diverse populations. Our goal is to help you become a state-of-the-art clinician who maintains a sense of humanity, well-being, and resilience.
We invite you to explore what makes our program special and consider if it is the right fit for you.
Ann EZ Griepp, MD
Residency Program Director
Our RRH community strives to cultivate and promote diversity and inclusion at all levels, empowering each team member to show up as themselves daily.
We believe that our collective diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, coupled with an inclusive and just environment that harnesses and celebrates that diversity is fundamental in our efforts to improve the health and well-being of all our team members, patients, and communities in which we are privileged to serve.
Program Highlights
Clinical Exposure
Rochester General is a 528 bed hospital with the 11th busiest emergency room in the country. In 2019 the RGH psychiatric inpatient unit saw 648 adult patients, while the Psychiatric ED saw 2,837 patients.
With both urban and rural rotations available, the system has inpatient/outpatient adult psychiatry, outpatient child psychiatry, inpatient, outpatient substance use disorder treatment, consultation-liaison services, geriatric outpatient and consultation services, chronic mental health outpatient care, integrated psychiatry- medicine sites and urgent care behavioral health care. If a service is not available in our system, we will work with you make it happen within our region. Rochester, the home of the biopsychosocial model, is well known for its collaborative care.
Teaching
Residents will work with faculty that are experienced educators. We are not a university . . . . we teach because it is what we do . . . . our commitment to the patients and our community.
Academics
The system has been taking care of our patients without trainees, thus our rotations are not “ run on the backs of residents” but are selected for optimal educational opportunity/patient exposure. There is a robust didactic schedule with a protected half day for lectures, case conferences and supervision.
Our faculty can be found in state of the art programs such as Project ECHO (virtual case conferencing) for Eating Disorders, Opioids and Addiction. A monthly, evidence based and CME approved, Best Practices Seminar is open to the residents. Our faculty are certified to teach the Buprenorphine training required to apply for an x waiver in NYS. As residents progress, the curriculum is designed to build, enhance and refine skills year after year. There will be opportunities for teaching, and training on how to teach.
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.
Quality and Safety
Ambulatory Care
Wellness and Diversity
About the Program
Curriculum
PGY-1
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| Emergency Psych | 1 | 4 |
| Forensic | 1.5 | 6 |
| Inpatient Medicine | 3.25 | 13 |
| Inpatient Neuro | 1 | 4 |
| Inpatient Psych | 2 | 8 |
| Outpatient Medicine | 1 | 4 |
| Outpatient Neuro | 1 | 4 |
| PM&R | 0.75 | 3 |
| Wellness | 0.5 | 2 |
| Vacation | 16 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 52 |
PGY-2
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| Addiction Psych | 3 | 12 |
| CL | 1 | 4 |
| Education | 0.5 | 2 |
| Emergency Psych | 1 | 4 |
| Inpatient Psych – RGH | 3 | 12 |
| Inpatient Psych – St. Mary’s | 2 | 8 |
| Integrated Psych – Outpatient CL | 1 | 4 |
| Outpt/Psychotherapy Clinic (Longitudinal) | ||
| Wellness & Inclusion | 0.5 | 2 |
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 13 | 52 |
PGY-3
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| ACT | 0.5 | 2 |
| (Child/Adult) – Rural CEPEP | 3 | 12 |
| Education | 0.5 | 2 |
| Elective | 1 | 4 |
| Geriatric Psych (Longitudinal) | 1 | 0 |
| Outpatient Psych | 2.5 | 10 |
| Outpt/Psychotherapy Clinic (Longitudinal) | 0 | 0 |
| PROS | 3 | 12 |
| Research | 0.5 | 2 |
| Trillium/LGBTQ+ | 1 | 4 |
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 14 | 52 |
PGY-4
| ROTATION | BLOCKS | WEEKS |
| Admin Psych/Chief (Longitudinal) | 1 | 0 |
| Consultation Liaison | 2 | 8 |
| Eating Disorders | 2 | 8 |
| Elective | 4 | 16 |
| Emergency Psych (CPEP) | 1 | 4 |
| Inpatient Psych (St. Mary’s) | 3 | 12 |
| Outpt/Psychotherapy Clinic (Longitudinal) | 0 | 0 |
| Vacation | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 14 | 52 |
+ two longitudinal experiences
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
Ann E.Z. Griepp, MD
Program Director, Psychiatry Residency Program
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Mental Health Center
Medical School: Michigan State University
Residency: Psychiatry, University of Rochester
Fellowship: Neuropsychiatry, University of Rochester
Kelley-Anne Cyzeski Klein, MD
Associate Program Director
Additional Information
Location: Unity Chemical Dependency
Medical School: New York Medical College, School of Medicine
Residency: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Faculty
Stephanie Beneski-Barlow, DO
Psychiatrist, Outpatient MH
Additional Information
Location: Unity Evelyn Brandon Health Center
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Erie County Medical Center SUNY @ Buffalo
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
Eric Brewer, MD
Psychiatrist, Ambulatory MH
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Mental Health Center, Geriatric Psychiatry
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Michigan Medical Center
Fellowship: University of Michigan Medical Center
Jennifer Cromwell, MD
Psychiatrist, Outpatient MH
Additional Information
Location: Rochester Mental Health Center
Medical School: Dartmouth Medical School
Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospitals & Clinics
Jonathan Davila, MD
Psychiatrist, Outpatient MH, Child
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
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
Medical Director, Ambulatory Mental Health
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
Adrian Leibovici, MD
Faculty, ECT & TMS
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, 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
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
Medical Director, Emergency and Consultative Psychiatry
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
Medical Director, PROS, Quality & Innovation
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.