Dr. Sasidhar Gunturu, Program Director
Dr. Ralph Amazan, Assistant Program Director
Ms. Noemi Edwards, Program Coordinator
Program Leadership
Dr. Saif Bashir, Chief Resident
Dr. Natasha Kasulis, Chief Resident
Dr. Sikandar Saeed, Chief Resident
A Commitment to Excellence
BronxCare’s Psychiatry Residency offers an exceptional academic environment, blending rigorous clinical training with cutting-edge neuroscientific and biopsychosocial perspectives. Our curriculum is broad-based and continually refined to ensure that residents develop mastery in psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and a comprehensive range of psychotherapeutic modalities. At the core of our teaching philosophy is the belief that excellent psychiatric care evolves from integrating knowledge across neurobiological, psychodynamic, and sociocultural domains.
The Bronx Patient Population
Our residents care for patients from many different backgrounds, with clinical experiences spanning acute inpatient units, outpatient practices, emergency psychiatry, Integrated Primary Care, Addiction Psychiatry, Consultation on Medical Units, and innovative community-based programs. The residency experience is intellectually stimulating and transformative. Trainees gain expertise serving urban inner-city populations and learning about systems that positively impact mental health. Residents are also immersed in caring for underserved individuals, immigrants, adults, seniors, children living with chronic psychiatric illness, and students, as well as collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to promote recovery and wellness.
Program Philosophy and Resident Experience
Training at BronxCare is a holistic and unique developmental experience. Our faculty is deeply invested in the personal and professional growth of every resident, providing individualized supervision, dedicated mentorship, wellness activities, and ready access to personal psychotherapy. Residents are also integrated into a collegial, supportive family with our accomplished attending psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and behavioral specialists. Our program fosters an open-door policy for problem-solving and feedback, empowering residents to shape their educational paths. Regular meetings with faculty and Chief Residents drive an ongoing commitment to resident well-being and learning.
Clinical Sites and Specialized Programs
BronxCare’s Psychiatry residents train across an extensive network of clinical settings serving as frontline clinicians on hospital inpatient units, consultation services, emergency rooms, addiction units, and community-based practices. Our specialized outpatient programs also offer Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry, and Innovative Care models that integrate behavioral health into primary care. Residents participate in research, quality improvement projects, and a psychotherapy curriculum under expert supervision.
Wellness and Resident Support
We recognize the importance of resident wellness, professional fulfillment, and psychological growth in becoming an outstanding psychiatrist. Our program includes regular wellness (remote) days, a full day of protected didactics time, a dedicated wellness committee and wellness chief, faculty-facilitated retreats, and flexible access to personal psychotherapy and career mentoring. The landscape of psychiatric practice is challenging and evolving, and we are committed to preparing residents for rewarding and sustainable careers, from academic medicine and research to community practice and advocacy.
At the heart of our residency program is a strong commitment to wellness and community. Our residents foster a supportive environment through both structured activities and shared experiences. We prioritize time to recharge, connect, and reflect together. Creative activities and celebrations are also central to our culture, residents, and patients.
In addition, our monthly wellness newsletter highlights resident achievements, upcoming events, and interactive activities to strengthen engagement across the departmental community. Outside of formal programming, residents enjoy exploring the city’s endless opportunities—discovering new cuisines, taking in the cultural diversity of New York City, and simply spending time together. We believe that wellness and also camaraderie are essential in shaping compassionate, well-rounded physicians.