Welcome Letter

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in our residency program. As we continue to move out of the pandemic, we seek applicants that are interested in moving psychiatry forward for the state of West Virginia and beyond. Applicants to our program must have a sense of purpose. Our purpose is to improve the lives of West Virginians. As a resident in our program, you become a critical element of the healthcare team that serves this purpose. Our trainees learn from world experts and care for patients in a modern and comprehensive clinical learning environment. There are many elements of our program that are unique and exciting. For example, we have a long-established and nationally recognized telepsychiatry program and emphasize comprehensive substance use education as part of the core training program. We are leading the country in developing rural psychiatric training to provide services to our most vulnerable populations. We emphasize comprehensive and qualitative education, research and outreach while maintaining a sense of community. We are very happy to extend our reach and impact as a part of the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and collaborate with experts from other fields at the largest teaching hospital in the state. This is truly a special training program and we seek special people to serve and learn.

Ultimately, our program goals are to have our residents share and create knowledge, gain a diverse clinical experience, and progress both individually and as a group. This dovetails with the “Greater Goal” and Values of our Department:

Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry: Greater Goal
A collaborative community that advances comprehensive behavioral health across the lifespan, with innovation and excellence in healthcare, education, and research.

Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry: Values

Communication: The exchange of ideas that fosters transparency, engagement, and mutual trust.

Compassion: Empathy towards peers and patients that instills connection and hope.

Integrity: Doing what you should, even when no one is looking.

Collaboration: Working together to identify and achieve shared goals.

Enjoyment: Purpose in one’s work and community that brings delight and fulfillment.

Resident quality of life and wellness are top priorities for our program; the city of Morgantown and the surrounding area provides many recreational and cultural opportunities and activities. We prioritize caring for underrepresented and under-served populations and seek individuals from a diverse cultural background. We train residents who are comfortable in any clinical setting or fellowship post-graduation and prepare individuals to take leadership roles in healthcare.

We look forward to building a better and brighter future with our 2024 class.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Elswick, MD

Vice Chair of Education and Residency Director