Residents

Mikeala Bekemeier, MD

Tim Bilal, DO

Cheyenne Hammond, MD

Devan Baijal, DO

Hometown: Brentwood, TN & Yokohama, Japan
Undergrad: University of Rochester
Medical School: Kansas City University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I always knew I wanted to go into Psychiatry, but I didn’t know what kind of residency program I wanted. It wasn’t until I started researching programs until CMC came up on my radar, and I instantly was attracted to the size of the program, the community, and the opportunities. When I did a rotation here, I instantly felt comfortable and knew this was somewhere I could learn to grow to be the best physician and psychiatrist I can be. I truly appreciate not only how close all the residents are, but also personal relationships you can form with attendings. The program has the best of both worlds in terms of having a community feel but with the added benefit of existing within a larger academic center. The opportunities are endless, and you truly have the availability to pursue what you’re interested in, while also being exposed to every subspeciality of psychiatry. Finally, Charlotte itself is a beautiful, bustling city and perfect for anyone!

Omari Baines-Waiz, DO

Hometown: Pensacola, FL
Undergrad: University of South Florida
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: When looking for programs to apply to, I wanted to find a program that had unique opportunities within psychiatry, had excellent teaching, and celebrated all types of diversity. I was fortunate to find all of these and more at CMC psychiatry! Before the application process began, I was able to connect with the program through their virtual open houses where I got to know the program’s leadership, residents, and values. I appreciate that the program encourages residents to pursue their passion within medicine by providing the necessary support and connections to shape their unique future. It was also evident from the virtual open houses and the interview day that the culture and relationship between leadership and residents is strong, allowing feedback from residents to be taken seriously and acted upon swiftly. Also, I can’t forget to mention the wonderful city of Charlotte! There’s always something to do in the area whether you enjoy trying new restaurants and bars, playing games, watching sports, or enjoying the outdoors!

Chris Carlisle, DO

Hometown: Amityville, NY
Undergrad: Farmingdale State College
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - New York
Why I chose CMC: Coming to CMC was something that I dreamed of when I first began my residency program search. During my interview, this interest was reciprocated by everyone I interacted with. This was the reassurance I needed to feel comfortable as I proceeded to the next step in my journey as a physician. Everyone expressed great pride in the healthcare system that Atrium is and how much they want it to grow. With the wide variety of facilities, diverse patient population, and strong collaboration, I recommend coming here to any seekers. You will be amazed at how easy it is to find your place at Atrium Health, and Charlotte, NC, as I have.

Kritheeka Kalathil, MD

Hometown: Asheville, NC
Undergrad: Miami University
Medical School: Wake Forest University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC Psychiatry because of my first-hand experience rotating with the program during my 3rd and 4th years of medical school. The attendings and residents I worked with were deeply invested in my education, fostering a positive learning environment. Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel like an integral part of the group from the first day! I was impressed by the program's focus on preparing residents to serve diverse communities, making it an invaluable resource for the area. The First Break Psychosis Program and the Assertive Community Treatment Team further demonstrated their dedication to community well-being. In the evolving field of psychiatry, CMC is a program that is eager to adapt and evolve to fit the needs of our patients.

Kirin Schultz, MD

Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: Chicago Medical School
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: When I was selecting my rank list for residency programs, I spent a lot of time figuring out what was important for my happiness and for my future career. I did an away rotation with CMC during my fourth year and was blown away by the compassion and knowledge every provider I worked with had. The city of Charlotte was exactly what I was looking for with a mix of city, nature, and great food. Ultimately, I felt that CMC Psychiatry was the perfect match with their innovative programs, amazing faculty, and its location in a great city to live in as a young professional.

Justin Adam, MD

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergrad: University of Alabama
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose this program because I felt welcomed as I am. I knew I would be joining faculty who would support my growth as both a resident psychiatrist and as a person. I feel extremely lucky that I have a job I love going to every day and my co-residents double as my built-in friend group.

Amy Adik, MD

Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergrad: Kent State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I knew I wanted a community program because of the family feel and customization that was available. I liked that you can create your own electives and that all the attendings seemed genuinely interested in teaching. I also loved the area!

Liliana Gonzalez Cabrales, MD

Hometown: Bogota, Columbia
Medical School: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá Facultad de Medicina
Why I chose CMC: I chose this program for its strong sense of camaraderie among residents. During my medical student rotation, I fell in love with the city and the hospital and was impressed by the amazing clinicians. As an international medical graduate and with the challenges that it brings, I have felt well-supported by residents and faculty. The program's commitment to helping residents shape their careers and interests, combined with its position as a small program within a large healthcare network, offers excellent learning and academic opportunities.

Drew Shook, MD

Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Undergrad: University of Alabama
Medical School: Wake Forest University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC because I wanted an intimate program with a flexible curriculum and a focus on resident education. Charlotte’s food and disc golf scenes sealed the deal.

Holly Staroba, DO

Hometown: Key West, FL
Undergrad: University of NC – Wilmington
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC because during my 4th year rotation here, it felt like home. All the physicians are wonderful teachers and inspiring clinicians. The patient population we serve in Charlotte is vast and diverse- lending itself to the most unique learning opportunities. I’ve felt so supported here I moment I started, and I’ve been so impressed with every aspect with this program. The city of Charlotte is an amazing place to live with so much to do. I really felt like this program would allow me to grow into the best version of myself!

Morgan Wan, MD

Hometown: Lilburn, GA
Undergrad: Augusta University
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: It has good access to all of the things I wanted (interventional, forensics, a lot of other subspecialties) in a one-on-one environment with attendings. The interview was also quite welcoming and friendly. While here I’ve also really loved the smaller class size and how it’s allowed me to be closer to the whole class.

Zhala Aliyeva, MD

Hometown: Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan / Charlotte, NC
Medical School: Azerbaijan Medical University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry:Being local to Charlotte, I was already familiar with CMC’s strong reputation in the community. Before joining the program, I had the opportunity to complete observerships with several CMC Psychiatry attendings. From my very first interactions, I felt welcomed and valued. I was truly impressed by the supportive atmosphere, the professionalism, and the warm, collaborative environment among faculty and residents. That experience confirmed that CMC is a place where I could grow both professionally and personally while serving a population that aligns with my passion for compassionate, holistic mental health care.

Sydney Cabana, MD

Hometown: Tampa, FL
Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: University of Florida
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: As someone who does well in a small, close-knit community, I was drawn to the kindness and attentiveness of Dr. Bowen, faculty, and residents during my interview day. I was especially drawn to the program's emphasis on health equity, diversity, and humanistic care. Carolinas Medical Center is also home to a vast array of psychiatric practice settings, including partial hospitalization programs, an area I am interested in as a career. I am excited to begin my residency journey this year and am more than happy to speak to anyone interested in joining our program in the coming years!

Robert Dixon, DO

Hometown: Mooresville, NC
Undergrad: University of North Carolina - Charlotte
Medical School: Campbell University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC Psychiatry for several reasons. To start, I wanted to attend a program that offered a high-quality training experience and was close enough to home. I was fortunate that CMC’s psychiatry program offered both for me. When I did an away rotation here during my 4th year, I saw firsthand all the various experiences offered in one place, which I did not see at any other program I interviewed with. CMC offers training and experiences in every area of psychiatry I’m interested in. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful during my rotation and even after, which was also important for me. Also, the benefits offered are excellent when compared to other programs. I’m thoroughly excited to be here and train with the population I plan on serving after residency!

Ethan Patel, DO

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergrad: University of Texas - Dallas
Medical School: Kansas City University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: When it came time to apply for residency, I knew I valued a program that had strong community interventions, was diverse, and emphasized respect and teamwork. During my rotation here I witnessed and felt the respect and encouragement from all the faculty and residents I worked and interacted with! Community care is truly something I think is important in the field of psychiatry, and seeing all the different ways that the program facilitates exposure to the surrounding community is a huge positive. Experiences such as ACTT, the EAGLE program, and many others, signaled to me that I would be able to learn in vitally important and unique situations. Finally, Charlotte is perfect for young-professionals and has a wonderful mix of city life and nature. I'm excited to see where my journey at CMC takes me!

Arazoo Shwany, DO

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergrad: University of California – Los Angeles
Medical School: Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC Psychiatry because the faculty go out of their way to support students and residents, with personalized mentorship that made me feel valued and empowered. The program’s clinical opportunities, ranging from reproductive to forensic to sports psychiatry, match my diverse interests and long-term goals. Charlotte is a vibrant city with lots of events, activities, and travel options, making it a great place to grow both professionally and personally.

Sydney Taylor, MD

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergrad: University of North Carolina – Charlotte
Medical School: East Carolina University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: Our program has everything and more that I wanted for my residency training. While rotating as a fourth-year medical student, everyone went out of their way to make me feel supported and were truly invested in my learning. Leadership supports residents wherever their passions take them, and there are unique curriculum options that you can customize to fit your specific interests in psychiatry. I also loved the close-knit small class sizes. I am incredibly lucky to have found a program so deeply invested in the community it serves, and Charlotte has amazing food too - enough said!