Residents
Class of 2027
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!
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.
Class of 2028
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.
Class of 2029
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!
Class of 2030
Riley Alvaro, DO
Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ
Undergrad: Lafayette College
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry:I chose CMC because, during my 4th-year rotation here, I felt like a valued part of the team. The physicians, residents, pharmacists, and nurses are an inspiring group of individuals. They excel both clinically, serving a diverse patient population, and academically, practicing evidence-based medicine with forward-thinking insight. I felt like I belonged here at CMC. I was supported, encouraged, and most importantly, I felt accepted as my authentic self. I knew this program offered a unique experience where I would grow and thrive not only as a physician, but also as a person. I am honored to be a part of the team that gets to provide care to Charlotte, the greater North Carolina area, and even South Carolina!
Manuela Goyeneche, MD
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Undergrad: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC because during my rotations as an
international observer, I immediately felt welcomed and encouraged to be actively involved in patient care. My experience with the team was incredibly positive and confirmed that this was a place I wanted to return to. I was especially drawn to the program’s strong emphasis on resident education and mentorship, as well as the way faculty are genuinely invested in helping residents grow and shape their training around their individual interests. I also really appreciated the close working relationships between residents and attendings. Beyond that, I felt a strong sense of camaraderie among the residents, who included me in their activities and made me feel like part of the group. All of this reinforced my impression of a program that truly values teaching, teamwork, and meaningful connections. Combined with the diversity of clinical settings, exposure to interventional psychiatry, and the unique free-standing psychiatry emergency room, CMC stands out as an exceptional place to train.
Evelyn Heimann, MD
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Medical School: University of Florida
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: During the residency application process, I was looking for a program that was committed to serving the community, allowed me the opportunity to explore my interest in child and adolescent psychiatry, and was in a location where I could see myself living and growing. As I learned more about CMC psychiatry, I knew it was a program that embodied all of these things and more. Interview day exceeded my expectations as I learned more about the program, the supportive environment, and the people who make it so great. Charlotte is a great place to live and experience life outside of residency and CMC Psychiatry is exactly the holistic training I was looking for.
Teresa Hoskins, DO
Hometown: Kent, WA
Undergrad: University of Montana
Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC because I fell in love with the program during my sub-i in 4th year. Coming from the West coast and never having been to North Carolina I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a program with a welcoming, supportive environment where striving to improve patient care was a priority. Residents and faculty had close working relationships and I fell in love with the city of Charlotte itself. I am very grateful to return to such an amazing program for my residency training.
Adam Kanawati, DO
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Undergrad: Georgia Institute of Technology
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose the psychiatry residency program at Carolinas Medical Center because I was looking for a program with strong mentorship, diverse clinical experiences, and a supportive culture. During my interactions with the program, it was clear that the faculty and residents are genuinely invested in helping trainees grow both personally and professionally. I was especially drawn to the close-knit environment within a large healthcare system, which offers exposure to a wide range of psychiatric subspecialties and patient populations. As someone interested in pursuing child and adolescent psychiatry, I value the opportunity to learn in a program that emphasizes compassionate, community-oriented care while also encouraging residents to explore their individual interests. I felt that CMC would provide the support, flexibility, and training needed to help me grow into the kind of psychiatrist I hope to become.
Doris Philastre, MD
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Undergrad: Louisiana State University
Medical School: Louisiana State University
Why I chose CMC Psychiatry: I chose CMC Psychiatry because it had a small town feel in a big city, giving me the best of both worlds. I wanted to form close connections with my co-residents and the faculty while also getting exposed to a wide variety of clinical training sites and serving a diverse patient population. This program truly had everything I was looking for -- from the Eagle First Episode Psychosis Program to the ACT team to street medicine. I am also excited to explore Charlotte and all it has to offer!