Welcome to the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa! As chief residents, we would like to introduce you to our program. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about the opportunities that make our program special.
Our department was founded in 1920 and has a longstanding tradition of excellence. Residents receive outstanding training through a combination of diverse clinical experiences, a comprehensive educational curriculum taught by expert faculty, and abundant opportunities for research. These elements are enhanced by a supportive learning environment and strong camaraderie among residents, fellows, and faculty, as well as administrators and support staff.
In addition to our four-year categorical psychiatry residency program, we have combined training programs in Internal Medicine-Psychiatry and Family Medicine-Psychiatry, along with multiple fellowships.
Our clinical training occurs primarily at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center – a tertiary care center which receives patient referrals from across Iowa as well as neighboring states. We also train at the Iowa City VA Medical Center and a variety of other community clinics.
We treat a diverse patient population with a wide range of psychiatric conditions. In addition to our general inpatient units, more unique services include a combined medicine-psychiatric unit, a geriatric unit, a crisis stabilization unit, and a unit for child and adolescent patients. Rotations on our interventional (ECT, TMS, Ketamine), substance use disorder, and consult-liaison services are routinely among the most highly rated educational experiences. Senior residents have opportunities to choose from a wide array of elective opportunities.
Iowa City is routinely ranked highly among the best places to live. It is a vibrant university town that offers a variety of cultural activities, outdoor festivals, restaurants, theater, night life, sporting events, and outdoor recreation. The area is family-friendly, with excellent school systems and activities for all ages.
We’d love to have you come visit our program and hope that you’ll consider the University of Iowa for the next step in your career!
Amanda Benavides Mostek, MD, PhD
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Undergraduate School: St. Mary’s University
Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience
Professional Interests: Reproductive psychiatry/women’s mental health, interventional psychiatry, physician-scientist training program, with research interest in neuroimaging for those at risk for neuropsychiatric disorders
Personal Interests: Home improvement projects, photo organizing, Reality TV shows, Zumba, Pilates, spending time with all my nieces & nephews (I have 9!)
Why University of Iowa Psychiatry Residency Program?
I chose to continue my training here at Iowa due to the collaborative culture that is a hallmark of our institution, which I’ve personally seen in all areas of my training – including research, clinical, & leadership areas. We also get to train alongside our combined Family Medicine-Psychiatry & Internal Medicine-Psychiatry residents, who enrich our learning experiences. I have had so many opportunities for leadership roles, both at the institutional, state, & national level (APA fellowship) during my training, and our program really encourages and supports us participating in these. Our diverse training program has provided me with such a broad range of experiences in psychiatry with various specialty clinics & elective opportunities – both within our academic institution, but also in the community/rural setting. Finally, our program leadership continues to show that they will support each of our residents’ individual career and professional interests and will tailor our training experiences towards these personal aspirations, which is invaluable during residency training!
Brooke Olson, MD
Hometown: New London, Wisconsin
Undergraduate School: Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH)
Professional Interests: Rural Mental Health, Community and Public Psychiatry, SPMI, Organized Medicine, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Baking, Gardening, International Travel, Hiking, Nature Photography (Playing with Joe's dog Vino, bickering about football with Amanda's husband LOL)
Why University of Iowa Psychiatry Residency Program?
I chose the University of Iowa due to the diversity of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric experiences that are available through the residency that are not available at other residency programs. Even with specialized training opportunities at UIHC, I am able to go to community centers and rural areas to gain experiences in housing first apartments, FQHCs, CCBHCs, and various outreach programs while having the perks of training in an academic center and the safety net hospital of Iowa. We are trained with residents in combined training programs (Family Medicine- Psychiatry and Internal Medicine- Psychiatry) which promotes an environment of learning and support between medical specialties.
Joseph Rattenni, DO
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
Undergraduate School: University of Delaware
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Community Medicine / Psychiatry, Forensics, Psychotherapy / Psychoanalytics, Social Determinates of Health
Personal Interests: Soccer, Music, Theoretical Physics, Reading / Literature, Quotes
Why University of Iowa Psychiatry Residency Program?
There are several reasons - both professional & personal - I chose Iowa, apart from my interest in the combined family medicine-psychiatry training. Psychiatry at the University of Iowa is recognized by mental health specialists as a having a very prestigious history. Some of the giants in the field of psychiatry have worked and produced research here which still permeates the profession to modern day. Those great minds have cultivated a culture of intellectualism, camaraderie, community service which is particularly unique, and you will experience that culture during your training. The University of Iowa has an integral part in shaping the social, political, and cultural landscape of Iowa City. From the fine arts and the humanities to sports and live entertainment; from political demonstrations and community gatherings to advocacy opportunities and outdoor activities, Iowa City attracts individuals from all walks of life and can accommodate the interests of almost anyone. There is a sense of community integrated into Iowa City and its inhabitants that feels particularly sentimental & is difficult to emulate. That culture makes the transition to residency seamless and makes living in Iowa City feel like home when it is most needed. The Psychiatry program at the University of Iowa has so much to offer. You will graduate from here a very well-trained psychiatrist, and find some very fond memories have been made along the way.