Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship

As a recent graduate of the Virginia Tech Carilion Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, I can wholeheartedly say that my time in the program was the most rewarding and transformative two years of my professional career. The program’s foundation lies not just in excellence in clinical care but in the relationships formed with your attendings, who are not only incredibly skilled but also deeply invested in your growth as a clinician and a person. The support from the attendings is truly unparalleled—they are mentors, teachers, and colleagues, always available for guidance and encouragement.

One of the most special aspects of this fellowship is the close-knit, collaborative environment. The attendings create an atmosphere where you feel like part of a team, where your opinions are valued, and where you can approach them with questions or for mentorship at any time. It’s a unique environment where learning and support happen organically, and the open-door policy fosters both professional and personal growth.

The setting itself is also a huge draw. As a native Southwest Virginian, I am entirely biased, but the Appalachian Mountains are majestic. The fellowship program allows you to experience beautiful nature, outdoor recreational activities, the charm of a close-knit community, and many of the major amenities one would want from a larger metropolitan area. The serene environment gives you a chance to reflect and recharge, which is so important when you’re working with children and families facing complex challenges. The setting naturally fosters a strong sense of community, which extends into the program itself.

What I believe truly sets this fellowship apart, however, is the breadth of experience it provides in treating children in a variety of settings. The program is designed to immerse fellows in every environment where a child psychiatrist might work, from inpatient to outpatient care, school settings, juvenile justice systems, primary care consultations, and community mental health environments. This comprehensive training prepares you for a wide array of challenges, giving you the tools to work with diverse populations and in various clinical settings.  You’ll have the opportunity to see children and families from many walks of life, and your ability to adapt and provide effective, individualized care will grow exponentially. As a child psychiatrist, now practicing in a large metropolitan city, those foundational experiences have directly contributed to my success today.

The program places a strong emphasis on evidence-based treatment, which means you are consistently exposed to the latest research and best practices in child psychiatry. The didactic curriculum is rigorous, but fun and incredibly rewarding. Weekly educational seminars cover a wide array of topics—from the latest evidence-based treatments to developmental and social influences on child and adolescent mental health—ensuring that you’re always learning and growing.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of the fellowship is the scholarly focus that’s woven throughout the program. You will have time and support to engage in research, and the program encourages fellows to pursue areas of academic interest.  The mentorship you’ll receive in this area is phenomenal—whether it’s for research projects, academic presentations, or preparing for board exams, the program supports you every step of the way. Even as someone who was not heavily interested in research, I was involved in the completion of several peer reviewed publications. 

If you’re looking for a program that provides exceptional clinical training, a beautiful environment, a supportive team, and the chance to make meaningful connections with both mentors and peers, this is the place for you. The fellowship will not only shape you into a highly skilled and compassionate child and adolescent psychiatrist but also provide you with experiences that will stay with you throughout your career.

I am a graduate of Virginia Tech Carilion’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, class of 2023. Throughout my training, I have had the privilege to train at a variety of institutions and several programs; however, my favorite years of training will always be my fellowship program. 

When I was looking for a program, one priority for me was returning to my home state of Virginia. I was ecstatic to be accepted to this program, and pleased to find that the Appalachian Hospitality I had grown up with was alive and present in this fellowship. The faculty at Carilion are not only knowledgeable, but they are compassionate people who strive to transform the trainees under their tutelage into pillars of the psychiatric community. Practicing compassionate, inclusive, and evidence-based treatment is at the forefront of this program. At the same time, they encourage self-care and a good work/life balance. This is easy to accomplish in the Roanoke Valley, as this area is one of the most beautiful areas of the country with plenty of walking trails, parks, and recreational activities.

I can honestly say I loved every minute of my program, and that I gained amazing mentors, that I can still call on to this day. However, I do believe the true test of a program is in how well it has prepared you for independent medical practice. I am now an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatrist in my hometown. I have been able to bring care back to my home, which has always been a dream of mine. Despite the natural anxieties that come with moving into becoming an attending, I have found myself well prepared. Our program includes time in developmental pediatrics, general pediatrics, neurology, the public school system, and the juvenile justice system. These rotations have made me well equipped to identify early signs of autism, to treat ADHD, to help parents navigate the IEP process, or obtain a CHINS petition. I am now the sole child psychiatrist for over eight counties in Virginia, but I don’t feel alone because I know that I can reach back to any of my attendings at any time (and I have!)

I cannot recommend this program enough. I truly believe anyone who takes full advantage of what Carilion has to offer will become a well-rounded and compassionate Child psychiatrist.

Sincerely,

Jessica Elliott D.O.

I was a resident at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic and fast-tracked into the Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship program. Over the last 5 years, our fellowship program has experienced many positive changes that have made my stay here a very enjoyable and productive one.

Our director, Dr. Felicity Adams, is one of the most supportive directors I ever had and is a very nice person. I can contact her at any time, and she is always open to feedback/suggestions.

Dr. Wilson is excellent at helping people get their research projects established and published. In my experience, all the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry staff have been very approachable and can be reached easily as well.

Our program is quite literally connected with the community and is well respected. I can't tell you how many times I have been told how important our job is in this area. I also have been encouraged by my preceptors to be heavily involved with AACAP. Our proximity to Washington, D.C., a local Amtrak train station, and our convenient regional airport makes it easy to attend the annual AACAP conference and AACAP advocacy legislative conference.

There is a good quality of life in Roanoke. There is an active movement towards improving the health of the city, which includes expanding the parkways, increasing access to organic foods and expanding community fitness programs.

I run half-marathons and focus on living healthier because I live here. Before, I could run maybe 3 miles max, and used to hate it, but now, I find running to be one of my favorite activities as the community programs have allowed me to meet many people in the community. We have the "Toughest Road Marathon" known as the "Blue Ridge Marathon" right in our own backyard. I recommend people living here run it at least once just to say they did it.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is also easily accessible and there are many gorgeous places to hike or kayak within short driving/walking distance. There are many festivals during the non-winter months. We also have a vibrant salsa dancing community called "Salsa Noke," with some very good dancers willing to teach others how to dance.

Our mindfulness/meditation/yoga community is continuing to grow and incorporate itself into the hospital and community. I can go on and on about the various surprises that are in Roanoke (e.g., the world's largest Magic the Gathering card gaming store is in Roanoke and hosts some very well attended FNM/pre-release/standard showdown events that have people driving 3 hours away to come here). 

I want to say that living in Roanoke is a wonderful experience and the structure of the community allowed me to make more friends from different walks of life than anywhere else I have been.

Richard D. Ha
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic
PGY-5 Psychiatry Fellow