Department Contact:

Cheryl S. Al-Mateen, MD, F.A.A.C.A.P., D.F.A.P.A.
Psychiatry Clerkship Director
Chair, Education Committee, Center on Healthcare Disparities
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Phone: (804) 828-3129 Fax: (804) 828-3504
E-Mail: CALMateen@mcvh-vcu.edu

Additional Information:

African-Americans comprise over 50% of the Richmond population, and 18-25% of the surrounding counties. There are 4 HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in the Richmond-Petersburg-Tidewater area (Virginia Union, Virginia State, Norfolk State, and Hampton Universities). The Hampton Jazz Festival, the Capital City Kwanzaa Festival and the “2 Street” Festival in historic Jackson-Ward are annual events that draw large crowds. Local landmarks such as the Maggie Walker National Historic Site, the Arthur Ashe Memorial and the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson statue are links to Richmond’s historic past. We have a Black History museum as well as other cultural landmarks. The weekly newspaper directed to the African-American population is the Richmond Free Press. Cultural organizations include the Elegba Folklore Society, the Richmond Jazz Society and The Living Word Stage Company, which is in its fifth full theatrical season. The Richmond Medical Society is the local branch of the National Medical Association, and meets monthly, with an annual formal dinner-dance in December. The School of Medicine has an active Minority Affairs Advisory Board, which helps provide networking with members of underrepresented minorities in medicine as well as other groups.

Department Contact:

Maria Angela Catolico, M.D.
Staff Psychiatrist
Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
VCU School of Medicine
(804) 768-7202

Additional Information:

The Asian-American population in Virginia has been steadily rising over the past few years. There are more than 30,000 Asian Americans, representing more than a dozen nationalities, currently in the Richmond region. The following are some of the nationalities represented in Central Virginia: Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, Laotian, Pakistani, Thai, Vietnamese, families of the China moon and Sri Lankan. Each of these groups takes part in Richmond's cultural activities, which highlight the area's diverse and ever-expanding community. Every year, there are multiple individual events - celebrations, food festivals, exhibits, dance recitals, art shows - that showcase each culture's specialties and traditions. There are also religious centers, cultural organizations, and ethnic restaurants representing most of these nationalities. The broad Asian American community has been strengthened by the establishment of the Asian American Society of Central Virginia in 1988. More information can be obtained at their website at www.aasocv.org.

Department Contact:

Shelly Klinger, M.D.
Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
PO Box 155
Rockville, VA 23146
Phone: (804) 749-8182
E-mail: rochelle_klinger@yahoo.com

Additional Information:

The Richmond metropolitan area has an active GLBT community. Political activities are coordinated through Equality Virginia (www.equalityvirginia.org), and there is ample opportunity to be involved in statewide politics, with Richmond being the capital of the state. Virginia Commonwealth University has an active GLBT community, with many openly gay faculty and students. The Richmond Metro area has many lesbian and gay social, political and religious groups available for various interests and situations. Please check the Equality Virginia web site noted above and click on “Virginia Resources” to access up to date information on activities and organizations. Feel free to email or call me as well.

Department Contact:

Leslie Kryzanowski, M..D.
Tucker Psychiatric Clinic, Inc.
1807 Libbie Ave. Suite 206
Richmond, VA, 23226
Phone: (804) 282-8377
E-mail: Rheafamily@comcast.net

Additional Information:

The Hispanic population in the Richmond area continues to grow at a rapid rate. People are coming from many different countries in Latin America, bringing with them their unique cultural influences. We now have cultural events geared towards the Spanish speaking population, including festivals downtown, The Latin Ballet of Richmond, a Spanish newspaper called “El Sol De Virginia”, an AM radio station, and several TV channels. Social Services to help the local Hispanic population are still emerging. Hispanic patients usually rely for their medical services on Spanish-speaking physicians in the private sector, of which fortunately we do have many. Visitors and immigrants may also use available translators until their English becomes more proficient. Non-profit organizations like Catholic Charities have several programs to help this population also.

Department Contacts:

Asha S. Mishra, MD, DFAPA
Medical Director, Chesterfield County Mental Health
Professor of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUHS)
President, Indo American Psychiatric Association (IAPA)
Phone: (804) 768 7202 or (804) 828 9452
E-mail: mishraA@chesterfield.gov

Aradhana Bela Sood, M.D., M.S.H.A., F.A.A.C.A.P.
Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Chair, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Medical Director, Virginia Treatment Center for Children
Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems
Phone: (804) 828-4058 Fax: (804) 827-3731
E-mail: bsood@hsc.vcu.edu

Additional Information:

The Richmond Metropolitan area is a diverse, vibrant and growing community. It boasts more than 4000 families from the Indian sub continent. The community is rich in its diversity, with people from all the different walks of life and faith being represented. The community has a Hindu Temple, two Gurudwaras, and a Cultural Center of India. Additionally the Indian Christian community and the Islamic Community have their own places of worship and fellowship. Annually the city holds a Festival of India, Punjabi Mela, Taste of India and also participates in the Asian American festival. There are frequent dramas, musical and dance recitals by visiting artists. The India Association of VA and VCU holds celebrations to mark important holidays and celebrations like Independence Day, Republic Day, Children's Day, graduation of the kids of the community along with frequent camping trips, cricket matches, antaksharis and fund raisers in times of natural disasters. There are currently 10 Indian restaurants, 6 Indian grocery stores, 2 boutiques, a few hair salons, a jewelry store, a few dance and music academies that cater to ethnic styles.

Department Contact:

Neil Sonenklar, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Virginia Commonwealth University
Phone: (804) 828-3129 Fax: (804) 828-3504
E-mail: nsonenkl@hsc.vcu.edu

Additional Information:

Richmond has an active and diverse Jewish communal life. There are approximately 14,000 Jewish citizens of the greater metropolitan area. Local Jewish history dates back to the colonial period; Marcus Elcam was the first documented Jewish settler, who came here in 1746 to open a dry goods business. KK Beth Shalome was the sixth Jewish synagogue to be founded in the US, and opened in 1789.

Today we have a newly renovated JCC, two Hebrew Day Schools and a Yeshiva. Richmond houses an outstanding historical collection at the Beth Ahabah Jewish Archives and Museum. There is a meaningful Virginia Holocaust Museum in the city and an active Jewish Federation. The Beth Shalom Home for the Aged offers multi-level facilities, and is considered a model of excellent care.

There are several congregations in the city: two each of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox, plus a Chabad Lubavitch Center. Kosher products and meat are available locally. There are many activities for Jewish young adults that range from social to community service activities. Jewish Virginians are actively involved in state and national government affairs.

The Maimonides Society is an active affinity group of Jewish health care professionals who meet regularly to discuss medicine, ethics, and Judaism. They become involved in various philanthropic and international activities.

Appropriate accommodations are made for religious observance in our department. There is a strong Jewish representation among the leadership of the Academic Medical Center in addition to a medical campus Jewish support group for medical students, residents, and faculty. VCU is the major supporter of the JCC Forum which brings distinguished speakers to the area.

Additional Information:

The eight Native American tribes recognized by the Virginia legislature continue to pursue Federal recognition. As we enter the 400th “Jamestown Anniversary” year, marking the British arrival in 1607, Native Americans will have a variety of presentations and educational commentaries on their role in this region’s history. One recent event, the “Virginia Indians: 400 Years of Survival” conference, was held on Thursday, October 5 at the Williamsburg Lodge; it featured representatives from Virginia’s eight state-recognized tribes as well as nationally known speakers and dignitaries. The conference included panel discussions on “Indian Law and Culture Through History,” “Government Policy as it Relates to American Indians,” and “Preserving History and Culture.”