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Rob Oldham, M.D.
Current Role: PGY-4 Resident and Chief Resident
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Undergraduate Education: University of Virginia
Medical Education: University of Alabama, Birmingham
Background Information
I was one of the few who came to medical school knowing that I wanted to be a psychiatrist.
I have many interests outside of medicine, and psychiatry is the specialty that has most
contact with “the outside world”. I love working with real people, with all of their
vulnerabilities and resilience. I also try to pay close attention to the environment and
systems that impact the patient and the care he or she receives.
Interest in Psychiatry
Psychiatry gives me a unique opportunity to try to understand my patients on multiple levels
of complexity. The ambiguity that still exists in the field is also a great opportunity. I
like the idea that we haven’t figured everything out yet, and hope that I can play a small
part in advancing the way we think about people with mental illnesses.
Interest in VCU Residency
I think that the psychiatry residency training program at VCU offers a unique opportunity
for trainees to learn in a challenging, but safe environment. The diversity of clinical
experiences is virtually unmatched in its richness. We get to see lots of different patients
in a wide array of settings. Our outpatient clinics also offer a great environment that
encourages personal growth and experimentation. We are an international center for research
in biological psychiatry, yet the training program does still has a strong emphasis on
psychotherapy and the art of clinical practice. Resident research is not required, but there
are countless opportunities for research and just about any other possibility for those who
are so inclined.
For instance, I am very interested in mental health policy and administration, especially
within academic and community settings. As a resident, I have been fortunate enough to serve
as Chair of the Resident and Fellows Section (of the American Psychiatric Association), on
the Board of the Medical Society of Virginia, as Co-Chair of VCU Housestaff Council, and on
the VCU University Council. I have been able to take graduate courses at VCU’s prestigious
Department of Health Administration. I have also been named as a GlaxoSmithKline fellow
through the APA, and as a part of that program, I serve on the Council on Psychiatry and
Law. In addition, I try to keep active in community service and research work. I stay very
busy, but feel supported by my program and the great colleagues who surround me.
Future Plans
I am still undecided, but am considering fellowships in addiction and forensic
psychiatry. I am also interested in doing further training in psychodynamic psychotherapy
and in staying involved with mental health administration and policy in some capacity.
Other Comments
What is nicest about VCU Psychiatry is that all of these excellent
programs are tied together by a diverse array of fabulous people
and in a very friendly and comfortable work environment. I was
initially worried that VCU’s location in Richmond might be a
negative. On the contrary, my wife (who is from Southern California)
and I have fallen in love with this city. It has just about
every cultural opportunity you could need (everything else is
accessible with an easy weekend jaunt to DC), but in a very
manageable and affordable setting. We hope that you will consider
coming to join us!
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Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Dept of Psychiatry
Last Update: February, 2008 according to departmental policy
1200 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 980710, Richmond, VA 23298-0710
(804) 828-9157, Email Webmaster
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