Psychiatry
Residency Program
An ACGME-accredited four year program at Brain Health USA- Van Nuys. Training the next generation of psychiatristscommitted to health equity and compassionate care.
An ACGME-accredited four year programat Brain Health USA - Van Nuys. Trainingthe next generation of psychiatristscommitted to health equity andcompassionate care.
Transforming Mental Health Care Through Innovation and Compassion
Brain Health USA - Van Nuys is home to an ACGME-accredited four-year Psychiatry Residency Training Program which welcomed its inaugural class in 2025. Our goal is to train physicians who are not only clinically skilled but also committed to health equity, community engagement, and culturally sensitive care. We aim to maintain the highest standards of graduate medical education and look forward to making a lasting positive impact on mental health care in Los Angeles by producing physicians who can bring equitable and accessible mental health services to the communities that need it most.
About Brain Health USA
Brain Health USA is a provider of mental health services serving Los Angeles and communities across California and beyond. With over 50 locations and a network of psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, therapists, and peer clinicians, Brain Health USA strives to make quality care accessible to everyone seeking support.
A Message from Dr. Mota-Castillo
“ At Brain Health USA, we have long been committed to delivering quality care to the communities that need it most. Over the years, we have built a clinical network with the capacity to reach underserved populations at scale.
Our residency program is a direct extension of that work, training physicians within the communities they will serve, not apart from them. Our residents learn alongside seasoned clinicians, seeing firsthand what communities need and building the skills to respond.
This program carries the full backing of our leadership and the infrastructure of a strong clinical network. We are dedicated to expanding graduate medical education and training the next generation to serve the communities that need them most.”
About the Brain Health USA Van Nuys Psychiatry Residency Program
Step into a transformative psychiatry residency program based in one of Los Angeles’ largest outpatient behavioral health networks. Our residents gain diverse clinical exposure across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings while serving the populations that need it most. Explore the depths of psychiatry with us, apply now.
Mission
The mission of the Brain Health USA - Van Nuys Psychiatry Residency Program is to provide high-quality education in the field of psychiatry. This program combines diverse clinical exposures, comprehensive approaches to patient care, and research to ensure our graduates are proficient and ready to serve the Los Angeles community. We provide residents with the education, supervision, and systematic assessments required for them to become knowledgeable psychiatrists and medical leaders in the community, while also preparing them for board certification with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).
Welcome Letter
“ Thank you for considering the Brain Health USA Van Nuys Psychiatry Residency Program. We are a mission-driven, community-focused program committed to providing high-quality education in the field of psychiatry.
The psychiatry residency curriculum is structured to support progressive clinical development across four years. PGY-1 focuses on building strong fundamentals in medicine, neurology, and psychiatry through structured orientation with rotations in primary care (4 months), inpatient psychiatry (4 months), emergency psychiatry (2 months), and neurology (2 months), allowing interns to gain experience managing acute psychiatric presentations, conducting evaluations, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and developing foundational clinical confidence.
PGY-2 emphasizes on expanding psychiatric expertise and increasing responsibility through rotations in consultation-liaison psychiatry (2 months), inpatient forensic psychiatry (2 months), addiction psychiatry (3 months), community psychiatry (1 month), child and adolescent psychiatry (3 months), and geriatric psychiatry (1 month), during which residents deepen diagnostic skills, advance psychiatric interviewing techniques, and build foundations across multiple subspecialties.
PGY-3 is dedicated entirely to outpatient care, where residents serve diverse populations and refine their skills in psychiatric assessment, therapy, and medication management. PGY-4 centers on professional growth and individualized training, including two months of administrative psychiatry and ten months of electives, enabling residents to pursue their interest.
Our program fosters a collaborative environment where residents feel supported both professionally and personally. We are honored to meet you. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. ”
Training Sites
Serving Our Community
Resident training takes place across multiple affiliated sites and gives residents experience with a wide range of patients and clinical settings, including but not limited to
Pacifica Hospital of the Valley
This safety-net hospital serves as a core inpatient psychiatry training site for residents managing adults with acute psychiatric illness. Clinical experiences include diagnostic evaluation, psychopharmacologic management, and interdisciplinary treatment planning.
Brain Health – Van Nuys
This site serves as an outpatient psychiatry training location, where residents will provide longitudinal psychiatric care. Residents will manage patients and develop competencies in medication management, psychotherapy, and continuity of care.
Brain Health – Gardena
This site serves as a community-centered environment, where residents will provide care to diverse and underserved populations. Training emphasizes culturally informed psychiatric assessment, treatment planning, and the development of culturally attuned approaches to mental health.
Brain Health USA - DMH
This site serves as a field-based training location through Brain Health USA's collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Residents may elect to receive intensive field training, gaining exposure to a range of clinical presentations and coordination with community stakeholders.
Curriculum
The curriculum provides a broad foundation of knowledge and skills, with increasing responsibility as residents progress. Residents gain exposure to Primary Care and Neurology, as well as Psychiatry in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Subspecialty rotations include Forensic, Addiction, Geriatric, Community, Administrative, Consultation-Liaison, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
PGY-1 focuses on building strong fundamentals in medicine and psychiatry. Interns receive structured orientation and support as they transition into residency. Interns gain experience managing acute psychiatric presentations, performing evaluations and developing foundational clinical confidence.
- Inpatient Psychiatry 4 months
- Primary Care 4 months
- Neurology 2 months
- Emergency Psychiatry 2 months
Residents expand their psychiatric expertise while taking on greater responsibility. PGY-2 residents deepen diagnostic skills, learn advanced psychiatric interviewing, practice psychotherapy foundations, and work across a wide array of subspecialty psychiatry disciplines.
- Inpatient Psychiatry + Forensics 2 months
- Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2 months
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 3 months
- Addiction Psychiatry 3 months
- Community Psychiatry 1 month
- Geriatric Psychiatry 1 month
Residents spend the entire year in outpatient clinics at Brain Health USA where they will provide longitudinal care, manage both therapy and medication cases, treat diverse populations, and refine psychotherapy skills (CBT, DBT, supportive therapy).
- Outpatient Psychiatry 12 months
The final year focuses on professional development and individualized training. Residents may pursue leadership roles, quality improvement projects, teaching opportunities, research involvement, and additional specialty training in preparation for independent practice.
- Elective Subspecialty Rotations 10 months
- Administrative Psychiatry 2 months
Didactics & Educational Curriculum
Weekly protected didactics ensure well-rounded clinical and academic development. Lecture topics and activities include but are not limited to psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, journal club, grand rounds, case conference, neuroscience, cultural psychiatry, diversity, ethics, professionalism, emergency psychiatry, crisis intervention, board review.
Research & Scholarly Activity
Each resident is paired with a faculty research mentor and is required to complete a scholarly project. Residents may explore any area of scholarly interest in Psychiatry. The program actively encourages research and offers funding for residents to present their work at regional and national conferences. Topics of interest include:
- Community Mental Health: Health equity research and population-level outcomes
- Crisis Intervention: Mobile outreach models and emergency psychiatry
- Cultural Psychiatry: Treatment disparities and culturally informed care
- Quality Improvement: Enabling system-based change to enhance patient outcomes and optimize clinical workflows
Salary & Benefits
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits to support you throughout your training.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for all residents.
- Four (4) weeks of paid vacation annually.
- Vacation must be scheduled in advance with Program Director approval.
- Residents receive paid sick leave in accordance with institutional policy.
- Up to six (6) weeks of paid medical, parental, or caregiver leave available when needed for personal illness or caregiving.
- Protected didactic time, access to medical library, and institutional learning resources.
- Eligibility for educational leave (CME days).
- Coverage for required institutional training and online learning resources.
- Full professional liability coverage for all training-related activities.
- Includes coverage for all participating sites and clinical duties with no cost to the residents.
- Meal stipend reimbursement for residents during overnight shifts or call duties.
- Access to well-being programs, counseling, and support resources.
- Confidential assistance available for residents.
Resident Well-Being
Resident well-being is a core value of our program. We provide education on fatigue mitigation, access to counseling, supportive supervision, and a collaborative culture that encourages open communication. The Program provides access to confidential, affordable mental health assessment, counseling, and treatment.
Mental Health Support
Confidential counseling, mental health assessment, and employee assistance programs available to all residents.
Community & Connection
Regular social outings, team dinners, and group activities that build lasting bonds beyond the clinical setting.
Comfortable Facilities
Modern resident lounge and workspaces designed for study, relaxation, and collaboration between shifts.
How to Apply
We welcome applications through ERAS. Review our eligibility requirements and required documents below.
ERAS Program Code
Apply using the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS).
Go to ERAS SiteRequired Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Personal Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Medical School Transcripts
- USMLE or COMLEX Score Reports
Eligibility Requirements
- Graduation from an LCME-accredited US or Canadian medical school
- OR Graduation from an AOA-accredited College of Osteopathic Medicine
- OR International graduates with valid ECFMG certificate
- Passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (or COMLEX equivalent)
- Meet eligibility criteria defined by ACGME requirements
Faculty
Our faculty are experienced clinicians committed to teaching, mentorship, and the professional growth of every resident. Residents work directly with faculty throughout their training, in clinical rotations, didactic instruction, and on scholarly activity. The program maintains a strong faculty-to-resident ratio, ensuring close supervision and individualized mentorship across all training sites.
Wakelin McNeel III, M.D.
Program Director
Salisu Aikoye, M.D., MPH
Eric Steckler, M.D.
Gregory McGowan, M.D.
Matthew Macaluso, M.D.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Once an applicant has been extended an offer to attend the BHUVN residency program, they will be required to meet certain pre-employment requirements prior to the start of the academic year. All requirements must be completed one week prior to orientation.
- 1 Signing a one-year contract to train with BHUVN
- 2 A pre-employment physical examination
- 3 A pre-employment drug test examination
- 4 A Department of Justice background check including LiveScan submission of fingerprints
- 5 Verification of any previous residency training, medical school training, licensure, or other credentials
- 6 Valid BLS Certification
- 7 Valid ACLS Certification
Applicants who are accepted will need to arrive at BHUVN at least 30 days prior to the start of orientation to complete the pre-employment physical examination and background check. Applicants who have not completed all pre-employment requirements one week prior to orientation may not be permitted to participate in orientation activities. The Academic Year begins on July 1st. Mandatory orientation including BHUVN New Employee Orientation, GME Orientation, and Program Specific Orientation takes place one week prior to July 1st. Trainees are paid for all time spent on orientation activities.
Contact Us
Learn more about the Brain Health USA Van Nuys Psychiatry Residency Program. We're excited to connect!
Prospective Residents
Applications to the Psychiatry Residency Program are accepted through ERAS®. For application related inquiries, please contact us at:
Residentinquiries@brainhealthusa.comFaculty
If you're interested in a faculty role and considering joining our team, we'd love to hear from you, please email:
Facultyinquiries@brainhealthusa.com