Psychiatry Banquet 2025 - Baptist Health UAMS GME

Psychiatry residents gather at their end of year banquet for a photo.

The BH-UAMS Psychiatry Residency program hosted their 2025 Year-End Banquet on Saturday, June 7th, at Brave New Restaurant in Little Rock. Psychiatry residents, faculty, and staff gathered for an evening to celebrate graduating residents and residents moving into fellowship opportunities.

Psychiatry Program Director, Dr. Prasad Padala, began the evening with a few words of praise and appreciation for the psychiatry residents in attendance, along with recognition for the program’s faculty and staff. Following, Dr. Rajesh R Tampi, tenured professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, among other accolades, attended the ceremony to give a speech about being successful in psychiatry. He emphasized the importance of being a good person, and how to incorporate the ideals of being a good person into their practice as psychiatrists.

Dr. Femy Varghese receives the Intern of the Year award from Dr. Agud and Dr. Padala. — Dr. Femy Varghese, PGY1 – Intern of the Year

Dr. Brittany Griffin receives the Resident Educator award from Dr. Agud and Dr. Padala — Dr. Brittany Griffin, PGY4 – Resident Educator Award

Many awards were presented to residents and faculty alike. Two graduating PGY4 residents were presented with awards: Dr. Brittany Griffin received the Resident Educator award, and Dr. Mouad Abdulrahim received the Patient Care award. Dr. Sahil Kapoor, PGY2, was awarded the Scholarly Activity award, while Dr. Kristina Kennedy, PGY3, received the Spirit of the Residency award. PGY3 Dr. Michael Hower received the PRITE award, and Dr. Femy Varghese, PGY1, was recognized as Intern of the Year. As for faculty awards, Dr. Taylor Pahls was given the Outstanding Teacher Award, while Dr. Holly Agud was awarded the Outstanding Scholarship award.

Dr. Victoria Davis, Dr. Agud, Dr. Padala, and Dr. Tampi pose for a photo. — Dr. Victoria Davis, PGY4, Graduate

The ceremony recognized not only the graduating PGY4s, but select other residents that are moving forward in fellowship programs. All graduates are planning to practice inside the state of Arkansas, with Dr. Brittany Griffin joining the faculty here at BH-NLR, Dr. Victoria Davis joining Baptist Health in Malvern, and Dr. Mouad Abdulrahim joining Vantage Point in Northwest Arkansas. PGY3, Dr. Alexander Malati, who was also recognized for his service as chief resident over the past year, has been accepted into the Child & Adolescent fellowship program at UAMS in Little Rock. Dr. Vismaya Joseph, PGY3, will be joining the Child & Adolescent fellowship program at UT Southwestern, as well.

Dr. Alex Malati, Dr. Padala, Dr. Agud, and Dr. Tampi pose for a photo. — Dr. Alexander Malati, PGY3, Chief Resident – UAMS C&A Fellowship

Celebrating the end of a residency year, and the accomplishments of graduating residents, the Psychiatry program hosted a beautiful banquet, full of joy and excitement for the future. The entire GME team wishes the best for all residents moving forward in their journey as physicians!