The University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa Psychiatry Residency Program

We’re still making it feel like home but we couldn’t resist sharing a few photos of the newly remodeled Betty Shirley Clinic!

Health Matters is an ongoing educational series featuring physicians and providers from University Medical Center who share timely, relevant health information to help our community better understand important health topics.

In this episode, Dr. James Reeves, Program Director of The University of Alabama–Tuscaloosa Psychiatry Residency Program, explores the connection between mental health and physical health and why caring for one means caring for the other. He discusses how mental and physical well-being are closely linked and why a whole-person approach to health is so important.

Whether you're focused on improving your physical health, supporting your mental well-being, or both, this conversation offers valuable insights into how these two aspects of health work together.

🎥 Watch the full interview here:

Health Matters Web Extra | Dr. Jamie Reeves | Mental Health vs Physical Health Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Just a glimpse of what’s to come! The newly renovated Betty Shirley Clinic, home of The University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa Psychiatry Residency Program, is almost ready. We officially move in on Friday and can’t wait to show you more of our new home!

Happy July 1 to those that celebrate!

Last night, we had the honor of celebrating the arrival of our inaugural Psychiatry Residency class!  
 
Surrounded by UA leadership, community partners, and dedicated faculty and staff, the evening marked more than a welcome. It marked the beginning of something truly transformative for our institution and the communities we serve. 
 
We are beyond proud to officially welcome our first class and look forward to the impact they will make in the years ahead!

The first class of The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Psychiatry Residency Program completed their first day of orientation!

Dr. Christopher Lane is originally from Columbus, Georgia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Columbus State University before going on to complete his medical degree at Mercer University School of Medicine. 
 
Outside of medicine, Dr. Lane has a strong passion for the performing arts. A self-described “theater kid” since high school, he has continued to stay involved in community theater as an adult. His performances have spanned a wide range of productions—from classic, highbrow works like Shakespeare’s The Tempest to more unconventional and comedic productions such as Cannibal! The Musical.

Dr. Khatiwada is from Huntsville, Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Sociology and received her medical degree from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include child psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. 
 
Dr. Khatiwada enjoys traveling, exploring new countries, and meeting new people. She studied abroad twice—once in Athens and once in London—and continues to enjoy planning trips centered around great food and experiencing local cultures.

Dr. Jacob Thomas hails from Dallas, Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas, followed by his medical degree from McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Thomas has a special interest in child psychiatry, reflecting his passion for supporting the mental health and well-being of young patients. 
 
Fun Fact: Dr. Thomas once flew around the world in a single trip!

Dr. Reddy is from Flower Mound, TX. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physiology from Rice University and his medical degree from McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. His clinical interests include Sports Psychiatry. 
 
Dr. Reddy chose psychiatry because sports have been a major part of his life for as long as he can remember. While at Rice University, he studied kinesiology and spent three years working as a student athletic trainer with the Division I football team. These experiences initially drew him toward careers at the intersection of sports and medicine. Entering medical school, he gravitated toward fields such as Family Medicine and Orthopedics, which aligned closely with his background.  However, during his clinical rotations, he found that the patients who stayed with him the longest were not those with complex physical injuries, but those struggling with the emotional and psychological challenges that accompanied them. 
 
He became increasingly interested in how mental health influences recovery, resilience, identity, and overall well-being. These experiences ultimately led him to psychiatry, where he found a way to combine his longstanding interest in sports medicine with a growing fascination for the psychological aspects of recovery and performance. 
 
A fun fact about Dr. Reddy is that sports have played a significant role in his life, including participation in soccer, track and field, and six years of Taekwondo training, culminating in earning his black belt. While he no longer practices Taekwondo, it has left him with an (perhaps irrational) confidence in his ability to coach UFC fighters from his couch.