Welcome to Our Residency Program

A Letter from the Program Director

Welcome to the UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate Psychiatry Residency Program! I am so glad you are considering psychiatry as your path, and I’m excited to share what makes our program a place where residents can truly thrive.

As an alumna of this residency, I know firsthand the impact that supportive mentors, diverse clinical experiences, and a collaborative learning environment can have on a physician’s growth. Training here shaped me into the psychiatrist I am today, and it is an incredible privilege to now serve as Program Director.

Our program is built around a simple but powerful idea: residents learn best in an environment where they feel supported, challenged, and included. You’ll find comprehensive clinical training across a wide range of settings, opportunities to engage in research and scholarship, and a didactic curriculum that goes beyond the basics. Just as important, you’ll find a community that values wellness, curiosity, and collaboration.

We are especially proud of our commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all residents. Our program values the perspectives and experiences that each trainee brings, and we strive to ensure that everyone feels respected, encouraged, and empowered to succeed—both as individuals and as future psychiatrists.

Choosing a residency is one of the most important decisions of your career. My hope is that, as you explore our program, you will see a community where you can learn, grow, and build lasting relationships—just as I did.

I look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to Baystate and to the extraordinary journey of becoming a psychiatrist.

Warm regards,

Deepika Sundararaj, MD
Program Director, Psychiatry Residency
UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate

A Letter from the Chief Residents

Welcome to the UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate Psychiatry Residency!

If you’re an applicant, we can’t wait to meet you, learn about your journey, and show you why Baystate Psychiatry is such a great place to train. If you’re a resident, well, you already know!

We are a fairly small residency, which translates to a close-knit group of folks who, without fail, show up for each other. We genuinely like one another, and this makes all the difference when going through an intense experience like residency. Aside from the social aspect, we are lucky to work with smart and caring attendings, who push us to develop into competent psychiatrists without sacrificing our wellbeing in the process. As PGY-4’s, we’ve experienced this process firsthand—both for ourselves as we get ready for independent practice, and for our fellow PGY-1, 2, and 3 classes, who are doing incredible things (seriously, just ask them about it)!

We’re honored to be your 2025-2026 Chief Residents, and to carry on the Baystate Psychiatry traditions of kindness, curiosity, and exceptional patient care.

If you have any questions about our program, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to connect.

Warmly,

Daniel Drimer, DO

Alice Peng, MD

Brianna Rowan, MD