Current Residents
Jacob Givens, MD
Lead chief resident, 2022-2026
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Why UNMC? I cannot wait to give back to a community that has given me so much during my educational journey in medical school and now residency. Getting the opportunity to work in a community mental health clinic really was a rewarding experience. As my third-year rotations went on, I found myself gravitating toward patients with psychiatric diagnoses on other services, often finding those patient encounters more rewarding and fulfilling. On top of all of that, the public health aspect of psychiatry really interests me, and I feel my future advocacy work, especially surrounding LGBTQIA+ mental health, would be achievable in psychiatry.
George Blankenau, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2022-2026
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Why UNMC? I remember working the UNMC Psychiatry Shadowing Clinic. The first patient had severe anxiety which had kept them from obtaining a driver’s license, finding a job, and completing their GED. After interviewing the patient and presenting them, the psychiatrist and I returned to see the patient together. Within five minutes of talking, the patient opened up to the psychiatrist and informed them of a history of trauma that was very relevant to their treatment, and which I had missed. I was impressed by how the psychiatrist’s ability to build trust with the patient had improved their care, and I knew that I wanted to learn that skill.
Harrison Greene, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2022-2026
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Why UNMC? I’m excited to be staying here to continue my training. I had fantastic experiences with the psychiatry faculty and residents as a medical student, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work alongside them as a resident. Furthermore, Omaha is a great city to live in and I’ll appreciate staying close to family and friends.
Casey Reihe, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2022-2026
University of South Dakota
Why UNMC? I grew up in South Dakota, and my wife is from Nebraska. We both love the Midwest, so naturally we were happy to move to Omaha. The city is full of things to do and places to eat, and the people are great. Since it’s so affordable here we bought a house, and we couldn’t have asked for better neighbors. The UNMC community is just as wonderful. The faculty and staff prioritize wellness and education, and their ability to teach effectively is impressive. I legitimately look forward to waking up each day to continue my residency training here.
Mukanya Tchombela, DO
Psychiatry resident, 2022-2026
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why UNMC? I was always interested in understanding human behavior and in trying to figure out why people do the things they do. As a child, I would spend countless hours alone in my head trying to process my own feelings, and I would always feel relieved after figuring out what was causing my distress. Overall, I have always been interested in learning about human behavior, and I hope someday I would gain the tools to help modify it to improve quality of life both on an individual and societal level.
Charlotte Ritchie, MD
Junior Chief resident, 2023-2027
Creighton University
Why UNMC? I first moved to Omaha for medical school in 2019. Moving to the Midwest from the Pacific Northwest was definitely a change for me, but I have come to enjoy everything that Omaha has to offer. It has been especially exciting to see the new ways that the city has changed and expanded over the past several years. Additionally, I participated in the couple's match and it truly stood out to me how communicative and supportive the faculty in both departments were during the interview season. Since UNMC Psychiatry is a relatively new program, I am eager to witness its development and even be a part of the program's growth over the next four years.
Keisha England, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2023-2027
University of Kansas
Why UNMC? I chose UNMC because of the department's dedication to the wellness of their residents. The administration is adamant about us using all our vacation time and making sure we have time to take care of ourselves. Residency is hard but having the department behind you advocating for your well-being is so valuable. The people here really care about me as a person and truly want me to be successful in my field. The support is exactly what I need in my first year and I am thankful to have matched here.
Monica Nava Frenier, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2023-2027
University of Illinois, Chicago
Why UNMC? I knew this program prioritized resident wellness just as much as providing a rigorous and engaging curriculum for Psychiatry residents. Additionally, Omaha is a great place to serve the underserved, especially those of Latinx descent, which is a passion of mine. Lastly, I chose UNMC because it is close to home and being close to family is very important to me.
Christian Pollema, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2023-2027
University of South Dakota
Why UNMC? Born and raised in the Midwest, I couldn't be happier to be continuing my training at UNMC. I frequently visited Omaha while growing up, and I am proud to now be able to call this city home. I was drawn to UNMC by the leadership's emphasis on wellness and professional development in their learners. Now that I'm here, I can attest to the program's commitment to ensuring residents are afforded ample opportunities to explore the many facets of psychiatry. It is evident that despite being a newer program, our faculty strives to ensure residents are offered all of the experiences necessary to achieve their career goals. All of the faculty and residents have been so welcoming, supportive, and genuinely fun to be around. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this community and can't wait to see what the next four years hold!
Claire Stavenga, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2023-2027
American University of the Caribbean
Why UNMC? I chose UNMC Psychiatry because of the program's commitment to resident wellness and professional mentorship.
Brittany Bamberg, MD
Resident, 2024-2028
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
Why UNMC? I graduated from medical school in South Dakota, and I was looking for a program with a similar smaller feel. I feel like at UNMC I can learn well in a comfortable environment
Jacob Dines, DO
Psychiatry resident, 2024-2028
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why UNMC? I chose UNMC because it felt like family from the start. During my interview, I was welcomed warmly, and I could see the leadership and residents were happy and enthusiastic about the program. The leadership genuinely cares about our well-being and growth, both professionally and personally, and they're committed to improving the program by considering all viewpoints and continuously seeking feedback. After moving around the country with the military for the last decade, it's great to be back in the Midwest. Omaha's affordable, has amazing food, and has a down-to-earth vibe.
Brett Jesse, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2024-2028
University of Nebraska
Why UNMC? I chose UNMC for the people. Having gone to medical school here I got to know many faculty and leaders, all of whom are passionate, intelligent, personable, and caring. The program emphasizes and facilitates mentorship and professional development, ensuring residents are connected, well-rounded, and prepared to enter independent practice as psychiatrists. UNMC is a program that values residents, continually supporting our growth, happiness, and goals.
Tony Le, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2024-2028
University of Nebraska
Why UNMC? I chose UNMC due to the great faculty who place an importance on mentorship with a commitment to career development. I went to medical school here and saw how faculty and leadership placed an emphasis on making sure residents are trained well but still have opportunities to pursue the things that are important to them professionally and personally. Residents are treated as colleagues and not as work horses, and our input and feedback are valued. We are a growing program.
Jacob Moore, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2024-2028
University of Nebraska
Why UNMC? I’m so excited to join this program. There’s a need for mental health care doctors here, and I’m happy to fill it.
Sandie Keesler, MD
Resident, 2025-2028
Creighton University
Why UNMC? As a medical student, I trained at the other medical school in town. Now, I’m excited to be a resident at UNMC. I get to meet a whole new department, and meet new faculty members. I will be able to rotate at new sites in the area, which will really broaden my understanding of how best serve this community. I really want to stay in Omaha and practice here in the future.
Andrew Leavitt, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2025-2029
UNMC
Why UNMC? I went to medical school at UNMC, and I saw the fantastic care that the psychiatrists and other doctors gave to patients. Also, seeing, firsthand, how much they prioritize learning was a really, really big deal to me. UNMC is the perfect program for me.
Hannah Manoj, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2025-2029
UNMC
Why UNMC? There are a variety of experiences here at UNMC. The faculty are super accommodating and very helpful. They want to know what I'm interested in, and try to get to know me personally. I appreciate that.
Hitesh Rai, DO
Psychiatry resident, 2025-2029
Edwards Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why UNMC? I had a great experience on interview day. It really seemed like the faculty were very interested in how the residents think and what their concerns are. When I spoke with other residents they all said this program cares about wellness, and I want to be somewhere where the faculty cares about me and what I do.
Nikhil Rajulapati, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2025-2029
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic
Why UNMC? I noticed that this program makes a point to collaborate with other programs so you can get the best training. They bring people in for grand rounds, and residents can talk to them and learn from them. You can tell that training is important, and you can really learn a lot about how psychiatry worksbto make lives better.
Meena Sreedhara, MD
Psychiatry resident, 2025-2029
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Why UNMC? I remember on my interview day feeling like everyone was very kind, and very welcoming. Everyone asked if I needed anything or had any questions. This is also a program that not only helps people who live in metropolitan areas, but also people who live in rural areas. The goal is to make care accessible for all patients and fill a great need.