1st Year Fellows
Synthia Lay, MD
Undergrad: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
Psychiatry Residency: Kaweah Health
Why UW Child and Adolescent Psychiatry?
When applying for CAP fellowship, I was looking for a program that offered excellent training along with opportunities to explore my specific interests. UW checked all my boxes, and I thoroughly enjoyed my interview, especially getting to know the compassionate and knowledgeable faculty. I am particularly interested in consult-liaison psychiatry, so training at a program affiliated with a top children’s hospital was important to me. At Seattle Children’s, we see a wide range of unique and complex cases and work alongside outstanding multidisciplinary teams. I am also interested in eating disorders, LGBTQ mental health, and trauma, and UW CAP provides rich experiences in all these areas through its specialty clinics. Lastly, I love Seattle! Growing up in California, I wanted to stay relatively close to home while still exploring a new city. Seattle offers the perfect balance of vibrant city life and access to the outdoors, with some of the best summers in the country.
Career Goals
I love medicine, and I find consult-liaison psychiatry to be the most interesting and mentally stimulating, so I see myself predominantly working in CL settings. I also have a passion for teaching and education, which points to academia or, at the very least, working at a teaching hospital. In terms of patient populations, I am to serve marginalized communities, including LGBTQ youth and immigrant families.
Clinical Rotations
Our schedule is divided into four 3-month blocks. I started off with inpatient psychiatry at Seattle Children’s psych unit. Then I will rotate through the consult-liaison service at Seattle Children’s, our pediatric state hospital (Child Study Treatment Center), and lastly a variety of outpatient clinics (including our eating disorder, autism, and neurology clinics).
Average Weekly Hours
40-50
Night and Weekend Duty
I chose a mix of “scattered” calls and night float. We take weekday calls at home from 5 pm to 8 am, and then we get post-call day off. On weekend call, we see consults from 8-5 pm and then are on call at home until 8 am the next day. Night float is basically weekday call from Monday to Thursday, with Friday (post-call) off and we do not report to our regular daytime clinical duties. I average 2-3 call shifts per month.
Monday
AM: I am currently on the inpatient psychiatry rotation, so I wake up at 7:30 AM to make it in time for safety huddle at the PBMU at 8:30 AM. I commute from Ballard, which is about 20 min from Seattle Children’s. The team usually finishes rounding on patients by lunch.
PM: In the afternoon, we see any patients we didn’t get to in the morning and then spend the rest of the work day calling parents, placing orders, coordinating care, and writing notes. I’m usually done by 5 PM, and spend the rest of the evening working out and cooking dinner.
Tuesday
AM: Same as Monday. Typical cases in the PBMU include suicidal ideation, aggression, and psychosis. We see both children and adolescents, and even kids with intellectual disability, which is unique to the PBMU. Multidisciplinary rounds take place in the morning with case management, pharmacy, nursing, therapists, and psychologists.
PM: Same as Tuesday. Sometimes we have new admissions in the afternoon. I usually carry 4-5 patients. After work, I go to the gym and then return home to my cat. We like to spend our weekday nights watching whatever is trending on Netflix.
Wednesday
AM: Wednesdays are F1 clinic days, which begin at 8 AM with our “intensives” (only until September). Although 90 min long, our intensives are fantastic lectures on high-yield topics relevant to our training at Seattle Children’s. Our most recent one was about CBT for anxiety and OCD. After lecture, we meet with our continuity clinic supervisors to discuss the cases for the day. I am still building my caseload, so I typically see one new evaluation in the morning.
PM: I usually see a couple of med management follow-ups in the afternoon, and then I have my therapy case at 4 PM. I generally have a mix of both tele and in-person appointments. After work, I grab groceries on my way home and do an in-home Pilates session.
Thursday
AM: Back in the PBMU! Thursdays are no different from Mondays or Tuesdays. While rounding on patients, I enjoy spending time with the kids outside on the patio, making paper stars with them, and learning the latest Gen Alpha and Gen Z lingo.
PM: Again, same as Monday/Tuesday. We primarily manage medications and any other medical concerns while working closely with therapists to determine the patient’s needs (outpatient supports, level of care) upon discharge. If it’s the first Thursday of the month, I try to go to Pioneer Square Artwalk, which is a popular gathering of local artists and vendors displaying/selling their work.
Friday
AM: We have our didactics on Friday morning, typically beginning at 9 AM, but some days begin at 8 AM. Currently, we’re learning about development.
PM: I return to the PBMU and see half my usual caseload, sometimes with or without the attending, depending on whether they have already seen my patients. To end the work week, I love exploring the food scene here and checking off restaurants/shops on my running list of places to eat in Seattle.
Saturday
AM: Saturdays are my fun days. I also have a running list of things to do in Seattle. I usually sleep in until 9 AM, make a matcha latte, and then go to the gym.
PM: I find myself at Pike Place fairly often because there’s so much to do in the area. Most recently, I took a ferry to Bainbridge Island and walked around the cute town. Seattle also hosts a lot of live music events, so I make an effort to attend concerts if an artist I like is in town.
Sunday
AM: Sundays are for reset. And for the Ballard Farmer’s Market. I live in a great location in Ballard, so I love walking to the Farmer’s Market and stopping by my favorite boutiques and cafes. I also take Pilates classes at the Solidcore nearby.
PM: I spend the rest of my day going through emails/work-related things, cleaning my apartment, grocery shopping, and meal prepping. Then I dedicate the end of the day to self-care.
2nd Year Fellows
Audrey Coventry, MD
Undergrad: Wofford College
Medical School: University of Kansas
Psychiatry Residency: University of Washington
Why UW Child and Adolescent Psychiatry?
I’m originally from the Midwest but fell in love with Seattle when I moved here for psychiatry residency! I applied broadly to CAP programs across the country, but at the end of the day staying at UW/Seattle Children’s for fellowship was an easy choice. I wanted a program that offered quality training in a variety of settings with a diverse range of high-acuity patients, and our program definitely fits the bill. The people I’m working with every day also hugely impact my quality of life, and I love the collegial, supportive environment at UW/SCH. The attendings here are so invested in our education and helping us reach our professional goals. Finally, I love the community I’ve found in the city and the unbeatable access to outdoor adventures.
Career Goals
I love inpatient and CL psychiatry, especially at hospitals that manage high levels of acuity and complexity. I also love working with learners! Maybe I’ll be your SCH attending after I graduate 🙂
Clinical Rotations
OBCC (Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic), EDRP (Eating Disorder Recovery Program), Echo Glen juvenile detention facility, continuity clinic, ECC (Early Childhood Clinic), family therapy
Average Weekly Hours
40-50
Night and Weekend Duty
On average I have about 1 weeknight at-home call (always with a post-call day off!) and one weekend day call (either a Saturday or Sunday) per month over the course of the year.
Monday
AM: Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC): a community-centered, comprehensive outpatient pediatrics clinic that has a designated Psychiatry branch. This clinic really caters to the diverse community and underserved populations in south Seattle.
Noon: I signed up for the UW virtual DBT seminar, scheduled from 11:30-1pm on Mondays for 6 months.
PM: Eating Disorder Recovery Program clinic with Dr. Weiss. This clinic works as a consultation model to provide psychiatric evaluation and treatment for patients with eating disorders
After work: I’ve probably been busy adventuring all weekend so Monday I’ll catch up with groceries or after work. There are 3 Trader Joe’s locations within 15 minutes of my apartment! If I’m all caught up I might check out the Monday night open mic music sessions at Seamonster.
Tuesday
AM/PM: Tuesdays I am at Echo Glen, a juvenile detention center about 45 minutes from Seattle. We provide psychiatric care in an outpatient model, but working within the facility definitely feels different from a typical clinic! It can be a challenging work environment but it’s been valuable to learn how to work effectively in such a restricted setting, as well as work with patients who are highly complex, at-risk, and often very under-resourced.
After work: I’ll be enjoying the last of the warmer weather at Gas Works park, just a few minutes from my apartment and with fantastic views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. It’s a great place to paddleboard or kayak too!
Wednesday
AM/PM: Wednesday is continuity clinic day at our Magnuson location. I see a mix of in-person and telehealth visits as well as a weekly therapy case. In my patient panel I have patients with ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, psychosis, catatonia, behavior challenges, complex genetic/developmental conditions, ASD, substance use disorders, and terminal illness, among others. Attendings staff every case even in F2 year so I always feel supported.
After work: My neighborhood has a lovely farmer’s market on Wednesday evenings.
Thursday
AM: Early Childhood Clinic: a specialty clinic within Seattle Children’s for children aged 0-4 years. Most kids I see are between 2-4 years old and often have trauma histories, complex family situations, underlying neurodevelopmental conditions, or other complicating factors. The pillar of treatment in this young age group is behavioral and focused on building parent skills.
PM: Chief time! Thursday PM is dedicated admin time for emails, reviewing fellowship applicants, attending meetings, and other chief duties. I love being able to do this from home where my darling cat can keep me company.
After work: I might take a casual bike ride along the Burke Gilman trail, enjoy the view from my rooftop, or spend time with some friends.
Friday
AM: Friday AM is our didactics day, with a mix between virtual and in-person didactics. We also have monthly business meetings which gives us a chance to check in with each other and get real-time feedback on how rotations are going or other challenges fellows might be experiencing.
PM: Friday PM is usually a mix of administrative chief meetings and helping with applicant interviews. The F2s also have family therapy supervision for an hour on Friday afternoons which is probably my favorite part of the entire work week.
After work: celebrate the weekend! I’ll usually be out getting dinner or checking out a new drink spot with friends. If you’re a fan of karaoke or dueling pianos I’ll show you the best spots!
Saturday
One of my favorite parts of Seattle is access to the outdoors! My favorite hike this summer was Blanca lake, a spectacular mint-green glacial lake that’s an easy day hike from Seattle as long as you don’t mind some elevation gain. Maple Pass is a must-do hike in the fall, tons of gorgeous reds and oranges along the trail plus famous golden larch trees in October! I also try to make an annual trip to the San Juan islands north of Seattle, famous for the many resident orca pods that you can see from the beach if you get lucky.
Sunday
Sundays are pretty variable. I might be exploring a new neighborhood on my quest to find the best bookstore and bakery in Seattle, exploring Pike Place market and the new water front, checking out one of the many Seattle festivals throughout the year (we just had our International District Night Market), or having a quiet day at home with my cat and the latest episode of GBBO.