The Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is primarily based at the Le Bonheur
Children’s Hospital outpatient clinics and general medical hospital. The Division
offers Child Psychotherapy services in the UT at 920 Madison Avenue. Faculty also
provide psychiatric support to the Shelby County Schools system. The Division of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry sponsors the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship.
Trainees in this program rotate at clinical sites including Le Bonheur Children’s
Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Lakeside Behavioral Health.
Message from the Chief
Over 20 years ago, when I was searching for program, the UT Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Fellowship attracted me immediately because of its commitment to personalization,
authentic friendliness, and strong relationship with pediatrics.
As a fellow, the program assisted me in understanding why I was passionate about Child
Psychiatry, adjusting my journey to fit my needs, and providing me with experiences
that both amplified my learning and helped me pursue my specific interests.
It also allowed me to live in Memphis, TN, which was affordable and had the best barbecue
around. Memphis boasted a city park larger than NYC’s Central Park, the Mississippi
River, a great Children’s Museum, and a world class zoo for my three daughters to
enjoy. Not surprisingly, all of this has remained the same.
In truth, the opportunities that we provide have only expanded in the past 20 years,
as I have come full circle, completing my fellowship training here in 1993 and now
serving as Interim Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Because the fellowship
has remained small, we have been able to listen and adapt to our fellows’ needs.
We now provide a wide range of experiences from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to our city school affiliated day treatment program
and output experience. The city itself has gotten even better as well, with a greenway
for cycling, a renewed focus on education, and a professional basketball team. It
is easy to understand why I came and why I stayed. Thank you for your interest in
our Child Psychiatry Program. Please feel free to email me at varnold@uthsc.edu with
any questions.
Valerie K. Arnold, MD
Chief
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
