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Trainees recognized with departmental 2020 Diversity Award

Nadia Saina, M.D., a psychiatry trainee, and Hanna Katz, Psy.D., psychology trainee, were named as recipients of the annual award.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' Diversity Committee honored two of its trainees with the annual Diversity Award.

Nadia Saina, M.D., and Hanna Katz, Psy.D., were named as recipients of the award, which annually recognizes one psychiatry and one psychology trainee who promotes diversity and inclusion. The honorees were recognized during virtual department graduation ceremonies on June 13.

"There is a quote from Robert Kennedy that says, ‘Each time a man stands up for an idea or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.' I think Dr. Saina and Dr. Katz have definitely been ripples, and I encourage all of us to keep rippling," said Elizabeth Muenks, Ph.D., assistant professor and co-chair of the diversity committee.

Saina served as one of three chief psychiatry residents at the Kansas City VA this year. In addition to participating in the annual Sexuality Conference, which highlighted caring for patients in various aspects of their sexuality, she used electives to work with underserved populations in rural Kansas as well as with LGBTQIA+ youth. Saina also presented a Grand Rounds lecture entitled, "Disparities in Care for Transgender Patients."

"It really means a lot be have been honored with the Diversity Award this year. Throughout my training from medical school until now I have sought to reach diverse, marginalized and underserved populations," Saina said. "I plan to continue to advocate for patients and treat patients from all walks of life and from all socioeconomic backgrounds."

After completing her residency in June, Saina transitioned into a full-time position in Washington state.

A clinical health psychology-oncology fellow embedded at the University of Kansas Cancer Center and a former psychology intern in the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at KU Medical Center, Katz has been an active member of the diversity committee throughout her two years of training at the university. This year, she led the group in a discussion about her own heritage and provided information on anti-Semitism and the generational trauma Jews face.

"Being a member of the diversity committee has been an integral part of my KU Medical Center experience," Katz said. "Being raised in a Jewish home instilled in me the value of Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for repairing the world), and that is one of the reasons I chose to become a psychologist. During my two years of training at KU Medical Center, I have strived to grow and develop cultural humility and will continue to make this a goal throughout my career."

Katz will complete her fellowship training in August.

The Diversity Award was created in honor of Ravinder Goswami, M.D., a graduate of the general psychiatry program who passed away in 2018. For more information about the committee, visit its webpage.


Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

University of Kansas Medical Center
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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