Psychiatry Residency Training Program
Meet Our Residents!
Chief Residents
Kristy Matasavage, D.O.
Rachel Sankin, D.O.
PGY 1
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor of Science in Management and Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Biology Minor from Drake University
Professional Accomplishments: Territory Manager for Advanced Wound Healing Modalities at Solsys Medical and Misonix, Inc. (2017-2021), Founder of the Nova Southeastern University Tampa Bay Wilderness Medicine Club, Gold Humanism National Honor Society Member, Research Presenter at Meetings of the American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, Florida Medical Association, and Florida Osteopathic Medical Association
Clinical & Research Interests: Forensic psychiatry, interventional psychiatry, psychopharmacologic advancements, and the impact of physical wellness, spiritual wellness, and nutrition on psychiatric disease state
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Master’s conservative management of chronic psychiatric states, Become a competent therapist capable of integrating psychotherapeutic modalities into my patient interviews, Stay at the forefront of psychiatric pharmacological advancements and gain proficiency in their prescription, Acquire the technical skills necessary to administer interventional therapeutics such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Gain a deep understanding of how psychiatry and our legal system intersect.
Personal Interests: Chess, rock climbing/hiking, reading, skiing, and weightlifting
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor of Behavioral Neuroscience and Bachelor of Human Biology from Michigan State University
Professional Accomplishments: Member of Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Medical Honor Society, Gold Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health (TOUCH) Award, Silver Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health (TOUCH) Award
Clinical & Research Interests: Heavily interested in personality and mood disorders, as well as neuropsychiatry
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Dr. Dittmer hopes to become a double boarded Psychiatrist to serve her patients throughout their lifetime in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Personal Interests: Traveling, painting, rollerblading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education: Bachelor’s in Behavioral Neuroscience from Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Global health fellow involved in projects that served populations globally, received recognition for academic and clinical excellence, including an award for outstanding performance on the LRH Psychiatry Rotation during medical school, and presented at national and international conferences
Clinical & Research Interests: Neuromodulation and the use of technology in mental health care
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Dr. Patel hopes to build a strong foundation in Clinical Psychiatry, explore interventional treatments and fellowship options, and serve diverse patient populations
Personal Interests: Reading, travelling, travel planning, and technology
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education: Bachelor’s of Science Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Class Board of Medical Class 2021-2025, Sigma Sigma Phi 2023-2025, and Medical Assistant at Coastal Orthopedics 2020-2021
Clinical & Research Interests: The evaluation and treatment of schizophrenia, mood disorders, and incorporating psychotherapy into every aspect of psychiatric treatment
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Dr. Tsai hopes to learn an empathetic approach in medicine to provide care for every patient that struggles with mental health. Develop a strong foundation for psychiatric care that I can utilize to support my community in both inpatient and outpatient settings
Personal Interests: Physical fitness, coffee, sports, skiing/snowboarding, video games, and traveling the world
PGY 2
Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education: Bachelor’s in Cell & Molecular Biology from University of South Florida, Post-Baccalaureate in Pathology from University of South Florida, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Behavioral Medicine Award from Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Content Creator for American Association of Community Psychiatry in 2023, Public Relations Director for Neuro/Psych Club in medical school
Clinical & Research Interests: Expanding psychiatric resources within communities through assertive community treatment and integrated behavioral health. Improving clinical outcomes with early psychosis intervention. Learning about types of psychotherapy.
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Identify the deficits in mental health resources within Lakeland and play an active role to address them. Practice communication with patients of all backgrounds and pathologies. Learn more about ECT/TMS. Work collaboratively with social workers, psychotherapists, and peer specialists. Make great memories and build bonds with my co-residents.
Personal Interests: Painting, exploring local restaurants and bars, going to art museums, growing indoor plants, cooking and baking.
Undergraduate and Post-Graduate Education: Bachelor’s of Science degree with a major in Biomedical Sciences from University of South Florida, and Doctor of Medicine Degree and Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Human Health Science from American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Recipient of the Tom and Donna Buchanan Grant Award from the Florida Psychiatric Society, with poster presentations at both the Florida Psychiatric Society and Central Florida Research Symposium. Topics included improving communication between psychiatric providers and distinguishing schizoaffective disorder from bipolar disorder with psychotic features.
Research & Clinical Interests: Comprehensive evaluation and treatment for management of severe mood disorders; ECT, TMS
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: To use the biopsychosocial model to thoroughly assess and treat patients presenting with a variety of psychiatric illnesses.
Personal Interests: Spending time with family, reviewing new restaurants, pickleball, dance, and swimming.
Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Stony Brook University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Central Florida
Professional Accomplishments: Presented research at a national conference, PAS 2022 Denver
Clinical & Research Interests: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Addiction
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: To become a well-rounded psychiatrist
Personal Interests: Cycling, soccer, listening to podcasts
Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of Florida Jacksonville and a Doctoral Degree in Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Prior experience as both a Psychiatric Discharge Planner and Scribe
Clinical & Research Interests: Trained in Crisis Counseling by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training:
- Conducting a psychiatric Quality Improvement project to reduce recidivism rates at LRH
- Interested in pursuing Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Personal Interests: Visual arts: sketching and painting, and physical fitness
PGY 3
Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education: BA of Psychology (Cum Laude)- Western Connecticut State University, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (Magna Cum Laude)- Campbell University
Professional Accomplishments: Captain of college field hockey team for 2 seasons, Psychiatric Technician for 3 years, President of the Psychiatry Club in medical school, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Teaching Assistant in medical school
Clinical & Research Interests: Postpartum depression and psychosis; Treatment of anxiety disorders; forensic psychiatry; ECT; TMS
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: To be exposed to a diverse learning environment and to get experience with different disciplines of psychiatry such as addiction, child and adolescent, forensic; ECT, etc. To become more skilled with navigating patient encounters, develop different psychotherapy techniques and to further develop active listening skills.
Personal Interests: Field hockey, DIY home improvement projects, fostering and rescuing dogs
Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education: Doctor of Medicine at Chittagong Medical College
Professional Accomplishments: Presented research at national and international conferences including AAGP, AACAP, WPA, and the Florida Psychiatric Society, with topics ranging from geriatric mental health to child and adolescent psychiatry. Delivered oral presentations at Lakeland Regional Health and the Central Florida Research Symposium. Recognized with multiple awards, including Best Resident – Off-Service Rotation, the Tom and Donna Buchanan Grant, and Outstanding Scientist at the Central Florida Research Symposium. Serves as Advocacy Ambassador, Assembly Delegate, and Disaster Response Liaison for ROCAP Tampa Bay.
Clinical & Research Interests: Tele-psychiatric evaluations for Neurocognitive/Neuropsychiatric diseases.
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Evaluation and complete management of different types of common and rare psychiatric conditions.
Personal Interests: Spending time with family, exploring outdoors and playing bamboo flute.
Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education: Bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University, Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at West Liberty University, and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Recognized as an Outstanding Resident in the 2023-2024 Central Florida Symposium, and currently serving as the 2025–2026 Chief Resident.
Clinical & Research Interests: Use of Antipsychotics and Metabolic Disorders. Eating Disorders. Use of Psychedelic Medications for the treatment of PTSD, Depression, etc.
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Mastering the skills for psychiatric assessment and treatment in both the outpatient and inpatient setting. Becoming a reliable provider for the community.
Personal Interests: Long distance running, Pilates, spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, visiting art galleries.
Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education: Bachelor’s degree of Biology (Magna Cum Laude) at Florida State University and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Accomplishments: Awarded third place at the FOMA Virtual Poster Presentation and named 2024 Resident Publisher of the Year for two publications—one in Cureus and another in the Journal of Psychedelics Psychiatry. Presented research at the Central Florida Symposium in both 2024 (poster) and 2025 (podium), and actively contributed to case conferences and journal clubs
Clinical & Research Interests: Management of severe psychiatric disorders in the inpatient setting. Identify causes and implement effective strategies to reduce depression and suicidal crisis in children and adolescents. ECT,TMS.
Goals for Psychiatry Residency Training: Help destigmatize mental illness and address health disparities in psychiatry, especially within minority populations. Learn effective communication skills to foster empathy and compassion towards patients and families.
Personal Interests: Fostering cats, listening to true-crime podcasts, and trying new restaurants.
