Teaching a new generation of VA physicians

For VA psychiatrist Dr. Donna Ames, one of the most rewarding parts of her job is the ability to mentor and teach health care trainees as part of her duties at VA.

In her words, “You can help one person as a clinician, or you can help thousands as a teacher of other clinicians.”

Click to watch Dr. Donna’s Employee Testimonial.

Dr. Donna has been at VA since accepting a residency in a combined program with UCLA and VA over 25 years ago. During her five years of training, including a residency and fellowship, she developed a passion for working with Veterans. After completing her training, she accepted a position as a psychiatrist at VA and has been serving Veterans throughout her career, both as a clinician and a teacher.

Today, she is a Staff Psychiatrist and Program Leader for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center at the Los Angeles VA Medical Center.

In her current position, she says: “I’m able to wear multiple hats; I’m able to teach young training doctors, which is one of the greatest honors. Here, we have such wonderful teaching programs. It keeps me on my toes, it keeps me up to date, and I’m also able to do research.”

VA is committed to the development of resident physicians, as well as other trainees across a wide variety of health professions. To learn more about how VA can support your career, visit VAcareers.va.gov/TACLVA.