Imperial County announces first psychiatry residency program

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Imperial County has announced its first psychiatry residency program, making it the 16th county to have one of these program's nationwide. 

Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS), along with the University of California San Diego (UCSD) made the announcement of the first psychiatry residency program Tuesday.

The program was made possible thanks to a grant of $2.5 million.

"This has been a project that we have been working on for two years. It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of collaboration with UCSD, and it's a big accomplishment I think that we never realized. All the benefits this will bring to the community," said Leticia Plancarte Garcia, Director of ICBHS.

Garcia says the program was certified for 16 residents that will come in groups of four.

She says this residency program will help the Imperial Valley in many ways.

"This is important because we are bringing professionals...we are bringing individuals that would take care of people with mental health needs. Imperial County has a high population of individuals with high mental health and sustains disorders. This will help us meet that need," said Garcia.

ICBHS also introduced the faculty of the program.

The four-year program is expected to start in July of next year. To learn more about the program, read the press release below.