Way Cool Women

Dr. Megan Mroczkowski is a psychiatrist and Program Medical Director of Pediatric Psychiatry Emergency Service at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. In addition, she's Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. I asked Dr. Mroczkowski to share her work with WayCoolWomen.com readers because mental health awareness is increasing, especially among young adults. It was a pleasure talking to Dr. Mroczkowski and meeting her Fellows. I especially enjoyed her positivity. I hope her interview introduces readers to possible new careers and conversations about mental health. To learn more about Dr. Mroczkowski's work and path to helping people, visit:  www.columbiapsychiatry.org/profile/megan-m-mroczkowski-md 

Misheel:  Can you explain what you do in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry?

Dr. Mroczkowski:  I am so fortunate to have an amazing job which I love: I currently serve as the Program Medical Director of the Pediatric Psychiatry Emergency Service at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. I work with an incredible team of physicians, social workers, case manager, nurses, and rotating groups of child psychiatry fellows, psychiatry residents, and medical students. Each time a patient presents to the pediatric emergency department with a behavioral health emergency such as suicidal ideation, symptoms of depression, or agitation, our team meets with the patient, his or her family, and, with the consent of the parent(s), speaks to the outpatient providers (if he or she is in treatment), and his or her school. Often children and adolescents present to the emergency department in a crisis and have not seen or spoken to a mental health professional before. My hope is that our team provides compassion and hope to the patient and family during a very stressful time and acts as ambassadors for the mental health system. A patient may not need to access any mental health treatment again in his or her life, or may need to years later; my goal is that our team’s kindness and compassion make mental health treatment accessible and welcoming. I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health and that we need to take care of both of these realms for optimal health and wellbeing.

In addition to my training in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry, I pursued an additional fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry. I’ve used this training to help assess patients’ risk in the emergency department and to do a small amount of expert witness work in the criminal justice and civil cases. For example, if a defendant is charged with a crime, he or she may have a psychiatric history. His or her attorney may ask a Forensic Psychiatrist to evaluate the defendant to help educate the court about how his or her mental illness may have impacted the alleged crime. I love this type of work because it allows the opportunity to teach the court about mental health.

Misheel:  Between the age groups (young child, adolescents, adults, etc.), do you notice any differences and/or similarities in their minds?

Dr. Mroczkowski:  I love working with all ages of patients, young children, adolescents, and adults, and I’ve noticed some interesting differences in their minds and behaviors. Young children are typically so open to talking and sharing their experiences and even a small intervention or short-term treatment can be so impactful on their life. Adolescents are amazing because they are learning how to think abstractly and what impact they want to have on the world. I love how hopeful and smart they are. Adults are wonderful because if it is the right time for them, they can make meaningful changes in their lives, and the lives of their families.

Misheel:  How did you decide to pursue a career in psychiatry?

Dr. Mroczkowski:  From a young age, I hoped to become a physician. During undergraduate, I became interested in the brain and human behavior. I was blessed to attend medical school and had the most wonderful time during these four years. Although it was difficult, it was a gift to learn medicine surrounded by incredibly smart and thoughtful people. In medical school, one rotates through core clerkships (Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine). I loved each of these clerkships, for very different reasons, and had a difficult time deciding between pursuing a career in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, or Psychiatry. I loved working with children and also loved having lots of time to talk with patients. Psychiatry, and child psychiatry in particular, affords the best of both of these worlds.

Misheel:  What advice would you give your younger self?

Dr. Mroczkowski:  I would tell myself not to stress as much about getting into the very best undergraduate and instead focus on how to learn and make the most of every learning opportunity. I have met so many incredible, successful, and talented people who attended all types and tiers of universities. The most important thing is to find teachers and mentors who are inspiring and smart and to learn as much as possible in all types of situations. For example, in residency, I worked with a research group studying Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I attended their weekly meetings and learned how they approached clinical research; there was no way to learn this other than taking a risk in asking to join their group and then taking in as much as possible during the process. This collaboration led to my first scientific paper, and I am grateful for their patience, guidance, and encouragement. They taught me the importance of perseverance and I try to pass this hope along to those with whom I work.