Today we’d like to introduce you to Nisha Chande.
Hi Nisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, and thank you for this opportunity to introduce myself and my new practice, Uplift Psychiatry! My name is Nisha Chande, MD, and I am a board-certified psychiatrist practicing in Kennesaw for over 13 years.
My family moved to GA when I was nine years old and in the 4th grade, and I haven’t left! I grew up in Augusta, GA, and then attended Wesleyan College. Following that, I earned my Doctorate of Medicine from Mercer University School of Medicine, where I was recognized as the Outstanding Graduating Senior in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences for Exceptional Scholarship, Enthusiasm, Competent and Compassionate Patient Care.
My interest in psychiatry deepened during my medical school rotations, leading me to attend Emory University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Residency program, which is a four-year training program specializing in psychiatry. I spent those four years accumulating 12,000 hours of clinical experience across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and consultation liaison services at Emory University, Grady Memorial Hospital, and the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital of Atlanta.
After completing my residency and moving to Kennesaw, I pursued a position as a psychiatrist at Kennesaw State University. It’s been an honor to serve as KSU’s first full-time psychiatrist, being the sole psychiatrist in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services these past 13 years.
Although I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as KSU’s psychiatrist, I noticed a glaring need for psychiatry services in my community and especially in rural areas of Georgia. I have spoken to many primary care physicians in this state, almost all of whom reinforce the same message.
I started my private practice called Uplift Psychiatry in December 2023 to help address these needs. It is a telepsychiatry practice, which means that all appointments are virtual using a HIPPA-compliant platform. I am licensed to see all residents in the whole state of Georgia as long as they are physically in the state at the time of the appointment. I additionally offer weeknight and weekend appointments. With my virtual practice, I’m hoping I can do my part to help provide mental health services to the underserved patients of rural Georgia.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am a lifelong student, and I did not take any breaks or gap semesters until I became a fully licensed psychiatrist. Although I wouldn’t say my road has been rocky, it has definitely been mentally and physically taxing. There are many exams along the way, including the Medical College Admission Test, the United States Medical Licensing Exam, Steps 1, 2, and 3, followed by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology written and oral exams. These were challenging examinations, and they each took many months of preparation. Four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school, and four years of psychiatry residency, along with the seemingly endless tests, were absolutely exhausting. I am glad to be on the other side of those!
The pandemic posed some initial challenges in my practice. Before the pandemic, all psychiatric services were conducted in person. However, in March 2020, we shifted to providing virtual appointments for the first time. It is now second nature to manage Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, but at that time, there was a huge learning curve with navigating these platforms and updating our office policies and procedures, informed consent, and intake forms.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have experience in diagnosing and providing medication management to a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar spectrum disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
The first time I meet with a patient, we usually spend 60-90 minutes together, where I listen to why they are seeking treatment, how long the symptoms have been occurring, and any related stressors. I then ask about other parts of their history, such as medical history, medications and past trials, and social history.
By the end of the appointment, I present a treatment plan in detail, which may or may not include medication. In addition to medication management, I also provide brief, supportive, and problem-focused psychotherapy.
As I am often the first psychiatrist for my patients. I prioritize providing competent and compassionate care with a strong focus on psychoeducation. At the end of each appointment, I always ask, “Is there anything else I can answer for you?” It’s important to me that my patients feel heard and supported throughout their care journey.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Since starting Uplift Psychiatry, I’ve made it a point to carry my business cards everywhere, even to holiday parties! Recognizing the importance of building referral networks, especially within psychiatry, I targeted local therapists and primary care doctors as potential sources. I proactively reached out to several offices, scheduling times for meet-and-greet sessions. I’ve also shared details about my practice within Georgia-based Facebook professional groups for physicians and therapists. Additionally, I joined Facebook groups specifically for psychiatrists that practice telepsychiatry. You can search for topics that may have previously been discussed and ask your own questions! There is a wealth of knowledge out there!
Contact Info:
- Website: upliftpsychiatry.com
Image Credits
Dylan Chande
