The College of Community Health Sciences welcomed a new fellow to its Behavioral Health Fellowship – Dr. Ijeoma Okeke. She began her training in July.
The Behavioral Health Fellowship trains family medicine physicians, particularly those planning to practice in rural communities, to better care for patients with mental health issues. Fellows receive training in evaluation and treatment of mental health concerns commonly seen in primary care. As part of her training, Okeke will care for patients at University Medical Center, which is operated by the College.
Okeke completed her residency at the Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine Residency Program, which is part of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. During her time in residency, she gained teaching and leadership skills while serving as chief resident and chairperson for both community medicine and recruitment. She also spoke at career days, mentorship programs and breast cancer awareness events in Alabama Black Belt communities.
Okeke is passionate about promoting wellness, participating in community outreach, developing mentorships and improving health literacy in all patient populations.
The Behavioral Health Fellowship is one of seven fellowships offered by the College. CCHS also has fellowships in obstetrics, sports medicine, emergency medicine, geriatrics, hospital medicine and pediatrics. Each fellowship is a year-long program that provides additional, specialized training to family medicine physicians.