Laurie Arndorfer, M.D.
Dr. Arndorfer entered the residency program after graduating medical school from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2005. She has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa and has worked in the Washington, Iowa School District as a middle school social worker. She then worked in Arizona in an inpatient psychiatric hospital before moving to Omaha to work as an outpatient therapist at Lutheran Family Services. Laurie is married to Mike and has a fantastic daughter, Sydney. Her interests include biking, singing, reading, and horseback riding.
Laurie will serve as an Associate Chief for the residency program in 2007-2008, and was a Residency Training Committee Member in 2006-2007. She is interested in women's mental health and collegiate mental health.
Amy Barker, M.D.
Dr. Barker grew up in Laguna Beach, CA and completed a BA in Geography from UCLA. After she graduated, she relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area and worked as a paralegal while completing an MA in English Literature. She then attended a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at Mills College and relocated to Nebraska – where her mother grew up — to attend UNMC. She graduated in 2005, and married her wonderful husband, Devin, the same year.
Dr. Barker says "Throughout a long route to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor, the best decision I made was to move to Nebraska. Nebraska is where I met my husband and where I joined a residency program that has enriched my life everyday with great friends and great training."
Mariam Garuba
Dr. Garuba graduated from Creighton Medical School in 2005, and is currently a second year resident. Dr. Garuba says "I like the program here. Its friendly, there is a family feel to it, everyone is extremely supportive and it makes for a wonderful learning environment."
Andy Mattai, M.D.
Dr. Mattai’s background is quite varied. He grew up in California and moved to Iowa in high school where in 2005 he also graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. During medical school career, he had the opportunity to conduct child psychiatric research at the National Institutes of Mental Health. His interests outside of work mainly involve sports and traveling and he is an avid tennis player and was very impressed with how big the tennis scene is in Omaha. Omaha's proximity to Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City make for interesting weekends when time allows.
Dr. Mattai says "My residency training thus far has only strengthened my interest in psychiatry and has allowed me enough exposure and experiences to further define my career goals. Residents have numerous opportunities to enhance their teaching skills, conduct research, and learn basic aspects of psychiatric administration and policy. The faculty are enormously supportive and approachable. I heartily recommend this program to all applicants."
Sarita Pal
Dr. Pal was born and brought-up in Delhi, India, and is a graduate from the University College of Medical Sciences. Her husband is a faculty member in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease at VA Medical Center, Omaha. They have an 8-year-old son.
Dr. Pal says "I am a friendly person, and enjoy music, watching movies, hiking, traveling, painting, and swimming. The best things about our program are excellent teaching, friendly attendings, lots of research and fellowship opportunities."
Josh Phillips, M.D.
Hello, my name is Josh Phillips, yes... THE Josh Phillips... (hahaha) Well, as many of you no doubt know (again, the hahaha) I graduated H.S. in Gering, Nebraska in 1992. Flipping a coin, I went to North Central University in Minneapolis and received a degree in Theology and Ancient Languages and worked for some time as a Children's Pastor. Destiny's persistent whisper finally brought me to the University of Nebraska for medical school.
With a 4-year-old girl, Phoebe, and a 2-year-old boy, David, I consider "Hobbies" the luxury of the bored! When I can, I dabble in Poetry (only 1 piece published, so far...), the Outdoors (Bike Commute is far easier to say than....), and Combating local battalions of carpenter ants!
Residency here is wonderful! For the Latin Lovers I know are out there, "Res Ipsa Loquitur!" I have some really awesome opportunities to teach, small groups and lectures, I am the newly minted Graduate Medical Education Representative, and really enjoy psychotherapy. The program is flexible and can serve as a canvas for any number of paintings (ah, metaphor, I love thee!).
Thanks for your moment at the Phillip's Shrine to Himself, I hope your smile lasts longer than it took to make!
Staci Rosche, M.D.
Dr. Rosche grew up in Columbus, Nebraska, and attended Briar Cliff University to play volleyball and obtain a B.S. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology. She moved to Omaha to attend medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and was excited to stay here and join our residency program.
Dr. Rosche held the position of Vice President for the Psychiatry Residents Organization during her PGY II year, and received the Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award from Creighton medical students as a PGY I. This year, she was voted a member of the Residency Training Committee.
Dr. Rosche says "I have felt lucky to know, befriend, and learn from the other residents in our program, as well as the faculty. I spend my free time with friends and family, enjoy traveling, watching live sports (especially Husker football, baseball, and the College World Series), warm weather, and continue to play recreational volleyball."