Welcome to the Augusta Health Psychiatry Residency Program

Dear Psychiatry Residency Applicant,

Welcome to the Psychiatry Residency Program at Augusta Health. As an independent, non‑profit, community‑focused medical center, we are committed to compassionate, patient‑centered care and to training physicians who share a dedication to serving the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding communities. We are excited to welcome our first class of psychiatry residents in July 2027, joining our internal medicine program which began in 2024.

I joined Augusta Health in 2025 to help develop this residency program, bringing more than 30 years of experience in psychiatry and leadership. I’m using that background to build a supportive and rigorous training environment focused on high‑quality, accessible mental health care. As program director, my goal is to help residents grow into psychiatrists who practice with skill, humility, and curiosity.

Residents will gain experience across diverse clinical settings, including inpatient and outpatient services at Augusta Health, Valley Community Services Board, and Western State Hospital—an acute care and forensic state hospital located just 10 minutes away. These clinical experiences offer rich exposure to complex presentations, community‑based care, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Augusta Health’s strong community orientation informs our training mission. Through partnerships, regional engagement, and initiatives such as our working farm addressing food insecurity, we strive to respond to the needs of the people we serve. Our program reflects this commitment, emphasizing clinical excellence, service, advocacy, and resident well‑being.

We invite you to explore our program further and reach out with any questions. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you as you begin your journey in psychiatry.

Sincerely,
Chuck Swanson, MD
Program Director, Psychiatry Residency Program
Augusta Health