We foster a supportive educational environment centered on patient-focused care, evidence-based psychiatry, scholarly activity, professionalism, leadership development, and physician wellness.
Building the Future of Psychiatry
Training compassionate, culturally competent,
and clinically skilled psychiatrists.
Access to Care
Promoting equitable access to mental health services.
Clinical Excellence
Providing exceptional psychiatric care
to diverse patient populations.
Thank you for your interest in the WellStone Inc. Psychiatry Residency Program.
We welcome applications from qualified U.S. medical graduates and international
medical graduates who are committed to a career in psychiatry and serving diverse
patient populations.
U.S. Medical Graduates (MD/DO)
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Successful completion of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK or COMLEX-USA Level 1
and Level 2-CE.
Completion of at least two months of psychiatry clinical rotations during
the combined M3 and M4 years.
Three letters of recommendation, with at least two letters from physicians
who supervised the applicant during psychiatry rotations.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Successful completion of USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3.
Current ECFMG certification.
Completion of at least three months of U.S.-based clinical experience in
psychiatry, preferably through hands-on externships or clinical rotations.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably including letters from
U.S.-based psychiatry clinical experiences.
The program sponsors J-1 visas only.
Year of Graduation: The program does not have a limit on
an applicant’s year of graduation.
Application and Interview Process
The WellStone Inc. Psychiatry Residency Program participates in the National
Resident Matching Program (NRMP). All applications must be submitted through
the program’s designated residency application process.
Our Residency Selection Committee carefully reviews all applications submitted
to the program. Interview invitations are extended based on a comprehensive
review of each applicant’s qualifications, experiences, overall application,
alignment with the program’s mission, and program needs.
Due to the volume of applications received, we respectfully request that
applicants do not call or email the Program Director or Program Coordinator
to inquire about the status of their application. Applicants selected for an
interview will be contacted directly by the program.
Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee an interview
invitation. All interview decisions are made by the Residency Selection
Committee following a holistic review of each application.
We appreciate your interest in the WellStone Inc. Psychiatry Residency Program
and look forward to reviewing your application.
Residents are encouraged to actively participate in academic and scholarly activities throughout training, with opportunities for mentorship, research collaboration, conference participation, and professional development.
Case Reports
Conference Presentations
Quality Improvement (QI) Projects
Scholarly Collaboration
Highlighted Conference Presentations
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Alabama Psychiatric Physicians Association (APPA)
Indo-American Psychiatric Association
American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI)
Our program is committed to supporting resident well-being through mentorship, work-life balance, educational support, and a collaborative training environment that encourages personal and professional growth.
Faculty mentorship and open-door support
Collaborative and team-oriented culture
Wellness activities and resident social events
Protected educational opportunities
Access to mental health and wellness resources
Supportive learning environment focused on resident success
Huntsville offers residents an exceptional quality of life with outdoor recreation, entertainment, arts, dining, and a growing medical and technology community.
Convenient access to Nashville, Birmingham, and Atlanta
“I went to the ER and they didn’t have a bed for me. They gave me a few options, including WellStone, but I didn’t want to go so I just went home. Eventually, my head felt so bad I knew I’d be in trouble if I didn’t get help so I checked myself into Wellstone and stayed for six days. It was the best decision I ever made.”
Welcome to the WellStone Inc. Psychiatry Residency Program.
Thank you for considering our program as the next step in your training. We are committed to developing compassionate, skilled psychiatrists through exceptional clinical experiences, meaningful mentorship, and a supportive learning environment.
At WellStone, you’ll care for patients across the full continuum of psychiatric services while working alongside faculty who are invested in your personal and professional growth. Our goal is to prepare physicians who deliver outstanding care, lead with compassion, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.
We appreciate your interest in our program and look forward to welcoming the next generation of psychiatrists to WellStone.
Shanthi Gatla, MD Founding Program Director
Residency Leadership
Shanthi Gatla, M.D.
Program Director, WES Psychiatrist
Dr. Shanthi Gatla is board-certified in Adult Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She completed her Psychiatry Residency and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of South Alabama, where she later served on faculty.
Dr. Gatla also served as core faculty and resident mentor at the North Alabama Medical Center Psychiatry Residency Program before joining the WellStone Psychiatry Residency Program. Since her appointment in March 2025, she has served as the Founding Program Director, playing a key role in developing the residency program. She also provides psychiatric care for children and adolescents at the WellStone Pediatric Emergency Crisis Center.
Her professional interests include resident education, mentorship, and community psychiatry. Outside of work, Dr. Gatla enjoys hiking, binge-watching Netflix, and spending time with her family.
Praveen Narahari, M.D.
Program Chair, WES Psychiatrist
Dr. Praveen Narahari, MS, MD, DFAPA, is a Dual board-certified adult psychiatrist and addiction medicine physician with extensive experience in academic psychiatry, inpatient psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, and resident education. He completed his psychiatry residency and served as Chief Resident at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, where he later held faculty appointments as Assistant and Associate Professor of Psychiatry.
Dr. Narahari is recognized for his dedication to medical education, clinical excellence, and mentorship of psychiatry residents and medical students. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and has received multiple awards for teaching, research, and professional leadership throughout his career.
Ajmal Khan, MD
WellStone Psychiatrist
Dr. Ajmal Khan is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with extensive experience in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and community psychiatry. He currently provides psychiatric care through WellStone across a variety of clinical settings in North Alabama.
Dr. Khan completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and previously served as adjunct faculty with the UAB Department of Psychiatry, where he helped educate and supervise psychiatry residents and medical trainees.
His clinical interests include mood disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach, Dr. Khan is dedicated to providing evidence-based care while supporting the mental health needs of the communities he serves.
Donald Klasing, MD
WellStone Psychiatrist
Dr. Donald Klasing is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with more than 25 years of experience in behavioral healthcare. He currently provides outpatient psychiatric services through WellStone.
Dr. Klasing earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Alabama Medical Center. Before pursuing medicine, he earned an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University and served in the United States Navy.
Throughout his career, Dr. Klasing has held clinical and leadership roles across a variety of psychiatric settings, including inpatient, outpatient, geriatric, and telepsychiatry services. His professional interest focuses on the transition from adolescence into adulthood, with an emphasis on helping young adults navigate the unique mental health challenges that accompany this critical stage of life.
About WellStone Crisis and Emergency Care Facilities
