Member Spotlight

Meet Taiwo

AADPRT Executive Committee Presidential Appointee Taiwo Babatope, MD, MPH, MBA, is the training director at UTHealth Houston. We recently caught up with her to find out more about her work with the Virtual Programming Workgroup and Curriculum Committee, as well as her personal side.

Initiatives/projects your committee is currently working on?

Virtual Programming Workgroup

• Identify topics that address the needs of all AADPRT members, considering diversity in program settings, program types (e.g., General Psychiatry, CAP, Subspecialty, Combined), leadership experience, resources, and program size.
• Plan programming that incorporates both invited presentations and submitted proposals,  ensuring that processes for both invitations and solicitations are equitable.
• Coordinate closely with the Annual Program Committee
  • Exploring whether its selection process may serve as a model for virtual programming workflows.
  • Reviewing Annual Meeting abstract submissions to determine which may translate well into virtual sessions.
• Determine optimal timing and scheduling of virtual events
  • Alternate days and times to enhance accessibility for all members
  • Take into account seasonal program cycles and administrative demands
• Develop a selection rubric for evaluating submitted virtual session proposals.
• Create an evaluation strategy for assessing virtual sessions.
• Work with AADPRT leadership regarding subspecialty concerns and educational challenges.
• Work with AADPRT Recruitment Committee to discuss strategies for increasing subspecialty recruitment.
• Provide updates on the subspecialty application process and other subspecialty training issues, which we include in presentations at the AADPRT Annual Meeting and periodic webinars.

Curriculum Committee

• Create a Writing Subcommittee to support members throughout all stages of the publication process.
• Promote and encourage the dissemination of curriculum highlights to the broader membership.
• Increase participation among curriculum reviewers, clearly define their roles, and refine the curriculum review process and evaluation materials.
• Clarify and organize committee work streams, including developing cross-specialty educational pathways, expanding programmatic workshops, and strengthening liaison communication with partner committees.
• Review and reorganize the Virtual Training Office (VTO) in the member portal.

What/Who inspired you to be on this committee/workgroup and why?
Dr. Tracey Guthrie encouraged me to join the Virtual Programming Workgroup as a Presidential Appointee to the AADPRT Executive Council, and Dr. Ronke Babalola motivated me to become more engaged through service on the Curriculum Committee. Both are true trailblazers who have advanced psychiatry education through their AADPRT leadership. They helped me recognize that the next step in my professional growth was to contribute to the change we hope to see — especially in uncertain times — and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside them.

How has this committee helped your own professional development?
I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible colleagues from across the country who have become true friends and mentors. I feel welcomed and honored to be part of a community that offers guidance, writes letters of support, and opens doors to opportunities in other professional organizations. I also had the chance to submit a workshop abstract with collaborators from different institutions who share my passions and interests. None of these experiences would have been possible without my involvement in these committees.

What has the committee accomplished that you are most proud of?
Curriculum Committee -- Eight (8) of nine (9) submitted abstracts were accepted by AADPRT for the Annual Meeting. This is the highest acceptance count of any committee.

Virtual Programming Workgroup -- Pre–Annual Meeting Focus (through March 2026): Prioritize inviting speakers whose submissions were not accepted for the 2026 Annual Meeting, which allows us to elevate strong content and offer presenters an alternative national platform.

What advice would you give to a new training director?
Acknowledge the challenges of impostor syndrome, make use of the rich support network within AADPRT, recognize that perfection isn’t a realistic expectation for any academic year, and intentionally pause to celebrate even small wins or successes.

If you weren't a psychiatrist, what career would you choose and why?
Architecture and interior design. I have always had a passion and loved technical drawing as a student. I love visiting architectural buildings and browsing architectural brochures and love to watch home and garden TV networks to browse interior design and re-create some home improvement ideas.

What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people?
I have a twin sister who lives in Edinburgh.

What is the next place on your travel bucket list?
Vietnam

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