Dhanalakshmi Ramasamy, MD
Dhanalakshmi Ramasamy, MD, is a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is an assistant clinical professor at the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine, the academic affiliate of Lehigh Valley Health Network, and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Thomas Jefferson University. She is also Medical Director at Lehigh Valley Physician Group PG Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry – 1259 Cedar Crest – and Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program.
She earned a medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College, India. She completed her General Psychiatry residency training at Temple University in Philadelphia and completed her child and adolescent fellowship at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
She is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She held numerous leadership positions within the Lehigh Chapter, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society (PaPS)and served as president of PaPS.
“The reasons I joined organized medicine are many, with an emphasis on the ability to:”
-Network and connect with peers and mentors.
-Collaborate on initiatives that improve patient outcomes.
-Learn about the latest industry trends and developments through educational conferences.
-Advocate for policies that further our patient care, profession, and career growth.
During my second year of residency, I joined organized medicine, the PA Psychiatric Society, to further our commitment to patient well-being “beyond our four walls.” I was intrigued by how medication choices, prior authorization, and available treatments are influenced by other stakeholders in daily practice. I learned that there is a recognition that many of the issues that impact patient care and our profession, such as insurance parity, healthcare regulation, and available resources, are best addressed through a combination of legislative and advocacy efforts that are difficult for individual practitioners to influence alone.
I enjoyed connecting with like-minded professionals across the West, from central to eastern Pennsylvania, and learning about challenges and what worked for them. These conversations go a long way to reassuring us that “we are not in a silo.” There are valuable educational resources, mentorship opportunities, and support networks that combat professional isolation and foster career development. I've built so many wonderful friendships along the way that I cherish.
In today's ever-changing landscape and technological advancements, more the reason we need to join forces, because the digital revolution brings both opportunities and challenges. Psychiatrists must become tech-savvy while advocating for legislation to address workforce shortages and patient-centered care. “Together we can make a difference”