Meet Our Team | MedStar Georgetown University Hospital | MedStar Health
Mayada Akil

Mayada Akil, MD

Program Director, Psychiatry Residency Training Program 


Mayada Akil, MD, is the Vice Chair for Education and Director of the Psychiatry Residency Training Program. She also serves as the Medical Director of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinic. Dr. Akil trained in psychiatry at the University of Michigan. She was on faculty in the departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh from 1989 to 1996 where she was involved in clinical work teaching and research. Dr. Akil joined the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) where she conducted research on the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders then served as a Senior Advisor to the NIMH Director from 2003-2012. She joined the Department of Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in March of 2007. Dr. Akil is nationally known for her work in neuroscience education in psychiatry. She is actively involved in teaching medical students and psychiatry residents.

Shaheja Bandealy

Shaheja Bandealy, MD

Associate Training Director, Psychiatry Residency Training Program


Dr. Shaheja Bandealy is the Associate Program Director and also a graduate of our program. She is an outpatient psychiatrist at both Medstar Georgetown and Medstar Washington Hospital Center with special interests in collaborative care, telepsychiatry and community psychiatry. Joining the residency leadership team in 2019, Dr. Bandealy has developed an antiracism curriculum for our training program and co-leads the department’s Anti-Racist Psychiatrist Curriculum Development Committee.
Martekour Dodoo

Martekuor Dodoo, MD

Associate Training Director, Psychiatry Residency Training Program


Martekuor joins us as an Associate Program Director after having graduated from both our Psychiatry Residency Program and CL Fellowship. She received her undergraduate degree in the biologic basis of behavior, with a minor in psychology, from the University of Pennsylvania. She went on to receive a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she remained to complete her medical degree. She then joined our department as a general psychiatry resident in 2018, and served as hospital chief resident at MGUH during her PGY-4 year. As a resident, she was also selected for the Global Health Track, and was appointed to the MHRI Institutional Review Board. Martekuor plans to practice in both hospital and outpatient settings, with a focus on integrated care models. She is passionate about using her training in consultation-liaison psychiatry and global health to work in resource-limited environments, both in the United States and abroad.

Beth Sweeney

Beth Sweeney

Program Administrator, Psychiatry Residency Training Program

Beth Sweeney is the Program Administrator for the residency. She joined us after working in Alaska as the Program Manager for the Alaska Family Medicine Residency. Beth’s education includes a BS in Business from Miami University, a MA in Intercultural Management from the School for International Training, and a MA Certificate in Health Administration from The George Washington University School of Public Health. She is a Certified Intrinsic Health and Wellbeing coach, a Certified Highlands Ability Battery Consultant and Executive Function coach. She is very passionate about global health and resident wellness in general.

Sarah Amer

Sarah Amer

Associate Coordinator, Psychiatry Residency Training Program

Sarah Amer graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Human Nutrition and a minor in Psychology. She currently serves as the Associate Program Coordinator for MedStar Georgetown's Psychiatry Residency Program. She is also the Project Manager for MedStar Washington Hospital Center's Department of Psychiatry. Beyond work, she enjoys reading, outdoor walks, and cherishing moments with her family and friends. Her overarching goal is to make meaningful contributions to others' well-being, professionally and personally, aspiring to have a positive impact in healthcare.