Resident Bios
Austin Labbé, MD - PGY4/Chief
Why LSU BR?
It’s hard to imagine a better training experience than the one I've had here. I had originally planned to consider LSU for residency simply because I'm from Baton Rouge, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that we have a really good thing going on here. Balance is a key word to describe Psychiatry at LSU - Baton Rouge and I think this is evident in a number of different ways. Our faculty are skilled at balancing kindness and positive reinforcement while still giving constructive feedback and practical guidance throughout our training. We also have a great balance between having autonomy in patient care while still having adequate supervision so we can learn by doing. The work-life balance in our program is important too and this is more than just lip-service. We have a special holiday coverage schedule for the last 2 weeks of the calendar year where everyone works either the week of Christmas or New Year's. As a result, we all get an extra week of vacation! I can't speak for everyone....but if you ask our residents, I think we'd all pick LSU - Baton Rouge again if given the choice.
Bio
I'm an LSU guy through and through - completed undergrad at LSU, medical school at LSU Health - Shreveport, and now residency back home in Baton Rouge. I enjoy hanging out with my wife (Gabrielle) and our canine son (Oakley), playing guitar, discussing Star Wars and LSU sports any chance I get, and spending Saturday nights in the Fall watching the Tigers play at the best venue in all of sports, Tiger Stadium!
Areas of Interest/Future Plans
Addiction, Mood disorders, Personality disorders.
Outpatient General Psychiatry
Alex Templin - PGY1
Why LSU BR?
When I was researching programs to apply for, I was initially struck by the transparency I found on the program's website. I felt that I had a decent understanding of the culture of the program well before interviewing simply because of that. When I did interview with the program and met some of the current residents and faculty, I felt that the compassion and sincerity I'd seen from the website absolutely translated to real life. I felt like I was having a conversation with everyone rather than being interviewed, and this approachability and nonjudgment from both the faculty and residents was exactly the environment I felt I could thrive in. The comradery between residents was a plus!
Bio
I was born and raised in Alabama and essentially lived all over the state. I was excited to move out to LA because it was like a breath of fresh air, somewhere finally different than AL. My husband and I bought a house here, and we both love it here so far! I spend most of my free time with him and our four cats, singing, collecting rocks/crystals/gemstones, and playing video games.
Areas of Interest/Future Plans
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy
Mariely Mejorado, MD - PGY4/Chief
Why LSU BR?
For me, I was looking for a place that could teach me aspects of psychiatry that are not always available in programs. Specifically, I wanted to learn about TMS, ECT, and Ketamine clinic treatment. We have all three! It was what I hoped for, and more. I didn't expect therapy training to be just so valuable. But now I even got the chance to lead my own therapy group as a fourth year. We also get other chances to build fourth year rotations; and now I get more opportunities to work with refugee patients. Being able to help my people is a great passion of mine and I feel fortunate that I am in an environment that fosters our dreams. We have some highly passionate, supportive, and kind faculty. Buena gente.
Bio
I'm from El Paso Texas originally. Undergrad at UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso). Go Miners! I went to medical school at UTMB-Galveston. I've made fast friends with my colleagues here and I find this has been a period of great personal and professional growth for me. It keeps going, so good thing we are life long learners!
Areas of Interest/Future Plans
I'm applying to Transgender Psychiatry Fellowship, fingers crossed!
Other interests include border medicine, LGBTQ+ health, Neuromodulation, trauma work
and personality disorders.
Reniesha Franklin, PGY2
As a proud small-town Louisiana native, I learned early on the importance of empathy and connection. After graduating from Xavier University of Louisiana, I spent several years working in laboratory science, refining my attention to detail and care. Now, as a psychiatry resident, I focus on providing empathetic care to underrepresented communities, particularly Black and LGBT+ populations. I chose LSU BR because I wanted to be part of a program that truly feels like a community—one that supports me not only in academic challenges but also through the ups and downs of daily life. When I’m not working, you can find me spending time with my pets, Sophie and Monk, or enjoying my hobbies—cooking, skating, and embroidery, a craft I picked up during residency. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue honing my skills and making a lasting impact through compassionate, inclusive care.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Our gradautes have a 100% fellowship match rate. Several of our graduates are now program faculty (5), some now call Louisiana home after residency, others were originally from Louisiana and still serve their home state. With graduates from all over, post-residency placement is very diverse.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowships - Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Maryland, California, Nevada, South Carolina
Addiction Psychiatry Fellowships - New York
Forensic Psychiatry Fellowships - Louisiana
CL Psychiatry Fellowships - Louisiana
Group/Private Practice/Telepsych - Louisiana, California, Tenneessee, Mississippi, Florida, Texas
Assertive Community Treatment - Louisiana
Academic medicine - Tenneessee, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia
Medical directors of psychiatric facilities and programs - New York
Integrated psychotherapy and med management - California, Louisiana, Florida