House Officer Mental Health Program (HOMHP)

Michigan Medicine's House Officer Mental Health Program has been in existence since 1996, providing a range of mental health services to a large number of house officers in all disciplines. We are committed to supporting house officers during this significant, rewarding, and often stressful stage of life. We evaluate and treat a broad spectrum of mental health and psychiatric needs, including: depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, stress management, interpersonal difficulties, and work-life balance issues, to name a few.

How to Schedule an Appointment

What to Expect When You Make an Appointment

Who We Are

Laura Andersen, M.D., MPH - Director, House Officer Mental Health Program

I arrived at medical school fresh out of undergraduate education and was immediately struck by my own naivete about the culture and intensity of medical training. Before our first anatomy exam, a new classmate anxiously confided her worry that if she couldn’t remember everything on this exam, she would never get the Step 1 score she wanted. I had never heard of Step 1 and was embarrassed to admit I had no idea what she was talking about. That naivete about the realities of medical training served me well in some ways, but the culture shock stayed with me. I had never considered psychiatry before entering medical school, but quickly fell in love with the specialty that allowed me the most time to spend with patients, consider their lives holistically, and think deeply about them as people. I completed my general adult psychiatry residency and child psychiatry fellowship here at University of Michigan, and initially stayed on as faculty full time on the inpatient child psychiatry unit. In 2022 I had the opportunity to move part time into the medical student and house officer mental health program, which has been deeply gratifying. Medical training is such a unique experience, with all its vulnerabilities, stresses, and opportunities. It has been an enormous privilege to work with medical students and house officers as they navigate this period of their lives.

I grew up in Delaware and attended University of Maryland for medical school and my MPH. I consider Michigan home now after being here over a decade, but still miss Baltimore and the east coast at times. Outside of work, I spend my time with my family and our neurotic dog, who keep me laughing and humbled in my inability to wrangle them.

Sarah Bommarito, M.D. – Faculty Psychiatrist

During medical school, psychiatry called to me through its emphasis on connecting with others and creating space for true understanding, ultimately leading to meaningful change. My work in this clinic has been particularly rewarding as supporting medical trainees in their personal and professional growth can be transformative. Medical training poses significant challenges that often cause us to feel isolated and to leave behind aspects of our individual identities, contributing to symptoms of burnout, depression, and anxiety. I aim to listen, understand, and collaborate with you to identify your personal values and develop an individualized treatment plan that honors and works toward those values, cultivating a greater sense of fulfillment during this uniquely demanding time.

I was born and raised in Michigan. I studied English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan, then attended Wayne State University for my master’s degree in Basic Medical Sciences and medical school. I returned to the University of Michigan for residency in general psychiatry, during which I also completed a one-year psychoanalytic psychotherapy fellowship through the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. My main clinical interests include medical trainee and physician mental health, anxiety disorders, and burnout interventions. In addition to my work in the House Officer Mental Health Program, I also direct the Anxiety Disorders Clinic, and I develop and facilitate wellness interventions for our psychiatry residents. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.

Laura Hirshbein, M.D., Ph.D. – Faculty Psychiatrist

I started medical school at the University of Michigan in 1989 and found that my naïve goal of wanting to help people slammed into the narrow and rigid socialization in medicine at the time. I fled after my second year and started a PhD program in the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, and then returned to Michigan to complete medical school. I picked psychiatry because I found that was the specialty that gave me the most opportunity to engage with people and to focus on patients’ stories. I completed my residency at the University of Michigan and have been on the faculty since 2001.

One of the things that has long concerned me about medicine is how often we forget to treat each other – and most especially ourselves – as human beings who have human differences and needs. We drive ourselves so hard, and the system drives us even harder. I learned a personally painful lesson in this during my own experience with a serious medical illness in 2021. I want for all of us to be able to be human, to take care of ourselves as well as our patients. I also think we need to work on developing a culture in which we can discuss our common humanity in a more open and compassionate way. Mental health care in this setting requires that we understand the culture we have – and the culture we deserve.

I am very fortunate to have a supportive family who remind me that it is okay to stop working. My dogs help with unconditional love, and my cats keep me oriented toward what matters most – their care and feeding. I enjoy reading, writing, and grappling with great questions.

Rachel Pacilio, M.D. – Faculty Psychiatrist

I was drawn to the field of psychiatry by my interests in neuroscience and psychopharmacology in combination with my desire to form meaningful connections with my patients. As a recent University of Michigan trainee, I understand the complexities of navigating the medical education system and the challenges that arise during this exciting but often stressful time during which many individuals struggle with their mental health in unique ways. I am passionate about physician and trainee mental health and wellness, so I find working with medical students and residents particularly fulfilling and I am grateful to be able to offer support to U of M trainees. I also spend time treating patients in the Partial Hospitalization Program and leading the Clinical Scholars Track for the adult psychiatry residency program. My other clinical and research interests include eating disorders, interventional psychiatry and treatment resistant mood disorders.

I am originally from Texas, but I am proud to now call Ann Arbor home. I received my undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX in Molecular & Cell Biology followed by medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. I completed my adult psychiatry residency training at University of Michigan and served as a chief resident. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my dogs, gardening, crocheting and traveling.

April Wesner – Administrative Specialist Associate

I am the Administrative Specialist Associate for The Mental Health Program. I have been a dedicated member of Michigan Medicine for over 14 years, including more than 4 years of experience in the psychiatry department. I am deeply passionate about the mental health field, and I take great pride in supporting the wellness of our patients and staff. In my personal time, I enjoy "filling my cup" through cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with my husband, two children, and our dog.

Jocelyn Provident-Wisniewski – Administrative Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

Prescribing Controlled Substance FAQ

Controlled Substance Information:

Agreement for prescription of controlled substance including sedative-hypnotics (ie benzodiazepines) or stimulants.

What should I know about this medication?

This controlled medication may help me manage my condition, but it is associated with risks, including potential for addiction. If anyone in my family has ever had drug or alcohol problems, I have a higher chance of getting addicted to these medications.

There are additional risks by medication type, such as:

Benzodiazepine and other sedative-hypnotic medications can cause:
Too much sedation, which may make it unsafe to operate heavy equipment while using them (like driving a car)
Increased risk of falls
With long term use they may cause physical dependence, which is different from abuse, and if your body is dependent on these medications, it may be dangerous to stop these medications abruptly
In combination with opioid medications, and/or alcohol, they may cause death

Stimulant medications (such as for ADHD) can cause:

High blood pressure
Fast or irregular heart beats
In rare cases, these medications have been linked to death in patients with heart disease. If you have a family history (or personal history) of heart disease, your provider may require a special test looking at how your heart beats (EKG/ECG) or refer you to a cardiologist prior to starting these medications.

I understand that:

My provider can only prescribe this medicine if I do not use illegal drugs.
If I decide to stop my medication, I will contact my doctor.
I will not abruptly stop a benzodiazepine that I have been using regularly
If I do not use this medication exactly as prescribed, I risk hurting myself and others.
I will not increase my medicine dose without being told to do so by my doctor.
I will take actions to securely store this medication. I know my medicine will not be replaced if it is stolen or lost and it will not be refilled early.
I will not share or give this medicine to other people.
My provider will check my prescription fill history and may call my pharmacy
If my provider decides that the risks outweigh the benefits of this medicine, my medicine will be stopped in a safe manner.
I know that unless my provider tells me otherwise, I need a scheduled appointment to get prescription refills.

What can I do to help?

When asked, I will give a urine and/or blood sample to help monitor my treatment.
I will attend appointments and complete tests (like labs or EKGs) set up by my doctor.
If I miss my appointments or lab tests/studies ordered by my doctor, it may not be safe for me to stay on this medicine.
Per clinical and regulatory guidelines, an office visit may be required before giving refills.
I will be on time for appointments. If I arrive late to an appointment for prescription refills, my appointment may be re-scheduled. I may not be given my prescription until I am seen by my doctor.

How can I get my prescriptions?

I can only get this prescription from my primary prescribing doctor's office.
I will not get controlled medications from other providers (including the Emergency Department), without checking with my primary prescribing doctor.
Refills will be given only during normal office hours. No refills will be given when the office is closed.

What are reasons for ending this agreement?

If I take more medication than is prescribed
If I fail to give requested urine or blood for testing, or if those tests fail
If I do not follow up on requested appointments or monitoring labs (blood draws, heart health monitoring like blood pressure checks, EKG)
I may not be able to be seen in this or any University of Michigan clinic if I am disruptive, disrespectful or threatening towards staff.

I understand that under State of Michigan law, the non-medical use of controlled substances (lying to get medications, giving or selling these medicines to others) is a crime and will result in termination of controlled medication treatment by Michigan Medicine.

How to Schedule an Appointment

What to Expect When You Make an Appointment

Who We Are

Frequently Asked Questions

Prescribing Controlled Substance FAQ

Local Resources

Self-Help Resources