Today we’d like to introduce you to Amr Beltagui.
Amr, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The cold air slapped my face, the wind dared me to move forward, and the snow beneath my feet threatened to swallow me. This was certainly a long way from my warm and sunny home in Alexandria, Egypt. But I had no choice but to continue to move forward. I had just graduated from medical school in Egypt, gathered all my savings, and moved to this country in pursuit of better opportunities in the field of psychiatry. I sought to get accepted into a psychiatry externship program. I sent out applications everywhere and got no response, but I wasn’t about to quit. I literally started to pound the pavement. I had no car at the time and not much money for transportation. Fortunately, I was in good health, and so I walked to every one of the sites where I had applied. I wanted them to put a face to my application and wanted these hospitals to see my commitment, passion, and perseverance. Eventually, on one cold winter day, I walked into a hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, and was granted an interview.
A year later, I had finished my externship and was granted admission into a psychiatry residency program in Buffalo, New York. During my four years as a resident, I developed a deep passion for mood and anxiety disorders. After graduation, I began practicing as an inpatient adult psychiatrist. Then, I tried my hands at outpatient psychiatry. All the while, I wanted to find innovative ways to help my patients. I saw too many of my patients struggle through conventional methods of treatment. That’s when I learned about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. I became convinced that TMS therapy was how I could make a difference in my patients’ lives. So I joined the Duke University Medical Center’s TMS fellowship. Following that, I received another TMS certification from Harvard Medical School. Finally, in 2019, I was able to open up my own TMS practice in Los Angeles, California.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started my practice in late 2019, but little did I know that a global pandemic would change everything about life as we knew it. Like most businesses, my practice really suffered during this time. Many of my patients were hesitant to seek treatment during the initial lockdown and then following each of the surges that hit California.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about New Dawn TMS Psychiatry?
As everyone struggles with the current pandemic, I am very grateful to have my practice. At New Dawn TMS Psychiatry, every day is an opportunity to help someone. I see and deal with a multitude of mental health issues on a daily basis. With the challenges brought on by COVID-19, I have incorporated telemedicine into my practice to help patients receive mental health care from the comfort and safety of their homes. I conduct a thorough assessment for each of my patients so that I can create a personalized treatment plan. My approach is generally multidisciplinary and can include medications, psychotherapy, and TMS, when appropriate.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My parents have always been my mentors and champions. From a young age, they pushed me to excel, encouraged my passions, and taught me to persist in the face of adversity. Although not psychiatrists themselves, I could always count on their advice and support during my long journey to become a psychiatrist. Their wisdom guided me through many difficult situations and their encouragement boosted my morale whenever I felt like giving up.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.newdawntmspsychiatry.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newdawntmspsychiatry
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewDawnTMS
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwCayGxTUzOjUFzXH3RAD7g
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-dawn-tms-psychiatry-los-angeles
What to check out next:
Aleasha Bahr is a sales & marketing strategist known for showing introverts and ambiverts the Secret Art of Subtle Selling. She personally sold millions in revenue while discovering introverts are usually top sales people – as soon as they stop trying to act like extroverts. We’ve partnered with her to produce Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories. Check out episode 1 below:
