Tagging along when her mother took nursing courses had a profound impact on Dr. Ambrie Davis. That kindled her appetite for a career as a doctor. During medical school, her interests focused on psychiatry, specifically helping underserved populations suffering from serious mental illnesses.

Ambrie Davis, M.D.

What this award means: The recognition was both unexpected and deeply affirming. It underscores the importance of the work I’ve undertaken throughout medical school within psychiatry, a specialty for which I have a fervent passion.

Mentor comment: With an ever-growing need for brilliant, compassionate, and dedicated experts in psychiatry, Ambrie Davis exemplifies each of these virtues. Her time at UT Southwestern was defined early by a tireless devotion to education and clinical excellence. – Chadrick Lane, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and in the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

Background and family: My family is originally from Louisiana, but I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. As an only child, I was involved in a lot of extracurricular activities – from gymnastics, cheer, and volleyball to playing violin for the regional orchestra and modeling/acting. My dad is in the aerospace industry and my mom is a nurse. I am also very close to my grandpa and grandma, who live in Louisiana and retired after working as a firefighter and a teacher, respectively.

What led to your career path: I developed an early interest in medicine as a child when I accompanied my mom to her nursing courses. What she learned interested me, and she encouraged me to become a doctor. I have always been an outgoing, curious, and studious person who works best as an idealist and team leader. During my undergraduate and graduate public health work with the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force, I saw that as a physician, I could address the big questions I had about society’s impact on individuals’ health and help people along the way. Once I entered medical school, I was immediately drawn to psychiatry because it inherently involves seeing patients through a multidimensional framework. I also appreciated the welcoming environment that this field has cultivated within medicine.

College: I graduated from UT Austin with a Bachelor of Science in public health. I participated in the University Fashion Group, showcasing my modeling skills in the annual fashion show. I also was Recruitment Chair for the Texas Infinites spirit organization, where I was recognized for accumulating the highest number of service hours in a semester. Furthermore, I mentored 18-25 incoming freshmen.

UTSW activities: I held positions that included Vice President of Psychiatry Student Interest Group (Psych SIG), Student National Medical Association C.V. Roman Liaison, and PRIDE Social Chair. Additionally, I played a key role in co-founding a therapeutic arts elective, serving as co-Course Director and Communications and Recruitment Chair, and I volunteered at North Dallas Shared Ministries Food Pantry. Most notably, I was deeply involved in medical education by tutoring students in their pre-clerkship courses, developing an anti-racism curriculum for the psychiatry clerkship, and serving as a mentor to pre-clerkship students.

Surprising fact: People are often surprised to know I have self-studied Japanese for over two years and have an 880-day streak on Duolingo.

Future plans: After residency, I plan to complete a forensic fellowship and practice as a forensic psychiatrist in a state hospital system. I have a passion for working with underserved populations suffering from serious mental illness, specifically psychosis and personality disorders. I also hope to address structural issues that exacerbate mental illness through advocacy and policy work.

About the award: The award honors a student for excellent work in psychiatry and mental health.