Meet Chelsie Napier, CUNY Medical Student and SHARE Learner
It’s summer at Silver Hill and we’re thrilled to welcome a new cohort of medical students each month. Gracing the campus this August were Chelsie Napier (CUNY), John Kaba (SUNY), and Eric Vilsmark (Quinnipiac).
Take a minute to meet Chelsie:
When did you decide to go to medical school?
I decided to pursue medical school during my senior year of high school. My interests had always leaned toward psychology and neuroscience, but medicine wasn’t initially on my radar since no one in my family had ever pursued it. However, while applying to colleges, a mentor who was reviewing my application noticed that all my intended majors aligned with careers in medicine. He asked if I had ever considered becoming a physician, and it was the first time someone had spoken that possibility into my life. With encouragement from both him and my principal at the time, I began to see medicine as a natural fit. It was a way to merge my intellectual passions with my desire to serve others and help change lives.
When/how did you decide that you wanted to be a psychiatrist?
I knew I wanted to pursue psychiatry early in my third year of medical school. During my rotation, I felt drawn to patient stories in a way I hadn’t experienced on any other service. I found deep fulfillment in helping people name what they were feeling and begin the work of healing. Growing up in a Jamaican household where mental health wasn’t openly discussed, I saw how silence and stigma shaped the way people suffered. Psychiatry felt like the space where I could merge my scientific curiosity with my desire to serve communities like my own…with empathy, cultural humility, and lasting impact. It didn’t feel like a decision so much as a return to something I’d always been drawn to.
How have you been spending your time at Silver Hill Hospital? Do you have any insights or initial reactions to the work that you are doing?
At Silver Hill, I’ve been rotating across the inpatient adolescent unit, the K-House residential program, and admissions. One of my biggest takeaways has been how deeply the clinicians here value seeing each patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. There’s a culture of honoring each individual’s complexity, which has really impacted the way I think about psychiatric care. I’ve observed how thoughtfully providers at Silver Hill listen before labeling. It’s shown me the importance of leading with compassion and curiosity, which I hope to carry forward into my own career.
Do you have a favorite spot on campus?
Definitely! It’s a tie between the labyrinth and the seats in front of the chapel. I love taking my lunch or virtual meetings there. It’s peaceful, reflective, and gives me a chance to enjoy a level of quiet and nature I don’t often get living in New York.
What are your plans after you finish up at Silver Hill Hospital?
After wrapping up my time at Silver Hill, I’ll be starting a NICU rotation at Saint Barnabas Hospital in New York while putting the finishing touches on my psychiatry residency applications. But before I dive into that next step, I’m looking forward to a much-needed reset at my family’s annual summer barbecue around Labor Day.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time (such as it is)?
In my free time, I love creating ceramic pieces! It’s one of the few activities that helps me fully unplug. My favorite method is coiling, which feels almost meditative. I usually pair it with a good R&B playlist, and for those few hours, everything else fades into the background. It’s become a small but powerful form of self-care for me.