LaSara is from Decatur, Georgia. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia before earning her graduate degree in Interdisciplinary Health Science from Drexel University College of Medicine. Before matriculating into medical school, LaSara served as a clinical research coordinator at the Atlanta VA, where she worked with female veterans affected by military sexual trauma secondary to PTSD in order to find novel treatment modalities. During that time her passion for psychiatry was solidified and she started medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine looking forward to being one step closer to fulfilling her calling. While in medical school, she became a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, served as Georgia’s state advocacy captain for the American Medical Association and led her school’s chapter of the Student National Medical Association.
Get to Know LaSara
- Hometown: Decatur, TX
- Professional Interests: Women’s Mental Health, Forensic Psychiatry, Interventional Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Advocacy and Health Policy
- Future Plans: Academics and private practice: LaSara plans to serve underserved communities in either an outpatient or inpatient setting with an emphasis on psychotherapy, patient education and awareness.
- Awards: President’s Leadership and Diversity Award
- Memberships: Gold Humanism Honor Society, APA, AMA, AOA
- Hobbies: Listening to podcasts and audiobooks, cooking new recipes from Pintrest, spending time with family on the Beltline, hiking, travelling and indulging in spa days
Education
- DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine- Georgia campus, 2024
- MS, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2013
- BS, University of Georgia, 2011
Publications
- Cardemil CV, Dahl R, Prill MM, Cates J, Brown S, Perea A, Marconi V, Bell L, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Rivera-Dominguez G, Beenhouwer D, Poteshkina A, Holodniy M, Lucero-Obusan C, Balachandran N, Hall AJ, Kim L, Langley G. (2021). COVID-19–Related Hospitalization Rates and Severe Outcomes Among Veterans From 5 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers: Hospital-Based Surveillance Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021;7(1):e24502