Electronic Spring 2025 | Issue 62
Member Spotlight: Dr. George Gianakakos, MD
Interview conducted by Dr. Sudhakar Shenoy, MD
In this edition of the Member Spotlight, IPS ECP (Early Career Psychiatrist), Dr. Sudhakar Shenoy, interviews IPS ECP Dr. George Gianakakos
1) Dr. Shenoy: Dr. Gianakakos, thank you for taking the time to chat with me! Your path to psychiatry is quite unique—you started out as a middle school science teacher before going to medical school. What was that transition like, and how did your experience in education shape the kind of psychiatrist you are today?
Dr. Gianakakos: Thanks, Dr. Shenoy! I always appreciate the opportunity to reflect on my journey. Teaching was my first real-world job, and I loved it. There’s something really special about helping young minds grasp new concepts and watching their confidence grow. However, I also saw firsthand how much mental health impacted my students' ability to succeed—not just academically, but in life. Many of my students were dealing with complex challenges, from trauma to learning differences, and I realized that there was a huge gap in mental health support for kids, particularly in underserved areas. That’s what ultimately pushed me toward psychiatry. My years in the classroom still influence my work today—I use a lot of those same skills in patient education, building rapport, and even in working with residents and medical students.
2) Dr. Shenoy: Teaching 7th and 8th graders is no small feat! You were part of Teach For America and even spent time teaching in France. What were some of the most valuable lessons you took from those experiences that still influence your work today?
Dr. Gianakakos: Oh, absolutely—middle schoolers will keep you on your toes! Teach For America taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of meeting people where they are. Every student had different needs, different motivations, and different struggles, and I had to figure out how to reach each one of them in a way that worked for them. That’s exactly what I do now with my patients.
My time teaching in France was a completely different experience—it was more about cross-cultural communication and learning how to step into a new environment with an open mind. It also reinforced the importance of language and how we communicate—something that’s incredibly relevant in psychiatry, where the way we phrase things can have a huge impact on patient trust and understanding.
I would add that one of the most important things I learned from both of those experiences was the enormous role your colleagues play in supporting you on a daily basis. Teaching, like practicing medicine, is a team sport, and I learn something new from the people I work with every day. I think this idea is reflected rather poetically in AACAP’s goal of “Bringing the Village to the Children.”
3) Dr. Shenoy: You’ve had an impressive academic journey—Northwestern University, a master’s in education, medical school at UIC, and then residency and fellowship. Was there a defining moment when you knew psychiatry, and specifically child and adolescent psychiatry, was the right fit for you?
Dr. Gianakakos: I felt like Psychiatry married my love for the art and science of medicine in one specialty and was, therefore, always on my radar. I’m the type of person with interests in so many things, and Psychiatry allows me to utilize my love for literature, philosophy, media, comedy, and even improv every time I work with patients. As a medical student at UIC, I had wonderful mentors, with Dr. Geri Fox taking a personal interest in my growth and development as a physician. She opened doors for me in the world of Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that allowed me to see how I could combine my strengths, interests, and experiences into a meaningful and rewarding career.
4) Dr. Shenoy: You’ve recently been elected to the Illinois Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ICCAP) Board of Directors. Congratulations! What motivated you to take on this leadership role, and what are your hopes for your time on the board?
Dr. Gianakakos: Thank you! It’s an honor to be part of ICCAP. My motivation really comes from wanting to make sure child psychiatrists have a strong voice in shaping mental health care policies and programs. I’ve seen firsthand how advocacy and professional collaboration can drive meaningful change, whether it’s expanding access to care, improving training programs, or addressing workforce shortages in child psychiatry.
During my time on the board, I hope to contribute to initiatives that support both our patients and our colleagues. I’m especially interested in addressing the increasing need for school-based mental health resources and ensuring that child psychiatrists are equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of telehealth.
5) Dr. Shenoy: You’re now an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Medical Center, working closely with residents and medical students. What do you enjoy most about teaching psychiatry, and what do you hope your trainees take away from their time working with you?
Dr. Gianakakos: Teaching is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job. I love watching residents and medical students grow—not just in their clinical skills, but in their confidence and ability to connect with patients. I hope that when they leave my rotation, they take with them the understanding that psychiatry is as much about listening as it is about diagnosing and treating.
I also try to emphasize the importance of curiosity. Psychiatry is a field that is constantly evolving, and I want my trainees to feel comfortable questioning, learning, and adapting. And of course, I want them to know that it’s okay to have fun—psychiatry is serious work, but we should also find joy in what we do.
6) Dr. Shenoy: You have a strong passion for transgender mental health and increasing mental health resources in schools. What do you see as the biggest challenges in these areas, and how can psychiatrists help bridge the gaps in care?
Dr. Gianakakos: The biggest challenge in both areas is access to knowledgeable, affirming care. For transgender youth, finding mental health providers who are trained in gender-affirming care can be incredibly difficult, and we know that lack of access directly impacts mental health outcomes. Similarly, in schools, there’s often a huge gap between the need for mental health support and the resources available.
Psychiatrists can play a big role in advocacy, education, and collaboration. Whether it’s training school staff, consulting on best practices, or pushing for policies that support inclusive and accessible care, we have an opportunity to make a real difference.
7) Dr. Shenoy: Psychiatry is such a demanding field. How do you stay grounded and maintain a sense of balance in your personal and professional life?
Dr. Gianakakos: I think the key to balance is having activities that truly bring you joy and making time for them, even when things get busy. Thankfully, psychiatry is a field that can offer a wonderful work-life balance if you so choose, and I definitely take advantage of that! Working out during the week does wonders for my physical and mental health, but prioritizing time spent with friends and family brings my life the most joy and meaning.
8) Dr. Shenoy: Looking back at your journey so far, what advice would you give to medical students or early career psychiatrists who are trying to find their own path?
Dr. Gianakakos: Stay open to unexpected opportunities. You never know what experience is going to shape your life and career in ways you didn’t anticipate. And most importantly—stay connected to the people you’ve met along the way. At the end of the day, psychiatry is about people. Keep that at the heart of what you do, and you’ll always find fulfillment.
9) Dr. Shenoy: You’ve been actively involved in the Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS). What do you find most valuable about being part of this organization, and how has it helped you in your career?
Dr. Gianakakos: One of the best things about IPS is the sense of community it provides, especially for early career psychiatrists. Transitioning from training to becoming an attending physician can be a big adjustment, and IPS has been a great way to build a social and professional network outside of my workplace. Through the Early Career Psychiatrists (ECP) Committee, I’ve had the chance to connect with colleagues who are at a similar stage in their careers, share experiences, and support one another as we navigate this next phase.
The social events and networking opportunities, like the ECP social get-togethers, have been particularly valuable. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of clinical work, but having a space to engage with peers, exchange ideas, and just unwind has made a big difference. IPS also offers opportunities for mentorship, advocacy, and professional development, which have helped me feel more integrated into the broader psychiatric community in Illinois. It’s been a great way to stay connected and continue growing both personally and professionally.
