Today we’d like to introduce you to Akash Kumar.
Hi Akash, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a second generation immigrant born to two extremely hard working parents who sacrificed immensely not only for myself, but everyone around them. I learned that even with scarcity, we have much to give. I remember my mom not charging single mothers who were struggling when she ran a home day care; something she only did because we ourselves were struggling to pay the bills. I remember my father emphasizing to me how important it is to be a “gentleman”, which meant being kind to everyone no matter what. These things stuck with me.
In my youth, I realized quickly that you can’t understand the world that you look at without understanding the lens through which you see it. So that got me interested in psychology and epistemology. I was also a very good engineering student and had an interest in science. Specifically, physiology to me seemed like engineering of the body. So, all of that put together quickly led me to wanting to go to medical school, and from there psychiatry was the obvious choice.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I suppose I was bullied in school. I was definitely different. Not very smooth or quick socially, but technology came to me fast and easy. By 10th grade, I had contracts with various businesses and even the state of MI to implement networks, write databases, and train people double and triple my age in this new thing called “the internet”.
No one in psychiatry took medical insurance when I started, and I wanted to solve that problem. The few clinics that took Medicaid had abysmal customer service. So starting this psychiatric practice and trying to provide perfect customer service, while also paying my staff well, and accepting limited payments from medical insurance was INCREDIBLY challenging. It involved a lot of innovative back end work that patients never see but makes a huge difference. It also involved creating a practice culture where clerical employees are genuinely passionate about helping people the way I am. It was a learning curve, but totally worth it and now we are expanding across the country.
As you know, we’re big fans of Ann Arbor Psych (A Root Psych Company). For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We offer, I truly believe, the most thorough and thoughtful neurobiological evaluation in psychiatry. That means we look for root causes of psychiatric symptoms. We also do an advanced version of traditional medication management, meaning we utilize not only the usual medications for ADHD, depression, anxiety and bipolar; but also investigational treatments and newer medications which might require a bit of a fight with the insurance company. I’m proud we have an entire department just for fighting with insurance!
We also offer talk therapy (specializing in ADHD, Trauma, and Anxiety Disorders) and advanced medication management services.
I’m most proud of the clinical and administrative staff we have somehow picked up over the years. Just such a kind and quirky bunch.
What were you like growing up?
I was a dork. I played tennis, sang in choir, ran a computer business, participated in debate and built the first ever “yearbook on CD-ROM”!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://annarborpsych.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ann.arbor.psych/
