Biography
Dr. Sowar was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, and received a B.A. degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from University of Colorado Boulder (2005.). She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Colorado at Anschutz (2009.). Following her MD degree she completed an internship in Family Medicine at the Santa Rosa (CA) Family Medicine program. She then transferred to University of New Mexico for her General Residency in Psychiatry, followed by a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Personal Statement
Dr. Sowar has a passion for medical education and mentorship; she is excited about her roles as Interim Program Director for Psychiatry General Residency, and Program Director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at UNM. She has been involved in medical teaching and supervision throughout her training and faculty time in multiple realms. Clinically, she has most interest in care for individuals with eating disorders (adult and children;) she has an outpatient psychiatric clinic for these patients, and is working to expand eating disorder knowledge and services amongst the University. She also serves as the Director for Wellness Initiative for Graduate Medical Education at UNM, and as a primary liaison for the consideration of electroconvulsive therapy in children and adolescents.
Areas of Specialty
Specialization #1: Eating Disorders
Specialization #2: Medical Education
Specialization #3: Electroconvulsive therapy in children and adolescents
Specialization #4: Emergency Child Psychiatry
Specialization #5: Mentorship
Certifications
Certification #1: Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Certification #2: Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry Certification #3: Electroconvulsive Therapy
Achievements & Awards
Child Psychiatry Fellows' Teaching Award, 2021
Teaching Excellence Award, 2020
Teaching Excellence Award, 2019
Key Publications
Journal Article
Sowar, Kristina, Thurber D, Vanderploeg JJ, Haldane EC. Psychiatric Community Crisis Services for Youth. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 27 (3,) 479-490
Gender
Female
Languages
- English
Courses Taught
Positive Psychology in Cinema - UNM Medical Students 2014-2016