Zachary R. Patton, MD

Bio

Zack Patton, MD, is from Remington, Indiana and obtained his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. He will graduate from the IU Triple Board Program in June 2027. Why Triple Board at IU?Having trained at IU for medical school, I already knew what made this program special before I ever applied — the attendings are genuinely invested in your growth, approachable, and consistently go out of their way to open doors for you professionally. Staying at IU also meant staying close to home and family, which matters during the intensity of residency training more than I ever thought it would. And practically speaking, Indianapolis offers a cost of living that makes life during residency actually livable — something that's easy to underestimate until you're in it.  Involvement in tracks/leadership positions:I created and held the position of Triple Board Social Chair in my PGY 3 year to ensure that the TB program has regular, monthly gatherings together. The gatherings help us to socialize outside of work and also allow us to explore new places in Indianapolis we otherwise might have missed out on! I've also been involved in various education projects while at IU. I love teaching medical students and other residents, and IU certainly has helped to facilitate this.  Career plans:I am interested in practicing child psychiatry for children with chronic or complex physical illnesses. I feel this population is currently underserved for a variety of reasons and would like to start an inpatient unit or outpatient practice that can confidently specialize in accepting these kids. Highlights you've enjoyed thus far:A few things stand out. First, IU Health is one of the largest health systems in the country, which means genuine breadth of experience — whatever niche interests you, there's a pathway to explore it here. Second, Indianapolis itself is an underrated place to live. There are vibrant, affordable neighborhoods within a 10–15 minute drive of the hospitals, and the possibility of actually buying a home during or right after training is real in a way it simply isn't in most major cities. Finally, I've had two children during residency, and the program has been remarkably supportive. Between strong paternity leave policies and health insurance that's fully covered for residents, IU has made it possible to grow a family in residency training.  Outside of work:My focus is child psychiatry, and I'm actively exploring opportunities across inpatient, outpatient, and med-psych settings as I approach the end of training. One unexpected but invaluable part of my experience here has been the program's longstanding culture of supporting moonlighting. IU's openness in this area has allowed me to work within outside hospital systems, giving me real-world exposure to different practice environments — and helping me develop a much clearer sense of what I want (and don't want) in a career. That kind of applied, self-directed learning is rare in residency, and I consider it one of the most meaningful educational opportunities our program offers.