Department Spotlight: Dr MJ Yoo and Sam P
Learn more about the Department of Psychiatry Course Coordinators, Dr MJ Yoo and Sam P, including their work with the Master of Psychiatry and the Clinical Psychiatry Course.
Dr MJ Yoo
MBBS BMedSc MPsych PGCert Surg Sci (Edin) FRANZCP Cert Cons Liaison Psychiatry
Dr. MJ Yoo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, where she serves as Co-Course Coordinator for both the Master of Psychiatry and the Clinical Psychiatry Course. Alongside her academic role, she works clinically as a Consultant Psychiatrist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
MJ studied Medicine at the University of Melbourne and began her medical career in general surgery before transitioning to psychiatry, motivated by a growing interest in the complex relationship between mind and body. After completing her specialist training in psychiatry, she has continued to combine clinical practice with a strong commitment to teaching and research.
Her clinical and academic interests lie in general adult psychiatry, particularly at the interface between physical and mental health. MJ is an active contributor to psychiatric research, with publications in peer-reviewed journals. She is deeply committed to medical education and is passionate about supporting students to develop their clinical reasoning, skills, and confidence in psychiatric practice.
Learn more about Dr MJ Yoo and her work here.
Sam P
MBBS LLB MPsych GC-FBS GDipLegPrac FRANZCP CertForensicPsychiatry
Sam P is a Co-Course Coordinator for the department's Master of Psychiatry and the Clinical Psychiatry Course. He works in adult and youth custody as a forensic psychiatrist and a fellow-in-training in child and adolescent psychiatry. Through this, he assists with bridging care for people transitioning between these services. He has also worked in consultation-liaison psychiatry and acute general adult psychiatry.
Sam is a criminal defence solicitor experienced in appearing in indictable and summary matters, including for youth and for people with severe mental illness. Sam is practised at running contested intervention order hearings. He has appeared in County Court and Supreme Court matters. He has particular interest in how people with severe mental illness are considered by the criminal justice system.
Sam is an award-winning teacher in subjects ranging from psychiatric ethics, medicolegal law and forensic psychiatry. He is a researcher with interests in the rights of prisoners, comparative law, medical negligence and special populations in custody.