B. Katherine Karlay is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated from Southern

University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science in Biology

and Minors in Chemistry and Spanish. She received a post-baccalaureate degree from Charles R.

Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles and a medical doctorate from

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. During medical school, she

served as the Student National Medical Association President. She also founded both the

Diversity Council and Students Advocating for Medical Equality. As an Albert Schweitzer

fellow, she provided weekly health education programs for homeless families.

A desire to serve vulnerable populations led her to a career in psychiatry. She graduated from the

University of Texas Southwestern General Psychiatry Residency in June 2024 with a

concentration in Interventional Psychiatry. During her residency, she completed the National

Neuroscience Curriculum Ambassador Fellowship and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha

Medical Honors Society. During her final year of residency, she aided in the development of the

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) program at Parkland Health and Hospitals. This program

provides ECT access to severely mentally ill patients within the public sector.

Dr. Karlay currently serves as an assistant professor of psychiatry, Medical Director of the

Parkland Electroconvulsive Therapy service, and an attending physician in the Parkland

Psychiatric Emergency Department. Dr. Karlay was recently selected for the 2024-2026 UTSW-

Parkland Health Equity Scholars Program. This program equips early career clinicians with the

tools and mentorship to support a sustainable health equity project.

Dr. Karlay is married with children. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her

family, skating, and traveling. She is an active volunteer in her church and community. She

enjoys engaging in community discourse regarding mental health to increase awareness and

mitigate stigma.