02/03/2026

Meet KPMA President-Elect, Dr. Jonathan Martin

Can you please let us know about yourself? 

Dr. Jonathan Martin: I grew up in London, Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky for my undergraduate in biology, followed by medical school and residency. After completing my training, I returned London, where I now live on a farm and work outpatient as Medical Director at Baptist Health Corbin. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, video games, reading, and bad reality television.

What inspired you to choose psychiatry as a career, and what continues to motivate you in this field today?

Dr. Jonathan Martin: I chose psychiatry after it was my first clinical rotation in medical school, and I found myself continually comparing every other rotation back to that experience. What drew me in was the ability to speak with patients on a more global level about things they genuinely understand and care about; their lives, relationships, and overall sense of meaning and direction. I also believe that when people feel better mentally, they tend to take better physical care of themselves and go to other appointments and take a more active role in their lives.

What do you find most fulfilling about working as a psychiatrist, both professionally and personally?

Dr. Jonathan Martin: The most fulfilling thing about working as a psychiatrist is seeing meaningful improvement, sometimes even profound transformation, in the people that I treat. Watching someone move from a place of significant struggle to living, functioning, and engaging in life that they did not previously see as a possibility, is incredibly rewarding. Seeing patients feel better, live better, and function better in their regular lives is what motivates me to continue personally and professionally.

What are some common misconceptions people have about psychiatry, and how do you address them in your work?

Dr. Jonathan Martin: Many misconceptions about psychiatry stem from unrealistic expectations and ongoing stigma patients, and sometimes even other professionals, may expect psychiatry to resolve problems that are outside of the scope of medical intervention and more related to life circumstances or lifestyle factors.  I addressed the situations by setting realistic expectations early, providing education about mental health and psychiatric care, and maintaining open, honest communication.  While stigma around mental health continues to improve, there is still significant work to be done.  In my experience, many concerns resolve after a few visits when stressed and rapport established.

What challenges have you faced in your psychiatric career, and how have they shaped your perspective or practice?

Dr. Jonathan Martin: Psychiatry, like all areas of medicine, comes with inherent challenges.  Limited access to care, hide patient demanding, and systemic constraints, particularly in role settings, require constant adaptation and collaboration.  These challenges have reinforced the importance of realistic goalsetting, patient education, and interdisciplinary team work.  They have also shared my approach to leadership, emphasizing advocacy for patients, support for colleagues, and thoughtful engagement with healthcare systems to improve access and quality of care.

What advice or message would you like to share with medical students or upcoming psychiatrists who are considering this path?

Dr. Jonathan Martin: I would encourage students and trainees to approach psychiatry with humanity.  Approach it with curiosity, humility, and openness.  It does require a certain level of comfort with the unknown, the incurable, and complex social and medical situations, but it also offers more in-depth patient centered relationships with the opportunity to make a profound impact on people's lives.  I think the most important thing to remember is that it is more about how you treat people, how you say things, and having a lot of understanding for someone else's situation.

 

Dr. Jonathan Martin, President-Elect, KPMA