Channing James, MD

What is your practice philosophy? Listen to your patients and they will tell you what they need.  

What are you passionate about? And why? I am passionate about health equity and increasing access to mental health treatment in the Twin Cities.  

If I wasn’t a provider, I would be a: Running a bookstore because I love to read and share books with others.  

Why did you become a provider? When did you know this was the career for you? It may sound cliché, but I became a doctor to help others. I value social justice, and neuroscience is a very interesting and ever-growing field. Psychiatry is a field where I am lucky enough to engage with both. 

Something I have learned from my patients is: I have learned that every patient is different and while diagnoses for two people may be the same, a treatment regimen needs to specific to each individual person.  

One of the challenges of this career that I enjoy is (and why): No two days in this career are ever the same. Every patient and their experience is unique.   

My personal health goal is: My goal is to run around Bde Maka Ska without needing to stop or pause. 

What is the best thing you’ve done for your health or the best health advice you’ve received? I am so glad I gave running a chance. It has been great for both my physical and mental health.  

What are you most proud of? I am proud that I am the first person in my family to graduate from medical school.  

What are a few of your personal achievements? I was able to teach a workshop on race along with my colleague geared toward psychiatric residency program directors.