Dr. Torres graduated summa cum laude from the Burnett Honors College at the one and only University of Central Florida and subsequently received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Iowa. Dr. Torres then relocated back to the Sunshine State for his psychiatry residency which he completed at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and then served as Chief Resident at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center during the last year of his training. During his psychiatry residency, he pursued additional certifications in both Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Dr. Torres co-authored a chapter in The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine textbook, and he has original publications in several esteemed medical journals including Journal of Psychosomatic Research and Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.
Cara received Bachelor of Science degrees in both Health Education and Nursing from the University of Florida. She continued her studies at UF and subsequently received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a project focus on verbal de-escalation.
Cara worked at Circles of Care in Melbourne, Florida for over 7 years. She initially worked as a nurse/charge nurse and later transitioned into the role of psychiatric nurse practitioner on a very busy inpatient crisis unit. Cara also has experience with behavioral health treatment in the outpatient setting. While at Circles of Care, Cara had the opportunity to work with students attending the Florida Institute of Technology. Cara is passionate about teaching, working with students, promoting interdisciplinary care, and providing the highest quality behavioral health treatment.
Madeline Japp is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and then her Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University.
She brings over 6 years of clinical experience as a registered nurse to UCF, primarily serving the oncology population through various leadership roles. Madeline most recently worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in a private outpatient practice where she provided compassionate treatment to many complex patients across the lifespan. She is passionate about reducing the mental health stigma through teaching and education as well as ensuring mental health care is accessible to everyone.
In her free time, Madeline enjoys kayaking and exploring the different spring systems here in Central Florida with her husband and playing with her 10-year-old English Bulldog named Rosie.
Specialties: anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ issues
Dr. Badhwar graduated cum laude from Case Western Reserve University before completing a post-baccalaureate certificate at Drexel University College of Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, FL and completed her residency training at Wright State University in Dayton, OH. During her residency, not only did Dr. Badhwar serve as the Chief of Education, but she was also involved in professional presentations at both Wright State University and the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting.
Dr. Badhwar is passionate and enthusiastic about both college mental health and teaching. Her exceptional teaching skills were recognized during residency training, as she received both a Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award as well as an Excellence in Medical Student Teaching Award. After graduating from residency, Dr. Badhwar moved to Orlando with her husband and was eager to launch her career in college mental health. In addition to the services she provides at UCF, she continues to serve her psychiatry residency program as an Adjunct Faculty Member and Psychotherapy Educator.
Dr. Jacobs graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Psychology. He continued at George Washington University for his Doctor of Medicine (MD). Dr. Jacobs completed both a residency in General Psychiatry and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Prior to UCF, he worked at both the Miami VA Healthcare System and the Orlando VA Medical Center.
Dr. Jacobs is board-certified in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. He is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the UCF College of Medicine. Dr. Jacobs is passionate about college mental health and working with students. He strives to help students improve their well-being and the quality of their lives, as well as in achieving their full academic potential.