Dr. Aqeel Hashmi completed residency from Baylor College of Medicine and is board certified in General Adult psychiatry with more than 25 years experience in the field. He has worked in several countries including the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. He has experience in the public and private sector; and he has mostly treated patients with severe and enduring mental illness. Forensic experience has included treating patients in secure and correctional settings. Dr. Hashmi is currently medical Director of a 72 bed free standing behavioral health facility. He has held a Faculty position at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He has previously been Medical Director of acute care services at Rusk State Hospital. He also practiced as a Royal College approved consultant in the United Kingdom; where he received National Health Service Clinical Excellence awards and the Patient's Council's Exceptional Mental Health Insight Award.  Dr Hashmi has an interest in medical education, and cultural and ethical issues in mental health; areas in which he has published.