September 2025

What a turnout for NAMIWalks 2025! Thank you to everyone who walked or supported our walking team! In addition to our departmental sponsorship, together we raised $1,415 to support NAMI Rochester's programs for those affected by mental illness!

Hosted by Patty Anuskewicz at her Ravenwood Farm, "Tea with Old Psych Chicks," a get-together of former and current healthcare providers from our Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), recently met up for drinks as well as a conversation about the past and connecting for the future.

On September 10th, we celebrated our Strong Behavioral Health (SBH) Health Home Care Management program with a 3rd annual outdoor picnic and potluck! Thank you for all you do to coordinate care and advocate for our patients!

Please join us in welcoming Madeline Penn as the new Business Administrator for our Acute Adult Psychiatry division. She is returning to Psychiatry in this role supporting our Adult Inpatient, Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency, Mobile Crisis, and Crisis Call Line programs.

We're excited to share that Aileen Aldalur, PhD has been named a recipient of a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)! This award will provide support for Dr. Aldalur's research into reducing suicide risk among Deaf adults.

Patients and staff recently filled the walls of the 4-9000 Child/Adolescent Inpatient unit with artwork.

Strong Recovery held its 4th Annual Health and Wellness Fair on September 19th. A big thank you to all who attended as well as to our community partners who provided information about recovery resources right in our neighborhood!

September 20th marked Addiction Professionals Day. On this day, we celebrated the dedication, compassion, and expertise of those who serve those impacted by substance use disorders.

Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, Co-Directors of the Firearm Injury Prevention Program, joined Ashley Smith from the Veterans Administration to talk about the role of secure firearm storage in suicide prevention at "Break the Silence," a conference fostering dialogue, education, and a sense of community around suicide prevention. 

The Memory Care Program recently dedicated the Patricia S. Fishman Family Room, which was made possible through the generosity of her loving husband, William Maniscalco, MD. The room will be used by patients, families, and clinicians.

Ben Lee, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, EJ Santos, MD, Clinical Chief of the Division of Geriatric Mental Health and Memory Care, and Dr. Maniscalco commemorated the naming with a ribbon cutting. 

Why Are Gun Suicides Soaring Among Older American Men?

Research from the Centers for Disease Control is finding that more and more older adults- especially men- are dying by gun suicide. Yeates Conwell, MD joined experts to talk with GQ on the factors driving this public health crisis.

For some researchers, allowing kids to explore the real world around them could be a way to get them off their phones. Michael Scharf, MD joined Hawa Ali, a student at Edison Tech, to talk about communication in the digital age and how families can make sure teens feel independent but safe to explore the real world.

Please see below for a list of some of the most recent publications from our faculty in September.

Psychiatry Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds occur every Wednesday at noon. Upcoming presentations include:

• Oct. 8: Prescription Addiction, Beyond Opioids
• Oct. 15: TBA
• Oct. 22: George Engel Research Rounds
• Oct. 29: Office of CCCA Rounds

Oct. 3-4 
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness is ringing in the Fall with a production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.The production features youth enrolled in the Creative Arts Therapy Program.

Oct. 4 
Out of the Darkness Walk

Our Center for the Study of Suicide Prevention will be walking at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Walk. Join us as we walk to raise awareness and honor those lost to suicide. 

Oct. 10
Building Safer Futures: Together We Will...

Chloe Lee, MD, Diane Morse, MD, Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, and Jennifer West, PhD will be among the presenters at Willow Domestic Violence Center's annual summit dedicated to fostering greater awareness and education on domestic violence. 

Oct. 14
Opioid Overdose Prevention Training

This training is designed for those interested in learning how to administer Narcan in the case of an opioid overdose.

Another session is also available on October 23. To register, contact Christina Collier via email or at 585-275-1829.

Nov. 5th Happiness Is... Bridge Art Gallery Reception

Mark your calendars for the next show in the Bridge Art Gallery, Happiness Is. . . 
This show, held in collaboration with Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness, features artwork from local youth.

When the Psychiatry Resident Has to Say Good-bye

Grace Ro, MD, a recent graduate of our Psychiatry Residency Program, published a paper about her time in Rochester and difficult goodbyes, especially between healthcare providers and their patients.