Psychiatry@YaleHeader08192011

June 2017 LinkedIn Button 16Facebook IconTwitter Icon 

Kleber receives Yale Psychiatry Distinguished Alumni Award at APA

 

Herbert D. Kleber, MD, center, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University and former Professor of Psychiatry at Yale, was presented with the Yale Psychiatry Distinguished Alumni Award at the department's annual Alumni Reception on May 22 during the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in San Diego, Calif. Presenting the award to Kleber was Kathleen M. Carroll, PhD, Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry. At right is Robert M. Rohrbaugh, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Deputy Chair for Education and Career Development. Click here to view more photos 

Aghajanian presented with CINP Pioneer Award

George Aghajanian, MD, left, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, was presented with a Pioneer Award from The International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP) on May 5 at the Connecticut Mental Health Center. John H. Krystal, MD, Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Professor of Neuroscience and Chair of the Yale Department of Psychiatry, accepted the award on Aghajanian's behalf last year at the 30th CINP World Congress in Seoul, Korea. Krystal is President of CINP. The award recognizes researchers who have made major contributions to the field. Read more 

Genetic basis of some cases of Tourette's disorder discovered

Thomas Fernandez, MD, Assistant Professor in the Child Study Center and the Yale Department of Psychiatry, is co-lead author of a study published in the journal Neuron that analyed the protein-coding genes of more than 500 Tourette disorder patients and unaffected parents. The researchers identified one "high confidence" risk gene found in patients but not their parents, and three other "probable" risk genes that contribute to Tourette. They say the spontaneous mutations are involved in about 12 percent of cases. Read more 

Combination approach may help combat autism

Avram Holmes, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology and of Psychiatry, collaborated on a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that looked at the hormone oxytocin and its impact on children with autism spectrum disorders. Researchers determined oxytocin may benefit those children if receptors for opioids -- brain chemicals activated by drugs such as heroin that tend to disconnect people socially -- are also blocked. Read more  

Yale study challenges 'self-medication' hypothesis of smoking, schizophrenia

Douglas L. Boggs, PharmD, Associate Research Scientist in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, was the first author of a study conducted with Yale colleagues that tested the hypothesis that people with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes more than the general population to "self-medicate" cognitive deficits and other symptoms. The study, published in the journal Schizophrenia Research, examined the effects of smoking abstinence and resumption on cognition in patients with schizophrenia. Read more 

Gallego study examines use of alcohol, drugs by transgender adults

Joseph Gallego, MD, a first-year resident in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, is the co-author of a study published in The Journal of Primary Prevention that examined demographics, sexual orientation, gender characteristics, and gender minority stress and their association to excessive alcohol, cannabis, and illcit (noncannabis) drug use among 1,210 transgender adults living in the United States. Gallego and his co-authors conducted the study while he was a medical student at Mayo Medical School. Read more 

Yale study: Chest physicians split on pros and cons of e-cigarettes

Benjamin Toll, PhD, Lecturer in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, is among the authors of a study published in the Journal of Smoking Cessation that surveyed chest physicians about their experiences with e-cigarette users and their opinion about the products. The study found that physicians are divided about whether e-cigarettes do more harm than good in people who are trying to quit smoking. Study authors say the finding demonstrates the need for more research on e-cigarettes to help physicians counsel their patients who smoke. Read more  

Yale authors publish review of pharmacological treatments of methamphetamine addiction

Javier Ballester Gonzalez, MD, a fellow in the Yale Department of Psychiatry's Addiction Psychiatry program, is the first author of a review published in the journal Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology that summarized pharmacological treatments of methamphetamine addiction. His co-authors were Gerald Valentine, MD, Clinician in Psychiatry, and Mehmet Sofuoglu, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry. The review provided a summary of clinical trials and human studies on the pharmacotherapy of methamphetamine use disorder. Read more 

Cyrus: Medical education and the minority tax

Kali Cyrus, MD, Chief Resident of the Yale Department of Psychiatry, is the author of an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that references challenges faced by members of multiple-minority groups and minority faculty. "As students, residents, and physicians, we have a stake in the enrichment of diversity within our medical community," Cyrus wrote. "One does not have to be black, lower class, gay, or disabled to help foster diversity, inclusion, and equity." Read more 

Annamalai authors 'Medical Management of Psychotropic Side Effects'

Aniyizhai Annamalai, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Yale Adult Refugee Clinic, has written the book, "Medical Management of Psychotropic Side Effects." The book is a reference for psychiatrists when treating patients for medical issues, and covers a wide range of conditions, from thyroid disorders to cardiac disease. Each chapter discusses management of a particular medical problem or side effect, and then provides a summary and flowchart of the major points highlighted in that chapter. Read more 

Addy joins Study Section at NIH

Nii Addy, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Principal Investigator at the Addy Lab at Yale, has been invited to serve as a member of the National Institutes of Health's Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior (NMB) Study Section, Center for Scientific Review. He will review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make recommendations on the applications to appropriate NIH national advisory councils or boards, and survey the status of existing research work. His term begins July 1, 2017, and ends June 30, 2023. Read more  

Isom elected to serve on Assembly Committee of Area Resident-Fellow Members

Jessica Isom, MD, MPH, a second-year resident in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, has been elected to serve on the Assembly Committee of Area Resident-Fellow Members (ACORF) for the American Psychiatric Association. Isom will represent Area 1, which comprises psychiatric societies in New England and Eastern Canada. Membership on the committee is open to any resident or fellow within Area 1. Appointments were voted on during the APA Assembly meeting, which occurs before the APA Annual Meeting. Read more  

Javier elected to represent region in PsychSIGN

Frances Grace Javier, an MD candidate with the Class of 2018 at Yale School of Medicine, has been elected to represent the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada in the Psychiatry Student Interest Group Network (PsychSIGN). The election was held May 20 at PsychSIGN's 12th annual National Conference in San Diego, Calif. As Regional Chair, Javier will manage student membership in the region and host a regional conference in the fall. She will also help to organize the annual spring conference. Read more  

Kerns receives clinical investigator award from American Pain Society

Robert D. Kerns, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and of Psychology, has received the 2017 Wilbert E. Fordyce Clinical Investigator Award from the American Pain Society. The award recognizes and honors career achievement in clinical research on pain. Kerns recently retired from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs after over 37 years of government service. The American Pain Society is a professional and scientific organization whose members research and treat pain, and advocate for patients with pain. Read more  

Bojarski receives 2017 Power Day Award at YSM ceremony

Emeric Bojarski, MD, a fourth-year resident in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, received the 2017 Power Day Resident Award at the Yale School of Medicine's Power Day Award ceremony May 12 at Harkness Auditorium. The award is given to a resident nominated by students in the second- and third-year medical class who models the responsible, positive, and beneficial use of power in healthcare relationships, and who serves as a true role model for the medical student community. Read more  

Presentation judged best among fellows at ASAM Educational

Kathleen Broad, MD, a fellow in the Yale Department of Psychiatry's Addiction Psychiatry program, won the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Educational competition for best presentation by a fellow. The competition was held May 17, and the title of Broad's slideshow presentation was "Wet, Damp or Dry: Understanding Alcohol Regulation in the Canadian Arctic." Broad presented her experiences of providing psychiatric outreach to a fly-in "dry community" in Nunavut, Canada. Read more 

Alexander-Bloch, Taylor named Detre Award recipients

Aaron Alexander-Bloch, MD, PhD, left, and Joseph J. Taylor, MD, PhD, right, both second-year residents in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, have been named recipients of the 2017-18 Thomas P. Detre Fellowship Awards in Translational Neuroscience Research in Psychiatry. The awards support translational research endeavors of residents enrolled (or interested in enrolling) in the Neuroscience Research Training Program in Psychiatry. Recipients are provided with up to $30,000 in support of their projects and training. Read more 

Tsai guest edits special issue of Psychological Services on homelessness

Jack Tsai, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, is the guest editor of a special issue of the journal Psychological Services titled, "Homelessness Among Veterans, Other Adults, and Youth." The issue contains 18 articles about homelessness, and includes writing by other Yale faculty and affiliates. Tsai is affiliated with the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs organization which works to promote recovery-oriented care for veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessnes. Read more 

Yale Psychiatry delegation lobbies on Capitol Hill

Yale Department of Psychiatry residents Nkemka Esiobu, MD, left; Luming Li, MD, second from left; and Jessica Isom, MD, right, joined John H. Krystal, MD, Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Professor of Neuroscience and Chair of the Yale Department of Psychiatry in Washington, D.C., on May 12 to lobby lawmakers to protect consumer access to behavioral health in the proposed American Health Care Act of 2017. The delegation visited the offices of eight Senators. Read more 

Research group at West Haven VA seeks to bolster membership

A new research group at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven seeks new members. The members have common interests in research methods related to Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), and discuss new technologies for data collection and review current study programs. They meet the first Friday of every month. Anne Black, PhD, left, Research Scientist in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, and Suzanne Decker, PhD, right, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, launched the group. Read more  

Srihari featured in NPR report on mental health care for young adults

A recent National Public Radio segment focused on how to improve systems of care for young people with new onset mental illnesses included an interview with Vinod Srihari, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry. Srihari directs the Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) program at the Connecticut Mental Health Center and MindMap campaign, which uses social and mass media to reach youth and families in Greater New Haven confronting the recent onset of psychotic illness. Read more 

Surviving genocide: Storytelling and ritual help communities heal

Andres Barkil-Oteo, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry who works with Doctors Without Borders, is featured in a Science Magazine story about refugees from Iraqi Kurdistan who fled to Greece to avoid being massacred or tortured by Islamaic State group fighters. Barkil-Oteo has worked with the refugees in Greece, and told the magazine the traditional Western model of individualized psychological treatment is not always adequate. "The problem is collective. How do you treat a community?" he said. Read more 

Averill awarded AFSP research grant

Lynnette Averill, PhD, Associate Research Scientist in Psychiatry, has been awarded a research grant by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The grant will fund Averill's project, "Brain Connectivity Networks and Predictors of Rapid Improvement in Suicidal Ideation Among Veterans." Representatives from AFSP stated in a letter to Averill that the project "is an important study examining potential contributors to suicide ... veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder are at high risk for suicidal behavior." Read more  

Alumni Spotlight

Former faculty member Elinore F. McCance-Katz nominated for federal post

Elinor F. McCance-Katz, MD, PhD, an Assistant and Associate Professor in the Yale Department of Psychiatry from 1991 to 1998, was nominated by President Donald Trump to be Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the Department of Health and Human Services. McCance-Katz is the Chief Medical Officer for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals. She is also Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and Professor of Behavior and Social Sciences at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Read more 

Alumni, please submit your news and updates to psychiatry@yale.edu

Clinical Faculty Picnic held at Eli Whitney Museum

Dozens of faculty and family members enjoyed pizza (catered by the Big Green Pizza Truck) and good conversation at the Yale Department of Psychiatry's annual Clinical Faculty Picnic on May 7 at the Eli Whitney Museum. A special thank you to Harvey Ruben, MD, and his wife, Diane Ruben, for organizing and being so supportive of the event.

Consultation Center presents awards for outstanding contributions that support its mission

The Consultation Center on May 18 presented awards for outstanding contributions that support the mission of the center to promote health and wellness, prevent mental health and substance abuse problems, and enhance equity and social justice. The Award for Individual Excellence was presented to Kenneth Harris, second from right, Director of New Haven Healthy Start. Dr. Jo Hawke, second from left, accepted the Award for Organizational Excellence on behalf of FAVOR, Inc. Hawke is the organization's Executive Director. With Hawke and Harris are, from left, Joy Kaufman, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Program and Service System Evaluation at The Consultation Center; Jacob Tebes, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology) and Director of The Consultation Center; and Derrick Gordon, PhD, Associate Professor Term and Director of Research, Policy and Program on Male Development at The Consultation Center. Read more 

Department participates in Medical Education Day at Yale

The Yale Department of Psychiatry was well represented at Yale School of Medicine's annual Medical Education Day on May 18. Sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Center, the half-day conference featured speakers, posters, and discussions. It was open to Yale faculty, alumni, fellows, residents, students, and staff from the Schools of Nursing and Medicine, including the Physician Associate Program. See more photos 

Department sponsors Brain Education Day at Yale

Richard Crouse, BS, a graduate student in the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program at Yale, wears a T-shirt advertising Brain Education Day, which was held at The Anlyan Center at Yale School of Medicine on March 19. The Yale Department of Psychiatry was a sponsor of Brain Education Day, which drew 80 middle and high school students enrolled in the Pathways to Science program, which opens opportunities for students to explore science at Yale. At Brain Education Day, students met Yale neuroscientists and students, listened to lectures, and performed hands-on experiments.

Connecticut Mental Health Center featured in TV report on JFK's efforts to change mental health treatment

The Connecticut Mental Health Center was the backdrop for a TV interview of State Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr., who spoke about his uncle President John F. Kennedy's efforts to change mental health service delivery. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 was the last major legislation signed by Kennedy before his death. It shifted resources from large institutions to community-based mental health treatment centers like CMHC, which opened in 1966. View the TV interview here 

Staff Corner

Brian Spector, Deputy Chair for Finance and Administration in the Yale Department of Psychiatry, accepted the Board of Directors Award at the Spring conference of the National Association of Academic Psychiatry Administrators (NAAPA) in St. Augustine, Fla., on April 20. Spector has been a member of NAAPA since 2012. The organization was founded in 1985 to provide education, professional development, and networking opportunities to psychiatry administrators in academic settings. NAAPA sponsors a Fall and Spring education conference, a robust listserv, benchmarking data, and ample networking opportunities. Spector will host the Fall conference at Yale in October. Presenting the award to Spector was Marika K. Brigham, Chief Financial Officer and Department Administrator for Psychiatry at the University of Florida and President of NAAPA.

Yale Psychiatry at International Festival of Arts & Ideas

Rowe to moderate interdisciplinary panel discussion on citizenship

Michael Rowe, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, will moderate an interdisciplinary panel discussion on citizenship June 20 at 5:30 pm at the Alexion Pharmaceuticals Global Headquarters, 100 College St. The discussion will explore the idea of citizenship in the context of the recent national conversation, who has it, who grants it, and why. Tickets are free. Rowe is Principal Investigator of the Connecticut Mental Health Center Citizenship Project. Learn more 

Connecticut Mental Health Center Foundation to co-sponsor Theatre of the Oppressed NYC

The Connecticut Mental Health Center Foundation will co-sponsor a performance by Theatre of the Oppressed NYC on June 21 at 5:30 and 8:00 pm at the Bregamos Theater in New Haven. The theater company's mission is to partner with communities facing discrimination to inspire transformative action through theater. The performance, "We Are Citizens," will result from a three-day intensive residency in New Haven by the theater company. Tickets cost $25; discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Learn more and purchase tickets 

Psychiatry Grand Rounds

Friday, June 2, 2017; 10:15-11:30 am

Brain to Body: Coping with Cancer and Tranceforming Pain with Hypnosis

David Spiegel, MD, Jack, Samuel, and Lulu Willson Professor in Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University

CMHC Auditorium, 34 Park St.

Details / Download to your calendar 

Friday, June 9, 2017; 10:15-11:30 am

Lustman Awards

Youngsun Cho, MD, PhD; Adam Mecca, MD, PhD; Samuel Wilkinson, MD

CMHC Auditorium, 34 Park St.

Details / Download to your calendar 

Friday, June 16, 2017; 10:15-11:30 am

Chairman's Address: State of the Department

John H. Krystal, MD, Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Professor of Neuroscience; Chair, Yale Department of Psychiatry

CMHC Auditorium, 34 Park St.

Details / Download to your calendar 

Friday, June 23, 2017; 10:15-11:30 am

Commencement

Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Co-Director, Mood Disorders Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine

CMHC Auditorium, 34 Park St.

Details / Download to your calendar 

VA/Psychiatry Grand Rounds Shuttle

Door-to-door shuttle service is provided from the VA to Psychiatry Grand Rounds at CMHC. Take the Yale University Shuttle that leaves the VA beginning at 9:00 am and every 20 minutes thereafter. Tell the driver you are going to CMHC. The shuttle will leave CMHC at 11:45 am for a return to the VA. Riders should meet in front of CMHC.

CME Credits

CMEs are awarded to those who complete an evaluation sheet.

Back to Top 

Newsletter Footer
Have feedback? Want to submit content for the website and e-newsletter?
Contact Chris Gardner, communications officer,  christopher.gardner@yale.edu, 203.737.7165.

Giving Back

Department of Psychiatry Development & Alumni Fund


 

Hiring

Open Faculty Searches


 

Clinical Research

Current Addictive Behavior Trials  /  Current Mental Health Trials


 

Connect with Yale's Psychiatry Department

E-updates  /  Twitter  /  Facebook  /  LinkedIn  /  Google+ 
Join Our Mailing List