April 30, 2026

Dr. John Burruss, M.D., will end his faculty appointment on April 30 after more than 12 years of service to UT Southwestern Medical Center. Please join us in congratulating him on his many achievements during his time here.

Dr. Burruss earned his medical degree, served as Chief Resident in Psychiatry, and ultimately took on multiple educational roles at the Baylor College of Medicine Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences starting in 1988. A lifelong learner, he earned a Certificate in Leadership Strategies for Evolving Healthcare Executives at the Harvard School of Public Health in 2010. He joined UT Southwestern's ranks of educators in 2013 after accepting the position of Chief Executive Officer of Metrocare Services in Dallas in April of that year. 

In that role, Dr. Burruss oversaw the considerable expansion of Metrocare to become the largest provider of mental health care in Dallas County, now serving more than 50,000 people, including 10,000 children and teenagers. Dr. Burruss has been instrumental in supporting UT Southwestern’s residency training programs. Dr. Adam Brenner, M.D., said that “his unwavering support for rotations at Metrocare has allowed residents to be immersed in the kind of intensive, proactive care that prevents both hospitalizations as well as encounters with the justice systems.” Dr. Brenner described Dr. Burruss as “a riveting teacher who is able to explain the most complicated mental health system structures with clarity and perspective.” 

Dr. Burruss was honored with the UT Southwestern Outstanding Clinical & Voluntary Faculty Award in the Department of Psychiatry in 2014 and 2015. He has been an active part of curriculum development for the Metrocare Leadership Institute since 2014 and was the founder and coordinator of the UTSW Administrative Psychiatry Resident Elective starting in 2018. He also co-wrote the book Manual of Core Competencies: Defining, Teaching and Assessing Resident Competence in 2005.

A Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Burruss served as an attending psychiatrist at the Parkland Psychiatric Emergency Room from 2018-2021 after serving in multiple roles in Houston-area hospitals and clinics for 17 years. Dr. Carol Tamminga, M.D., noted that, in addition to the “striking legacy of success,” in his role with Metrocare, “Dr. Burruss has developed new treatment programs as well as supported existing programs of merit which were already established.”

Dr. Burruss has made exceptional impacts on the state of mental health care in the Dallas area and the learning outcomes for UT Southwestern’s residents, serving as a physician, an educator, a mentor, and a role model to be emulated. We are thankful for his service and wish him the best in the next stage of his life, in which he and his wife, Patricia, will be moving to the countryside near Lismore, Ireland.

Several members of the Psychiatry Department gathered to celebrate Dr. Burruss on April 14.

NEW! Student internship/work opportunities abound

UT Southwestern offers a variety of programs for students (not in medical school) to work with the department and enhance the pursuit of their academic goals. In the programs listed in the table linked below, the students perform professional, field-related tasks under the supervision of department staff/faculty bridging their classroom learning with practical work experience. If you are interested in participating in one of these programs, Yolanda Barner-Thomas and Lidia Ortiz in the Psychiatry Chairman's Office can help navigate the process.

REMINDER: NAMIWalks North Texas is May 16

Join UTSW Psychiatry Team Confabulous at NAMIWalks North Texas from 8 a.m.-Noon on Saturday, May 16 at Grandscape in The Colony. In addition to its fundraising element, this Department of Psychiatry-sponsored event raises awareness about mental illness in North Texas and the work being done at UT Southwestern.

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an organization advocating for access to services, treatment, supports, and research to help those in need. NAMI North Texas is the local affiliate providing services to Dallas, Rockwall, Denton, and Collin counties. Registration for the walk is at 8 a.m. The event's opening ceremony will start at 9 a.m., and teams will begin walking at 9:30 a.m.

Watch for the Values in Practice Engagement Survey

Invitations to complete the UT Southwestern Values in Practice Engagement Survey were delivered to many employees across the university on April 20. If you received one of these emails, this is an opportunity to share your feedback regarding your experience as a member of the UTSW team. 

Your confidential feedback helps ensure that the university focuses on the areas that matter most to you and to the campus community. By sharing your experiences and perspectives, you play an important role in shaping our culture and strengthening UT Southwestern. The survey, which should take just 5-7 minutes to complete, closes on May 10.

MSOPC Leadership updates announced

The Psychiatry Department has named the new leadership team for the Multispecialty Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic (MSOCP). The following individuals will begin their new roles on May 1.

Dr. Arthur Westover, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Westover joined the faculty in 2006, and he is an exemplary clinician with deep expertise in caring for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. He has been the Associate Medical Director for MSOPC for many years, and more recently, he has been serving as the Medical Director for the UTSW Richardson/Plano Regional Center. This role will report to Dr. Larry Thornton, M.D., Chief of Service for the UTSW Health System.

Dr. Jessica Moore, M.D.

Associate Medical Director

Dr. Moore joined the Department of Psychiatry in 2019 after completing her training as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at UTSW. She is a Dedman Scholar and has led the development of our Transitional Age Youth clinical and educational programs. More recently, she was appointed Medical Director of the Student and Resident Wellness and Counseling Center at UTSW. This role will report to Dr. Westover.

Dr. Josh Hubregsen, M.D.

Associate Medical Director,
Interventional Psychiatry

Dr. Hubregsen joined the faculty in 2016. In addition to his vast clinical expertise in neuromodulation, he led the creation of an Interventional Psychiatry concentration in our training program. He currently serves the Department as Medical Director of the Clements University Hospital Electroconvulsive Therapy Service and Associate Program Director for the Psychiatry Residency Program. This role will report to Dr. Westover.

In announcing the updated leadership, Dr. Kala Bailey, M.D., M.B.A., also thanked Dr. Thornton for serving in the Medical Director role and for continuing in his role as Chief of Service, supporting the outpatient psychiatry practice.

Welcome Dr. Leilani Hinton, Ph.D., back to UTSW as Director of Psychology for TBHC

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Leilani Hinton, Ph.D., back to the UT Southwestern Medical Center Department of Psychiatry as the new Director of Psychology for the Texas Behavioral Health Center. Her first day with the department was April 6.

A graduate of the UT Southwestern Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, Dr. Hinton returns after 15 years of distinguished service with the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department, where she served as Assistant Chief Psychologist. In this role, she oversaw the clinical and supervisory operations of the Clinical Services Division, conducted forensic competency evaluations, and developed and lead the department’s Clinical Internship Program as Training Director.

Dr. Hinton previously served as a Volunteer Adjunct Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern from 2014 to 2020 supervising practicum students rotating through the Juvenile Department. Her earlier training includes community mental health crisis, and accredited internships with Parkland Health Hospital, where she worked within the outpatient clinic, assessment service and consult-liaison psychiatry service.

In addition to being a licensed psychologist, Dr. Hinton is a licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) and a licensed sex offender treatment provider (LSOTP). She is also certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and problematic sexual behavior-cognitive behavioral therapy (PSB-CBT). From 2020 to 2025, she served as Grant Manager for the Dallas County Assessment, Stabilization, and Advancement Program for Trafficked Girls (ASAP) and from 2016-2018 as Grant Manager for Problematic Sexual Behavior – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT).

Dr. Hinton has been actively engaged in community leadership, serving on several boards and task forces, including the Governor’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center Advisory Council, and the Dallas County Opioid Task Force. In recognition of her advocacy work, she received the Advocacy Award from Traffick911 in 2024.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Hinton back to UT Southwestern.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Class of 2030 announced

Welcome to the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Class of 2030. For a closer look at the new doctoral students, their academic histories, and their research interests, please click here.

Accessibility compliance target date extended

On April 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a final rule modifying the compliance timeline for Americans with Disabilities Act Title II digital accessibility requirements. The rule extends the original April 24, 2026, deadline. Under the revised schedule, larger public entities such as UT Southwestern now have until April 26, 2027, to achieve compliance.

Thank you for the work you have done so far in making your documents and digital communications accessible. While the compliance timeline has shifted, our obligation to provide accessible digital programs, services, and activities has not. This responsibility remains ongoing. The additional time provides a critical opportunity to fully address all requirements, and it is essential we use it thoughtfully and effectively. 

NEW! Tracey Moore recently joined the Psychiatry Department as a Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist. She has worked in research administration at UTSW for 20 years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and working on craft projects. 

NEW! María I. del Villar Basauri has joined the Neuropsychology Clinic as a Psychometrist II. She earned her bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology at Universidad de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, and participated in an exchange program in Madrid, Spain where she learned about Clinical Neuropsychology. She enjoys spending most of her free time surrounded by music. She also loves spending time with her cat, whose name is inspired by the Mayan deity of music (Macuilxochitl).

NEW! Tekuria Sowels is the new Credentialing Specialist for the Psychiatry Department. She brings more than 10 years of experience in health care to her role, with a strong background in administrative support, patient services, and compliance. She also holds an M.B.A. in Human Resources Management from Capella University.

NEW! Andrew Dalley, LPC, joins the Psychiatry Department as a Clinical Therapist in substance use disorder services at the Multispecialty Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. He has worked in addiction group therapy and inpatient/outpatient settings. Born and raised in Texas, he graduated from Texas Woman's University with a master's degree in Clinical Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys trying new coffee, walking in nature, traveling, and spending time with his friends.

NEW! Farra Kahalnik, M.P.H., M.S.S.W., recently joined the Department of Psychiatry as a Clinical Research Manager. She will support Dr. Tarek Rajji, M.D., in building and managing his research lab while collaborating closely with the Clinical Research Infrastructure. Farra began her UT Southwestern career in May 2015 in the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care under Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, M.D., where she managed the VitalSign6 program and contributed to the Center's grant-writing efforts. From January 2022 to April 2026, she served as Program Manager for the CTSA Program's Office of Community Health and Research Engagement within the O'Donnell School of Public Health.

Kendria Shields-Rhodes recently joined Dr. Graham Emslie’s Lab as a Clinical Research Assistant II supporting the YDSRN–Depression (TCMHCC) study. She holds a Master of Arts in Psychological Research and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Texas State University. She served as a primary instructor for four undergraduate Introduction to Statistics Lab sections and as a Graduate Research Assistant at the university. In addition, she completed an internship with the Talent Recruitment and Outreach Department at the Library of Congress and worked in investigations administration at Child Protective Services (CPS).

Dr. Iván Rodríguez-Flores, Psy.D., joins the Psychiatry Department as a Clinical Assistant Professor who will split his time between the outpatient service and CUH consult service. Dr. Rodriguez-Flores earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology from Albizu University. He completed his doctoral clinical internship at Centerstone Consortium followed by a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at AdventHealth Hospital and Medical Group in Winter Park, Florida. Prior to his appointment at UTSW, he was an Instructor and Clinical Neuropsychologist at the University of South Florida, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Rodríguez-Flores is a bilingual clinical neuropsychologist (English/Spanish) with clinical experience across different ambulatory settings, such as behavioral health clinics, psychological services integrated in primary care, and memory disorder clinics. Additionally, he has clinical experience working in different inpatient settings, including neurorehabilitation units, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and psychiatric units.

Margaret Nguyen has joined the Psychiatry Department as an accountant. A recent graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s in accounting, she previously worked in retail pharmaceuticals where she set a goal for herself to benefit patients.

Alexandria “Ally” Davis, LPC, is a Clinical Therapist in the Behavioral Health Clinic in Richardson/Plano. They earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas Woman’s University. Their clinical practice is grounded in trauma-informed and affirming approaches, with a focus on helping patients identify and directly address maladaptive belief patterns.

NEW! The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) recently published a news release on a study in The Lancet Psychiatry regarding magnetic seizure therapy (MST). The article, "Confirmatory efficacy and safety trial of magnetic seizure therapy versus right unilateral ultra-brief electroconvulsive therapy in depression (CREST–MST): a randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial in Canada and the USA," followed a trial with more than 200 participants conducted by CAMH, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and University of California San Diego. UTSW researchers who worked on the trial and who were listed as co-authors of the paper included Dr. Shawn McClintock, Ph.D., Dr. Carol Tamminga, M.D., Dr. Kala Bailey, M.D., and Dr. Joshua Hubregsen, M.D.

NEW! Dr. Dwight German, Ph.D., was recently quoted in a Technology Networks article titled "Autism Diagnosis and Proteomics: Are Blood-Based Biomarkers Within Reach?" Read the story here.

In the latest episode of Science in 60+, Dr. Frederick Hitti, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and Psychiatry, explains how a multidisciplinary team is exploring advanced solutions like deep brain stimulation (DBS) to help patients find lasting relief. Watch the video here.

NEW! Dr. Adam Brenner, M.D., was recently elected Vice Chair of the Psychiatry Review Committee at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

NEW! Dr. Tope Adedolapo, M.D., M.B.A., was recently elected Chair of Assembly Committee of Residents and Fellows (ACORF) at the American Psychiatric Association.

NEW! Savannah Dieste was honored with the 2026 Outstanding Student Dissertation Award at the Dallas Psychological Association's 70th Anniversary Gala. This award recognizes excellent scholarly achievement and the significance of her dissertation project titled "A Mixed Methods Study of Trauma and Family Factors in an Intensive Outpatient Program for Suicidal Adolescents." She is pictured here with fellow UTSW doctoral candidates Matt Hutnyan, Sarah Taghavi (current DPA Student Representative), and Vanessa Le. 

NEW! The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Training Program in Clinical Psychology received the Dallas Psychological Association Pam Blumenthal Community Service Award on April 17. The DBT Clinical Training Program prepares doctoral students to provide Dialectical Behavior Therapy through the UT Southwestern Psychotherapy Clinic. Since its launch, approximately 36 trainees have completed their rotations and provided DBT interventions to more than 130 patients. Special thanks were given to program supervisors Dr. Brittany Hall, Ph.D., Dr. Jenny Hughes, Ph.D., M.P.H., Dr. Alex Foxwell, Ph.D., Dr. Chris Glowacki, Psy.D., Dr. Charlotte Haley, Ph.D., Dr. Kristin Wolfe, Ph.D., Dr. Angela Beard, Psy.D., and Dr. Christine Warren, Psy.D., as well as Dr. Betsy Kennard, Psy.D., and Dr. Richard Robinson, Ph.D., for their support as Program Directors.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Students Tori Cantu and Raul Resendiz Gonzalez have been elected to serve on the Texas Psychological Association (TPA) Student Senate. Dr. Richard Robinson, Ph.D., commented, "We are confident they will be outstanding representatives for our student body and our program, and we are grateful for their willingness to serve."

Savannah Dieste, a senior student in the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, is the winner of the 2026 Ida M. Green Award. The Ida M. Green Award is given annually to a female graduate student who has demonstrated both scholastic excellence in her field and outstanding citizenship in support of fellow students and advancing the mission and values of UT Southwestern and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dieste's dissertation research, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Sunita Stewart, Ph.D., involves the study of trauma and family factors in an intensive outpatient program for suicidal adolescents. Supported by the Jerry M. Lewis Mental Health Foundation, her doctoral research has yielded multiple first author and co-author publications and national conference presentations. 

Dr. Jennifer Coughlin, M.D., has been awarded a $10,000 Special Grant Incentive (SGI). The SGI program provides funding to UT Southwestern faculty members who are successful in obtaining federal awards and encourages faculty to further pursue federal awards to advance science and benefit patients.

This month's Golden Heart Award for Clinical Excellence goes to Dr. Derek Bartlett, Ph.D. The Golden Heart Award honors providers for their clinical excellence in service to meeting the needs of our patients. 

NEW! Dr. Hamed Ekhtiari, M.D., DFISAM, and Dr. Manish Jha, M.D., presented "TMS for Treatment of Addiction and Its Psychiatric Comorbidities: Safety and Efficacy" at the American Society of Addiction Medicine Annual Conference in San Diego on April 24.

NEW! Dr. Kehinde Obikoya, M.D., and Dr. Tope Adedolapo, M.D., M.B.A., recently presented on jail diversion and conducted workshops on solutions to the workforce shortages in Nebraska at the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) "B-Con" 2026 conference in Omaha, Nebraska. The pair addressed gaps in current jail diversion models including Sequential Intercept Model (SIM). Dr. Adedolapo credited Dr. Andrew Contreras, M.D., as "instrumental in contributing to the project." 

Dr. Adedolapo also gave a talk at the Metrocare ACER Spring Retreat titled "Beyond Passions – Why Desire Isn't Enough – And What actually D.R.I.V.E.S. Success," in which he described a model that helps achieve sustainable success while avoiding burnout.

Dr. Joseph Guillory, M.D., P.S.S., and Dr. Karabi Nandy, Ph.D., presented at Metrocare’s DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium on April 10. Dr. Guillory gave the keynote speech, titled "Stronger Together: Building Trust, Rigor, and Relevance Through Partnership." Dr. Nandy presented her TCMHCC-funded study, FOCUS Bipolar, highlighting FOCUS as a multi-phase co-design and pilot implementation project building a family-centered decision aid and a risk-stratified screening pathway for youth with a bipolar-affected parent.

Multiple UT Southwestern faculty, a resident, and a medical student presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Annual Meeting in Arlington, Virginia, from April 16-20. Dr. Tarek Rajji, M.D., and Dr. Andre Russowsky Brunoni, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., took part in the "Advances in Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Late-Life Depression" discussion panel along with Dr. Hyewon Lee, M.D., M.S.c., FRCPC, an assistant professor at University of Toronto. Dr. Molly Camp, M.D., Dr. Kayla Murphy, M.D., and Kacie Shannon, a medical student, led the symposium "Fall Risk Screening and Management in Geriatric Psychiatry: Where Do We Stand?" Dr. Ashley Woolbert, M.D., presented the clinical case, "Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adult with Respiratory Disease."

Dr. Ashley Neduvelil, Ph.D., and Natalie Noebel, a doctoral intern, attended an in-person community education program organized by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) in Grapevine to share skills and strategies for emotional wellness and adjustment to life following cancer diagnosis and treatment.  

NEW! UTSW marks Mental Health Awareness Week

Take a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect May 11-15 during Mental Health Awareness Week. ‌The UT Southwestern community is invited to take part in five virtual sessions offering practical tools and meaningful dialogue around personal wellness, parenting, and children’s mental health. Designed to support individuals across life stages and career paths, each session encourages intentional engagement with well-being, both at work and beyond. 

‌This series is hosted by the Office of Faculty Wellness and Engagement and open to the entire UT Southwestern community.

NEW! Successfully Earn a K Award Workshop planned

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program will offer its Successfully Earn a K Award (SEAK) Workshop this summer and has opened up applications. The workshop will run from June 15 through Aug. 31. Applicants should have a K award under development with a mentor in place or a K award that is being revised for re-submission.

Participants will write sections of their grant application for review at each session, turning in a completed grant at the conclusion of the workshop, and taking part in a mock study section. The program is designed for early career faculty submitting a K01, K08, or K23 application in October 2026. Participants will need to be prepared to write the grant application at the beginning of the workshop. Space is limited. The application deadline is May 29.

Ethics Grand Rounds touches on 'Workplace Violence'

The next Ethics Grand Rounds lecture will be "Good Days, Bad Days, and Reflections on Reducing Workplace Violence in Healthcare," presented by John "Jack" Rozel, M.D., M.S.L., Professor of Psychiatry and Law at the University of Pittsburgh and Medical Director of resolve Crisis Services at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Behavioral Health. The lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 from Noon-1 p.m. Details about this lecture may be found on the university's events calendar.

Ethics Grand Rounds will take a break during the summer months (June, July, and August) and will resume with the FY2027 series on Tuesday, Sept. 8. For additional information, please email Ruth Vinciguerra. 

Department marks Administrative Professionals Day

The Psychiatry Department celebrated Administrative Professionals Day on April 22 with cookies and bagels in the Chairman's Suite, along with well-wishes and sincere thanks for the hard work and dedication our admins display. Their support and professionalism make a real difference every day, and the department appreciates all that they do.

The following note in the UTSW Insider expressed those thanks well, stating "‌From thoughtful problem-solving and organizational mastery to expert multitasking and calm-under-pressure support, these team members make our work look seamless while advancing our mission every day. They are the backbone of our organization and the glue that holds us together."

Accessibility 101: The Why Behind the What

Accessibility 101 is an interactive, foundational session that broadly overviews accessibility in everyday work. Through real examples and guided discussion, explore why accessibility matters, what is expected by policy, and how to approach your documents, presentations, and meetings. The Zoom session repeats monthly at Noon on Wednesdays, and the grand rounds hiatus during the summer months may be a perfect opportunity for you to attend and grow your skills: June 10, July 8, and Aug. 12.

In-person Psychiatry Grand Rounds continue

Dr. Alan F. Schatzberg, M.D., of the Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, will present "Understanding the opioid effects of ketamine: implications for treatment development" at an in-person Psychiatry Grand Rounds from Noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. The presentation will be held in NG3.112 with a reception and food in NG3.108.

This is the latest in-person Psychiatry Grand Rounds. Don't miss your opportunity to learn from visiting physicians and educators when they come to UT Southwestern. In-person attendance reflects well on the Psychiatry Department and offers you the opportunity to interact directly with the visiting speaker. The final in-person grand rounds of this year is listed below.

May 27

Dr. Frederick Nucifora Ph.D., D.O., M.H.S., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Presenting "Schizophrenia, subtyping and treatment resistance"

Please watch for more information about all Grand Rounds via calendar invitations or by checking the UT Southwestern Events Calendar.