Aug. 6, 2026

Yolanda Barner-Thomas will retire on Aug. 31 after 30 years with UT Southwestern Medical Center, more than 20 of which were spent in the Department of Psychiatry administration.

A child of a military family, Yolanda followed in her father’s footsteps, joining the U.S Air Force after earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin on an ROTC scholarship. The move was fortuitous. Although she would also go on to earn master’s degrees in Psychological Counseling and Computer Resource Management from Webster University and the University of Maryland respectively, the U.S. Air Force and The University of Texas System impacted her life significantly. They were the only two employers she has worked for in a 48-year career that provided her with the opportunity to travel the world and make a difference at home.

Yolanda joined UT Southwestern as an Employee Relations Supervisor in 1995 after 17 years in the military and quickly transitioned into the Division of Community Women’s Health Care in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she rose to the position of Executive Assistant/Senior Administrative Associate overseeing a department of about 650 people in 14 clinics. Yolanda speaks fondly of that time as making a difference in the lives of women in need.

Yolanda transferred to the Psychiatry Department in 2006 and has been an integral part of its administration since that time. Described by friends and coworkers as “dedicated,” “steadfast,” and a “strong advocate for staff, consistently ensuring that voices were heard and concerns were addressed with compassion and professionalism,” she has been lauded for her leadership and willingness to lend a hand whenever one is needed. More than that, Senior Project Manager Shelly Sheets describes Yolanda as “a wonderful friend whose loyalty and commitment to her team never go unnoticed.” Shelly continued, “I deeply appreciate her unwavering support, dependability, and the genuine care she shows to those around her. She leads by example and is always someone her team can count on.”

Dr. C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., ABPP, cheered Yolanda’s enthusiasm and ability to build camaraderie among coworkers, as well as her work ethic. He said, in part, “Her remarkable attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and challenges with grace have kept the department running smoothly through the years.”

Department Administrator Cari Norz echoed those sentiments, saying, “Throughout her remarkable career, she has exemplified loyalty, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to our department! Her dedication and willingness to support others have made a lasting impact. We are deeply grateful for her many years of service and the countless contributions she has made.”



We are thankful for her service and wish her happiness in the next stage in her life. The department will celebrate her with a party on Aug. 27 from 4-6 p.m. in the A.W. Harris Faculty Club, E4.400. All are welcome to join in the celebration.

NEW! Welcome Wayne Young, CEO of TBHC

We are pleased to welcome Wayne Young, M.B.A., M.Ed., as Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Behavioral Health Center (TBHC) and Vice President of Behavioral Health Integration and Partnerships at UT Southwestern.

‌Mr. Young comes to UT Southwestern from The Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Houston, for which he was CEO. He brings three decades of experience in behavioral health care and its leadership. At The Harris Center, he led more than 2,600 team members who delivered behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability services to almost 90,000 patients each year.

Prior to that position, Mr. Young was Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, which included a 20,000-visit psychiatric emergency room and inpatient psychiatric hospitals/pavilions with more than 130 total beds, along with multiple clinics and four partial hospitalization programs. Mr. Young has also held numerous leadership roles on state and national committees focused on advancing mental health resources, including serving as past Chair of the American Hospital Association’s Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Section and as the inaugural Chair of the HHSC’s Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.

As CEO of TBHC, Mr. Young will provide executive leadership and oversight across the full continuum of behavioral health services at Texas Behavioral Health Center.

NEW! Jha Lab awarded $5.4M NIH grant for trial on tirzepatide for methamphetamine use disorder

Dr. Manish Jha, M.D., has been awarded a two-year $5.4 million NIH-National Institute on Drug Abuse UG3 grant to launch a four-site Phase 2B randomized controlled trial of tirzepatide for methamphetamine use disorder. With this trial, Dr. Jha and a team including Dr. Christian Hendershot, Ph.D., of University of Southern California, Dr. W. Kyle Simmons, Ph.D., of Oklahoma State University, and Dr. Phillip Coffin, M.D., of the Center on Substance Use and Health, will evaluate, safety, tolerability and potential efficacy of tirzepatide, a dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptors, in individuals with moderate or severe methamphetamine use disorder. 

NEW! Brown Lab awarded NIH grant to study pregnenolone for alcohol use disorder

Dr. Sherwood Brown, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., has received an NIH-National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcholism grant to evaluate pregnenolone, a naturally occurring neurosteroid, as a novel treatment for individuals with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). AUD is a major public health problem, and the presence of MDD is associated with poorer clinical outcomes, including relapse. Current treatments often improve depressive symptoms more effectively than alcohol use, highlighting the need for therapies that address both conditions simultaneously.

A team, including Dr. Brown as contact principal investigator and Dr. Francesca Filbey, Ph.D., UT Dallas and adjunct faculty at UT Southwestern, as multiple principal investigator, will conduct a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pregnenolone (500 mg/day) in 100 adults with AUD and MDD. Outcomes will include alcohol consumption and craving, as well as depressive and anxiety symptom severity. The study will also examine neural mechanisms using resting-state functional connectivity and cue-induced craving measured with functional MRI.

NEW! IR support has changed effective Aug. 1

As part of the ambulatory clinics' transition to the Health System, James “Jim” Dimitroff's role transitioned to support those clinical operations effective Aug. 1. While we will greatly miss having Jim, this change aligns our administrative and academic areas with the standard UTSW IR support model already used across many departments. We appreciate Jim's years of outstanding service to Psychiatry and thank everyone for their partnership as we implement this transition.

The department is excited to share that, effective Aug. 1, we have entered into a service agreement with IR. This agreement will provide support across all areas of the department, except for the UTSW Ambulatory Clinics, as they will continue to receive support from Jim.

This agreement includes:

• Labor for Windows/Mac computers, basic printer support, mobile devices, consultations for new purchases, new hardware setup, rounding, and general desktop consulting. Generic purchases (laptops, etc.) may be purchased through the procurement portal without a quote. Specialized purchases will still require a quote, which IR can provide.
• Assistance with installation of software
  NOTE: Due to administrative accounts being limited on campus, you may need assistance with installing software. This can be handled by submitting a request through the Employee Service Center. Software is typically purchased through the Software Core department; to request a license for an application provided by the Software Core, please go through this link found in the Employee Service Center.
  Please note that in some instances (e.g., SPSS), Software Core-approved licenses must be purchased through an approved third-party website. In these cases, a Onecard should be used for purchases, or the Allowable Purchases Grid must be consulted prior to using a personal card.

Exclusions:

• Server Support work requiring a third-party contractor such as with a printer/copier repair is not included.
• Parts are not covered under this agreement. If parts must be ordered, Client Services will provide the department with all necessary information to execute a valid purchase requisition.

Service Level Agreement Contact times:

• Routine Issues: Client will be contacted within five business hours.
• Critical Issues: Client will be contacted within two business hours.
• Issues requiring immediate support can be escalated to Roland Brunette or James Fliege.

Process:

All support requests should be submitted through the Employee Service Center. Please note that before submitting a service request, employees should speak to their department administrator first to ensure the service is required and no other solution is available.

• Submitting a request through the Service Center creates a support ticket that is routed directly to the appropriate team or technician based on the user and department, helping to ensure a faster response. 
• For urgent or time-sensitive issues, users should contact Roland Brunette or James Fliege or call the Help Desk and clearly indicate that the request requires immediate attention.

Misc.:

• Acquiring new software licenses
  NOTE: Software must be on the approved list for use at UTSW. You can review this list here. If it is not currently on the approved software list, it may need to go through the ISAC review and approval process, which can also be found in the Employee Service Center. Some software application licenses are provided through the UTSW Software Core management team. You can find a list here.
• Special Note regarding Adobe licenses
  NOTE: Adobe Creative Cloud license can be purchased through the Software Core. If you only need one or two applications, such as Acrobat Pro or Illustrator, it's more cost effective to manage that through your own VIP license with Adobe. Psychiatry has its own VIP license, so if you need to request to remove/add/edit access to Adobe products, simply use the Employee Service Center link above to submit a request for the Adobe product that you need and the end user to assign it to. Alternatively, IR can train your administrative team on how to self-manage licenses, obtain quotes, and process through the procurement portal as needed.

NEW! Cullum provides a DPRIT overview

Dr. C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., acting in his role as Scientific Director of the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC), recently provided an overview of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).

That overview is linked below.

URGENT REMINDER: Redeem CE Broker Professional Account promo codes before Aug. 20

The free upgrade promotional codes for the CE Broker accounts required by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC) will EXPIRE on Aug. 20. We encourage you to redeem your complimentary code so you can take full advantage of this benefit. This enhanced membership offers tools such as renewal tracking, alerts for missing requirements, centralized transcript management, and credential tracking to help simplify continuing education compliance. If the code is not redeemed, the benefit may not be available.

As a reminder, TMB will transition to CE Broker as its official platform for tracking continuing education compliance for license renewal, effective Sept. 1. As a result, all TMB licensees will be responsible for maintaining and monitoring their continuing education records in CE Broker. TBHEC has been already using CE Broker.

Eligible licensees should have received an email from the department administration with detailed instructions on updating their information, redeeming their complimentary Professional membership, and accessing their unique redemption code. Please check your email for your unique redemption code. Only 33% of the codes have been redeemed so far.

Licensees should also review or create an EthosCE profile at the EthosCE webpage and confirm that their information is current. Maintaining accurate license information in EthosCE helps ensure eligible UTSW CME credits are automatically reported to CE Broker. For UTSW assistance, email the Office of Continuing Education or schedule a 1:1 appointment.

If you have any questions, please email Shelly Sheets.

Restructuring will follow Barner-Thomas departure

After many years of dedicated service, Yolanda Barner-Thomas has announced her retirement effective Aug. 31. We are deeply grateful for her numerous contributions to the department and wish her all the best in this well-deserved next chapter.

As part of our organizational restructuring, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Greg King to Assistant Director of Department Operations. In his new role, Greg will continue to oversee the TCMHCC, Parkland, and Children’s MSAs, and the Clinical Incentive Plan while expanding his portfolio to include Faculty & Administrative Affairs and Department Facilities. Greg’s experience, leadership, and commitment to operational excellence position him well to support the department’s continued growth and success.

We are also pleased to announce that Jodi England-Trevino will join the Department as its new Administrative Manager beginning Aug. 3. Jodi has been with UT Southwestern since 2019, most recently serving as the HR Services Supervisor leading the front-line team tasked with responding to issues on an array of HR functions including recruitment, compensation, employee relations, benefits, payroll, and other HR functions. In 2025, Jodi received the HR Stellar Award in 2025. In her new role, Jodi will oversee the administrative activities of the Chairman’s office and serve as the primary internal contact for Human Resource functions across the entire Department.  

We are also excited to share that Jasmina Vuksanovic has been promoted to Manager of Department Operations. Jasmina has been with the department since May of 2022 most recently serving in the role of Senior Faculty Coordinator. Her new role will oversee recruitment, appointment, and promotion activities, for the entire department (more than 300 faculty and 200 adjunct faculty) while also supporting quality/performance improvement activities and other major departmental initiatives. 

DHS rule change could affect F-1, J-1 nonimmigrants

Effective Sept. 15, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is eliminating the "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants and replacing it with fixed admission periods. This means that individuals arriving in the United States on or after Sept. 15, will be admitted for a fixed period (the length of their approved program, not to exceed four years) rather than for "D/S."

Historically, D/S allowed international students, scholars, and physician trainees to remain lawfully in the United States without a fixed departure date while completing their academic program, training, or degree. Under the new rule, however, admissions for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants will generally be limited to a maximum of four years unless the individual submits a timely Extension of Stay (EOS) application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

As a result, if an F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant's program or training extends beyond their fixed admission period (for example, if additional time is needed to complete a degree or to participate in OPT or STEM OPT), the individual may be required to file an Extension of Stay application directly with USCIS rather than through the Office of International Affairs (OIA). Current filing fees are $420 for online filing or $470 for paper filing, plus an optional $2,075 premium processing fee if expedited adjudication is requested.

OIA staff are actively reviewing and analyzing the final rule to develop implementation plans and guidance for our international community, department administrators, and other stakeholders. OIA will share additional information, including next steps, frequently asked questions, and upcoming webinar opportunities, in the coming days. Check the OIA news alerts webpage regularly as additional information and guidance become available.

Digital Accessibility Office Hours are available

Learn how to create more accessible digital documents and get answers for case-specific questions by logging in to Digital Accessibility Office Hours from Noon-1 p.m. every Tuesday on Teams. The sessions are run by digital accessibility experts who can assist with best practices and individualized advice.

Dr. Laura Adams, Ph.D., recently joined the team at the Texas Behavioral Health Center as a Clinical Assistant Professor. Born in Corpus Christi, she spent part of her childhood in Mexico City. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Literature from Columbia College and a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia Teachers College, later completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. In the 20 years since she last served on faculty at UTSW, she has embraced a wide variety of professional experiences, including a faculty post in PM&R at Johns Hopkins University, intensive clinical roles with Veterans Affairs Health Care, and most recently a role as forensic psychologist and director at Austin State Hospital.

Ashkan Rashedi recently joined Dr. Hamed Ekhtiari’s Lab as a Research Engineer. After earning his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, he spent more than a decade in the aerospace industry, developing technologies for space exploration and robotic systems designed to search for signs of life and valuable resources beyond Earth. Today, he brings the same spirit of discovery to a new frontier: developing technologies to explore the depths of the brain and better understand the human mind.

Dr. Alex Preston, M.D., M.P.H., recently joined the department as a Clinical Assistant Professor after graduating as UT Southwestern's first Women’s Mental Health fellow. She earned a Master’s in Public Health at Columbia University specializing in Sexual and Reproductive Health and found a desired focus in Reproductive Psychiatry beginning as a medical student at UT Dell in Austin. She is passionate about helping women experience improved mental health and live fuller lives, whether that be addressing perimenstrual exacerbation of psychiatric disorders, healing from a perinatal mood disorder, or thoughtfully designing interventions to maintain psychiatric wellness during the menopause transition or during a breast or gynecologic cancer. 

Kelly Jeong recently joined the Department of Psychiatry as a Clinical Research Assistant II in Dr. Manish Jha's lab. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological and Brain Sciences and brings hands-on experience working with veterans and vulnerable populations through her volunteer work at the VA Medical Center. In her new role she will contribute to psychiatric research through participant screening and enrollment, clinical data collection, and regulatory compliance.

NEW! Dr. Molin Shi, Ph.D., recently contributed to a MedBlog titled "How psycho-oncology helps young adults with cancer," including a video recording. Access the MedBlog here.

Dr. Lia Thomas, M.D., made an appearance on the Psychiatry Boot Camp podcast for the episode "A Practical Guide to the Psychiatry Match." Watch the episode here.

NEW! Graduating Clinical Psychology Doctoral Students celebrated their upcoming fellowships along with their mentors at the annual Internship Luncheon on July 31. At the luncheon, the fourth-year students were presented certificates and their mentors shared a few words about them. The students' official graduation commencement from the Graduate School will take place in May 2027.

NEW! The Department of Psychiatry celebrated employee milestones with a luncheon on July 30 in ND14. See photos of the honorees below with Dr. Tarek Rajji, M.D., Chair of the Department of Psychiatry.

Five-Year Honorees (from left) Dr. Melanie Chung Sherman, D.S.W., LCSW, Tonia Bell, Dr. Rajji, Amber Barker, and Dr. Latoya Frolov, M.D.

10-Year Honorees (from left) Shavonna Williams, Dora Irma Garcia, Dr. Hila Abush Segev, Ph.D., Dr. Rajji, Abigail Nunez-Chavez, Elisabeth Martinez, and Zulema Jasso.

15-Year Honorees (from left): Prem Babbili, Maria Monastirsky, Melody Lundquist, Dr. Rajji, Mariam Andersen, and Leigh Hornberger

20-Year Honorees (from left): Amy Conger, Dr. Rajji, and Dr. Alyson Nakamura, M.D.

30-Year Honorees (from left): Aida Ramirez-Boyce, Dr. Rajji, and Yolanda Barner-Thomas

50-Year Honoree: Dr. Dwight German, Ph.D. and Dr. Rajji

Several members of the Psychiatry Department were nominated for the upcoming 2026 APP Outstanding Achievement Awards. The nominations highlight exceptional contributions across clinical practice, leadership, teaching, scholarly work, and service.

Outstanding APP in Ambulatory Clinical Practice

• Abigail Nevins, M.P.A.S., PA-C
• Alexandra Chapman, M.S.N., APRN, PMHNP-BC
• Jennifer Perez, D.M.Sc, M.P.A.S., PA-C

Outstanding APP in Scholarly Endeavors

• Snoben Kuruvila, D.M.S., M.P.A.S., PA-C, CAQ-Psy

Outstanding APP in Inpatient Clinical Practice

• Shalini Maharaj, M.P.A.S., PA-C

APP CHAMPion Nominees

• Dr. Kenneth Dekleva, M.D.
• Dr. Naveed Khokhar, M.D.

Dr. Molin Shi, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2026 Walter Katkovsky Scholarship by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) Foundation. The scholarship will subsidize Dr. Shi's ABPP board certification.

The On My Own Time employee art showcase features three works by members of the Psychiatry Department. Department Facilities Administrator Bradley Cleaver's "Mawley" was selected in the Ceramics, Wood, & Glass category. "Reflection" by Dr. Medha Iyer, M.D., Ph.D., (center) was chosen for the Painting category. "Thirst" a poem by Dr. Abigail Ortiz, M.D., (right) was selected for the Literary Works category.

Dr. Andre Russowsky Brunoni, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., has been named as a Distinguished Reviewer by JAMA Psychiatry. To be considered a Distinguished Reviewer, a reviewer must consistently provide high-quality peer review ranked very good or excellent by the journal's editorial team, which in turn has allowed its editors to make timely decisions.

NEW! Ila Iverson, a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, recently presented a poster at the Mid-Year Meeting of the International Neuropsychology Society in Dublin, Ireland. Her poster was titled "Applying the ECLECTIC + GRIT Framework: Neuropsychological Assessment of Sub-Saharan African Refugees." Other authors on the poster include her supervisors Dr. Beatriz Macdonald Wer, Ph.D., and Dr. Veronica Bordes Edgar, Ph.D.

NEW! Emory Oakes, an undergraduate intern for the Inspiring Careers in Mental Health program, gave a poster presentation summarizing her contributions supporting the program's recruitment and evaluation efforts at the closing ceremony for the UT Southwestern Healthcare Summer Internship Program through the Office for Institutional Opportunity. 

Dr. Laura Lacritz, Ph.D., ABPP, and Dr. William Goette, Ph.D., spoke at an education event for members of the BvB Dallas Foundation sponsored by the UT Southwestern Office of Development on July 22. BvB Dallas funds the UTSW BvB Dallas Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychology Fellowship in which Dr. Lacritz is the Training Director.

The UTSW Department of Psychiatry was well-represented at the Texas Society of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry (TSCAP) Annual Meeting in Galveston earlier this month. Dr. Rabia Ayvaci, M.D., presented "Emerging Evidence and Clinical Translation of TMS in Pediatric Populations." Dr. Kaylee Davis-Bordovsky, M.D., was elected as the TSCAP Secretary/Treasurer for the ’26-’27 term. She is on the Executive Council as an American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Assembly Delegate. Dr. Andrew Diederich, M.D., completed his term as immediate past president during the annual meeting. Dr. Mohsin Khan, M.D., is on the executive committee for TSCAP and has been serving as the Chair of the Programming Committee since 2024. Dr. Mili Khandheria, M.D., is on the executive committee for TSCAP. Dr. Alyssa Shaffner, M.D., was elected as a TSCAP Delegate for AACAP's Assembly for a three-year appointment. She is also the Government Affairs Chair for the TSCAP Committee. 

Dr. Mohsin Khan, M.D., and Dr. Alyssa Shaffner, M.D. presented at the International Association of Law and Mental Health conference in Montreal on June 30 along with two colleagues from the UT Medical Branch. 

A group of Clinical Psychology Doctoral students and faculty recently provided mental health screenings and resources at an event at The Shops at RedBird. From left to right, Tara Driskill, Leah Bullinger, Dr. Tyler Evans, Ph.D., Maya Hubbard, Briana Johnson, and Alex Woolsey are pictured with Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sam Williams (center).

Dr. Joseph Guillory, M.D., was invited to serve as an expert panelist at the Texas Society of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Meeting in Galveston on July 19. The panel was titled, "Developmentally Informed Advocacy and Accommodations Across Childhood and Adolescence."

NEW! 2027 LEAD program deadline is Aug. 28

Leadership Emerging in Academic Departments (LEAD) is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027. The LEAD Program is an in-house program at UT Southwestern designed for junior faculty who aspire to develop their leadership skills. The program uses didactic lectures, case studies, and experiential activities to explore topics including self-discovery, communication, influence, negotiation, difficult conversations, and inspiring trust. Participants also work with an executive coach and anchor the LEAD learning objectives with an individual capstone leadership project. The deadline to apply is Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.

Learn more about Copilot, Microsoft 365's AI assistant

Attend a full day of learning focused on Microsoft Copilot and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Sessions are organized into two subjects – foundational understanding and applied skills – allowing participants to build knowledge and then apply it to real-world scenarios.

All-day sessions will be offered Aug. 6-7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Professional Office Building 1 (POB1), HA1.100. The same content will be provided on both days. Click here to learn more about UT Southwestern's approved AI tools.

Successfully Earning a K (SEAK) deadline is Oct. 2

Improve your likelihood of funding with the Successfully Earning a K (SEAK) workshop, each Tuesday from Oct. 20-Jan. 25. Participants will craft relevant sections of a K award application for review at each session. Completed grant applications will be reviewed, and participants will take part in a mock study section.

The SEAK workshop will be led by Dr. E. Sherwood Brown, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Professor of Psychiatry, Vice Chair for Clinical Research, Chief of the Division of Clinical Neuroscience, and Director of the Psychoneuroendocrine Research Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Brown serves on several journal editorial boards and has been awarded numerous grants from NIH and private foundations. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 2.