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Announcements - Welcome New Faculty and Staff
In the Media - Kudos - Presentations - Save the Date
| | NEW! New Partial Day Absence SOP takes effect Jan. 1 | |
A new Partial Day Absence SOP that will affect all benefits-eligible faculty and exempt staff in the department and makes significant changes to how the partial day absences are handled goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026. The new SOP has been reviewed by department leadership and has gotten HR and Legal review and approval.
In summary, faculty and exempt employees may take occasional partial-day absences of less than 4 hours without using their accruals with supervisor approval. “Occasional” is defined as no more than twice in a calendar month. This does not change the university policy for usage of accruals for absences of 4 hours or more per work shift.
Employees taking more than two partial-day absences in a calendar month must use accruals. Time for absences of more than two partial-day absences per month may be made up/worked to avoid using accruals at a supervisor’s discretion if doing so was approved prior to the partial day. This option is to be communicated and administered fairly and consistently to all faculty and exempt staff employees affected by this SOP.
It is very important that supervisors and affected employees review the new expectations prior to implementation on Jan. 1. Yolanda Barner-Thomas, Assistant Director of Operations, is available to meet with your group or discuss individually with supervisor/faculty member/exempt staff members.
| | | NEW! Templates help ensure digital accessibility | UT Southwestern is working to ensure all digital documents are accessible per updated federal guidelines. To assist in that effort, the UTSW Brand team has put together accessible PowerPoint and Word templates for employee use. These templates are part of a broader effort to provide a welcoming workplace in which diverse needs are met. For more information about UT Southwestern's efforts to expand digital accessibility and the standards behind it, please visit Campus Updates. The page hosts tips, the latest information on training, and the UTSW compliance process. | | | NEW! Department introduces changes to The Pulse | |
In response to feedback from our readers, The Pulse will now run items for three weeks consecutively instead of four. This move maintains the visibility of newsletter items while shortening the length of the emails and improving readability.
Please note that new items will continue to be marked with a "NEW!" tag for easy recognition. Past editions of The Pulse are also available to view on the Psychiatry Department's news page.
Watch for The Pulse a day early for the next couple of weeks to ensure delivery before the upcoming holidays. Next week's edition will be sent on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and the following week's will be sent on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Submissions for each of those editions should be received by Noon on the Friday before that week's send.
| | | NEW! Department marks holidays with annual party | The Psychiatry Department celebrated the end of the calendar year with its annual Holiday Party on Dec. 10 at the A.W. Harris Faculty-Alumni Center. There was music, food, and fun for everyone who attended. | | | Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been published to Psychiatry SharePoint site | Over the past few months, the department has been examining best practices in a multitude of areas. New Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been published as PDFs on the Psychiatry SharePoint site. Please review the new SOPs at your leisure. Faculty and Staff leaders will be discussing them in more detail during upcoming Division/Staff meetings, but department leadership believes it is important to provide the SOPs in an accessible way for reference when needed. | | | Career Development Institute applications now open | |
Applications are now open for the Career Development Institute (CDI) for Psychiatry, a 24-month program designed for early career mental health researchers led by organizers from Stanford University and the University of Pittsburgh. The CDI begins with a four-day workshop from April 12-16, 2026, followed by two years of long-distance mentoring and interactive webinars held in a supportive community of alumni and faculty. The application deadline for this year's CDI is Jan. 9, 2026.
Click here for information and a QR code to apply. If you have difficulty logging in, please email CDIPsych@pitt.edu.
| | | Apply for EVIDENT initiative funding now | |
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will invest up to $100 million in more quantitative measures of mental and behavioral health through its Evidence-Based Validation & Innovation for Rapid Therapeutics in Behavioral Health (EVIDENT) initiative.
EVIDENT will pursue two foundational components to improve behavioral and mental health care: more robust data on individual clinical outcomes and patients’ unique responses to novel treatment approaches. As such, ARPA-H is seeking multimodal, longitudinal data collected in registered clinical trials testing the effects of rapid-acting interventions for behavioral health (e.g., neuroplastogens, neuromodulation, digital therapeutics).
TA1-3 proposals are due by Noon on Monday, Dec. 22. Visit the ARPA-H Customer Experience Hub below for more information, including links to ask questions and/or attend a Proposers’ Day event on Dec. 10. Please contact Yelonda Williams or Mariam Andersen for SPA deadline requirements.
| | | UTSW offers poster and presentation support | Do you have an upcoming poster presentation? Need a template, a logo, or just some inspiration? Visit the Health Sciences Digital Library and Learning Center's Poster & Presentation Support Guide. From getting started, through layout, graphics, printing, and preserving the presentation, the guide provides valuable reference material and links. Individual and group training and consultation is also available. | | | New Division Coordinators named | Congratulations to the following newly named Division Coordinators who will support the efforts of the Division Chiefs in the department's new structure. The department has filled three of these division coordinator positions with a plan to fill similar roles for General Adult Psychiatry and Psychology. | |
Martha Aguilar – Addiction Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Interventional Psychiatry
Martha Aguilar’s experience in behavioral health extends over 15 years. Her first job in the field was working at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Department of Psychiatry. She holds master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration and Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is pursuing a Doctorate in Behavioral Health – Management at Arizona State University. She shared that she is grateful to be part of UTSW, working with an exceptional team, and is enthusiastic about learning as much as she can from everyone.
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Thomas “Tom” Crone –
Psychiatry Neuroscience
Tom Crone joined the Department of Psychiatry in August 2003 as an administrator for then-Chairman Eric Nestler’s basic science research team. Over the past 22 years, he has worked his way up the ranks and is now the senior administrator of the Psychiatry Neuroscience Division. He oversees the daily operations of the division under the guidance of Division Director Dr. Yingxi Lin, Ph.D., which includes 10 basic science laboratories.
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Katie Elder –
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Katie Elder joined the Department of Psychiatry in February 2016, supporting medical students and assisting with recruitment efforts for the General Psychiatry Residency and combined programs. In January 2020, she transferred to the Department of Pediatrics, where she facilitated medical students' educational experiences and credentialed trainees at Children's Health. She returned to the Department of Psychiatry in August 2022, joining the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division. She is excited to continue working within this division in her new role and looks forward to making lasting contributions and supporting the division's growth.
| | | Welcome New Faculty and Staff | | |
NEW! Tracey Peacock has joined the Psychiatry team as the new Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator II for the general program. She is an internal transfer from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility program. She has been a GME Program Coordinator with UTSW for more than five years and has a strong background in higher education administration and digital communications. She currently serves on the UTSW GME CAP committee and aspires to seek further networking opportunities. She is also working to complete a Master’s degree in Library Sciences, so that when she retires, she can retire as a librarian.
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| |  | Dr. Karen Dorsman, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry with a dual appointment to the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP). Dr. Dorsman will serve as a bilingual neuropsychologist with a special focus on neurodevelopmental and neurogenetic disorders. Dr. Dorsman completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a predoctoral internship at UT Southwestern Medical Center and completed a 2-year, APPCN-member, postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas/UT Southwestern. Her clinical interests include genetic and neurodevelopmental disorders, acquired brain injuries, and rare neurological conditions, along with culturally responsible assessments. Her research interests center on social determinants of health, their impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes, and factors that support the optimization of neuropsychological evaluations by the systems in which children grow (e.g., family, school, and medical). Outside of work, Dr. Dorsman enjoys weightlifting, metabolic conditioning, traveling, gardening, and collaborating with her husband on renovation projects for their new home.
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Isaias Cruz Borbon has joined the Psychiatry Department as its new Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator I. He comes to the department with extensive experience in medical education and program coordination, most recently serving as a Medical Education Program Professional II with the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. His background also includes financial administration within academic medicine and several years of nonprofit coordination and community engagement. With strong skills in New Innovations, Thalamus, and university financial systems — as well as a demonstrated passion for communication, relationship-building, and supporting trainees — he brings a valuable blend of operational expertise and human-centered service to the team.
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Gabriela "Gabby" Argueta joins the Department of Psychiatry as a Clinical Staff Coordinator after three years at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Coppell, where she started as a Clinical Staff Assistant. Argueta shared, "After 10 years in the medical field, I can honestly say I'm a lot closer to my career goal and I'm very excited to see where this new journey takes me."
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NEW! Dr. Shawn McClintock, Ph.D., has received the Mid-Career Award from the International Neuropsychological Society in recognition of his meritorious contributions to the field and to INS.
Earlier this month, Dr. McClintock was also notified that he was selected into the University of Texas System's Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education. Dr. McClintock will be inducted into the academy during the Innovations in Health Science Education Conference in Austin on Feb. 26-27, 2026.
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NEW! Dr. Joseph Guillory, M.D., has been selected as the keynote speaker for the Metrocare ACER Research Symposium on April 10. The symposium is focused on advancing the field of mental health research within the Dallas area and fostering the growth of mentorship and academic partnerships.
Dr. Guillory also recently transitioned into the inaugural role of President Emeritus of the NAMI North Texas Board of Directors. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which "advocates for access to services, treatment, supports, and research, and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need."
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UT Southwestern Psychology recently hosted the oral examination for the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN), a specialty of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). This event brings in examiners from all over the country and allows the program to showcase UTSW while promoting the highest performance standards in the field. UTSW has a strong and growing number of ABPP board-certified neuropsychologists. Thank you to Dr. Veronica Bordes Edgar, ABCN President, for her support in bringing the event back to UTSW as well as Khameka Webb and Elida Godbey for their assistance in making the examination a success. The exam crew was complimentary of our facilities. Above, Exam Co-Chair Dr. Julie Bobholz (left), sits with Dr. Edgar (center), and ABCN Executive Director Dr. Bernice Marcopulos.
| | | Dr. Carolyn Rekerdres, M.D., adjunct professor for the Rural and Public Mental Health track, has been selected for the National Alliance on Mental Illness's (NAMI's) inaugural Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Rekerdres, who is a UTSW alum, was named to the advisory council along with Dr. Margaret Balfour, M.D., Ph.D., another former UTSW resident. Read more about the NAMI Scientific Advisory Council here. | | | |
Dr. Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., has been awarded the UT Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT) GME Program Director Outstanding Educator Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. The award will be presented at SWAT’s annual celebration of teaching excellence in early March.
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Dr. Lessley Chiriboga, M.D., M.P.H., has been named as the new Committee Chair for the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians' Professional Practice Management Committee. This committee meets to review clinical practice challenges affecting psychiatrists, bring ideas for education programs and policies to improve patient care, and update existing guidelines. Dr. Chiriboga officially took the position at the November 2025 Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians' Annual Conference and Scientific meeting.
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NEW! Dr. Kipp Pietrantonio, Ph.D., ABPP, was the closing keynote at the Texas Psychological Association Annual Convention at the end of November. His talk was on "Social Class Considerations within Psychotherapy."
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NEW! Dr. Jamie Becker, Ph.D., participated in a panel discussion representing the Texas Psychology Board at the Texas Psychological Association Annual Convention at the end of November.
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| | | NEW! UT Southwestern Psychiatrists made a strong showing at the 2025 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) conference in Chicago in October. Dr. David L. Atkinson, M.D., (pictured above) gave three presentations at the weeklong convention: "Applying Motivational Interviewing to Problematic Digital Media Use: Family-Based Strategies for Healthy Screen Use," "Psychedelic Hallucinogens in Youth: History, Current Perceptions, and Future Risk, Psychedelics in Recent and Remote History: A Guide for the Future," and a workshop, "Practical Skills for Addressing Adolescent Substance Use/Misuse in Outpatient Clinical Practice." Dr. Alyssa Shaffner, M.D., presented "Authenticity in Mentorship: Cultivating a Brave Space Utilizing Vulnerability and Self-Compassion. She also oversaw a poster presentation titled, "Enhancing Pediatric Psychopharmacology Education: Evaluating the Waco Guide as a Clinical Decision Support Tool" with contributions by H. Stokan, M. Mallya, I. Aly, J. Escalante, and J. Liu-Zarzuela. Dr. Kathlene Trello-Rishel, M.D., participated in a two-day MSR Mentorship Program and worked with Dr. Eric Shute, M.D., in the AACAP Resource Room during the conference.
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Several UT Southwestern Psychiatrists gave presentations at the 2025 Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP) conference in San Antonio in late November. Dr. Molly Camp, M.D., presented "Simulation in Medical Education." Year 1 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow Dr. Courtney Chineme, M.D. (pictured above with Dr. Seena Ounsinegad, M.D.) presented, "Push It to the Limit! Innovations in Counteracting Catatonia in Pediatric Populations." Dr. Abhisek Khandai, M.D., and Dr. Diana Robinson, M.D. presented a workshop titled, “Innovation in CL Education: Exploring Training Opportunities for Non-Psychiatry Resident Rotators.” Dr. Robinson also presented, "Critical Withdrawal: Navigating Complex Withdrawal States in the ICU." Dr. Ounsinegad, PGY-3, gave two presentations: "Be PrEP-ared: Implementing Smart HIV/AIDS Prevention Using AI and Time-Tested Strategies" and “It’s Probably Just Gas: The Role of CL Psychiatry in Care Coordination for Psychotic Pregnancy Denial."
| | | | Several UT Southwestern residents attended the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians' 69th Annual Convention and Scientific Program in early November. Dr. Shivani Raman, M.D., presented a poster titled "Support received from family is significantly associated with diabetes self-management behaviors both directly and through self-efficacy." Dr. Isreal "Blad" Munoz, M.D., presented a poster titled, "Bridging the Gap: Improving Mentorship for DO and IMG Psychiatry Applicants," which he authored along with Dr. Jasmine Liu-Zarzuela, M.D. | | | |
NEW! Check the calendar for Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Have you been taking advantage of visiting expertise? Psychiatry Grand Rounds will continue each Wednesday at Noon through May, with the exception of holidays and Psychiatry Department Town Hall dates. Details on individual presentations will be shared as they become available. Please watch for more information via calendar invitations or by checking the UT Southwestern Events Calendar.
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NEW! Data Resources at UTSW: Utilizing Internal EMR Data and Beyond
Learn to make the most of internal UTSW and affiliated hospitals' data with the "Data Resources at UTSW: Utilizing Internal EMR Data and Beyond." This didactic session for researchers at any stage is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2026, from Noon-1 p.m.
Participants will: learn about the various data platforms available at UTSW and affiliated hospitals, with insights directly from experts who manage and support these systems; learn how to formulate and submit effective internal data queries from experts who can clarify access processes, governance requirements, and integration between institutional data sources; learn how to access and use institutional data more effectively for research, quality improvement, and operational projects, including practical tips from those who manage the systems every day. Those who sign up but cannot attend will be able to access a recording of the session.
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Mark your calendars for in-person Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Don't miss your opportunity to learn from visiting physicians and educators when they come to UT Southwestern for in-person Psychiatry Grand Rounds. In-person attendance offers you the opportunity to interact with the visiting speaker and reflects well on the Psychiatry Department. In an effort to promote in-person events, please mark your calendars for the following Psychiatry Grand Rounds scheduled in the coming year.
Feb. 18, 2026
Dr. Zafiris "Jeff" Daskalakis, M.D., Ph.D., UC-San Diego Department of Psychiatry
Presenting "Harmonizing effectiveness & physiology: an exploration of magnetic brain stimulation in depression"
o Location: NG3.112
o Food will be: NG3.108
March 11, 2026
Dr. Chadi Calarge, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine
Presenting "Iron deficiency and adolescent brain development"
o Location: NG3.112
o Food will be: NG3.108
March 25, 2026
Dr. Benoit Mulsant, M.D., M.S., FRCPC, DLFAPA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Presenting "Can we predict the future of psychiatry?"
o Location: NG3.112
o Food will be: NG3.108
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