NEW! CTSA Writing Accountability Groups

The next two cohorts of the UT Southwestern Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program Writing Accountability Group will begin in Fall 2025, from August to September and from October to November. The aim of the group is to help writers stay focused, inspired, and productive. Group members will have dedicated time once a week for six weeks with a community of writers committed to staying accountable, making consistent progress, and successfully achieving their goals.

Faculty Research Mentor Training Program

UT Southwestern's Office of Faculty Affairs and Career Development has launched an interactive Research Mentor Training Program in collaboration with the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the NCATS CTSA KL2/K12 Program, and the Office of Faculty Development. The first workshop, "Aligning Expectations and Maintaining Effective Communication," is offered on the following two dates from 8:30am to 12:00pm. Breakfast is provided.

• Wednesday, July 15, NG3.202 (North Campus): Register
• Wednesday, August 5 (North Campus Room TBD): Register

EDU (Educator Development at UT Southwestern) 2025, sponsored by the Office of Faculty Development, in partnership with Southwestern Academy of Teachers, is now available online. The series includes ten videos, designed for all levels of faculty, that critical educational topics. Adriane dela Cruz, M.D., Ph.D., is a subject expert on the Kern Framework Steps 1 and 2, and Sarah Baker, M.D., on the Struggling Learner.

Fall 2025 SUCCESS Program

The Office of Faculty Development's Fall 2025 SUCCESS (Starting University Clinical Careers Effectively, Scholarly, and Successfully) Program provides brief presentations on numerous topics relevant to career success as academic physicians and provides key information, resources, and contacts for newly hired and current Instructors and Assistant Professors on the Clinician-Educator, Clinical Scholar, and Clinician tracks.

Part 1 will focus on adjusting to being a faculty member and educator development and conclude with an educational leadership panel discussion:

• Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 8:00am-11:30am (virtual) - Register

Part 2 will focus on P&T success, work/life integration, scholarly productivity, and an opportunity to engage with successful peers in a Q&A panel discussion:

• Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 8:00am-12:00pm (virtual) - Register

Transition in Clerkship Directors

Ashley Woolbert, M.D., has transitioned from Associate Clerkship Director to Clerkship Director, in replacement of Chadrick Lane, M.D., who has accepted new roles as Associate Program Director for the Psychiatry/Neurology Combined Residency Program, Director of the Educator Area of Concentration in the General Psychiatry Residency Program, and Chair of the Retreat Committee. Latoya Frolov, M.D., is our new Associate Clerkship Director.

OBI Trainee Travel Grants

The O'Donnell Brain Institute is accepting applications for grants that support OBI-affiliated trainees who are presenting original research at national and international conferences. A trainee is defined as a Ph.D. student, postdoctoral scientist, resident, or clinical fellow, and the grant awards are up to $2,500 each. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the remainder of 2025.

NEW! Kaylea Gawf, originally from Arkansas, graduated from Baylor in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and experience in psychoneuroimmunology research. Kaylea has joined the Kitamura Lab as a research technician. Outside of work, Kaylea's hobbies include reading and trying new coffee shops.

Jeanné Dube earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology from the University of Texas at Tyler. She is excited to join UTSW as a Psychometrist II in the Neuropsychology Clinic.

Anuratha Subbareddi, M.S., holds a master’s degree in microbiology and brings six years of hands-on experience in a clinical laboratory setting to her role as a Research Assistant I in the Gospocic Lab. Her goal is to continue growing in science and to contribute meaningfully to the field that inspires her every day.

NEW! The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center highlighted the work of Gavin Sanders, Ph.D., a neuropsychology postdoctoral fellow, in its Quick Review of Model System Research feature: Barriers to Driving and Psychosocial Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury.

The UT Southwestern press release "Study reveals disparities in mental health care for Texas youth" highlights the article Examining Treatment Options in Youth With Major Depressive Disorder: Observations From the TX‐YDSRN Registry Study, authored by E. Rabia Ayvaci, M.D., and colleagues from the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care directed by Madhukar Trivedi, M.D.

Darlene King, M.D., was quoted in a Time magazine article about the risks of AI therapy from chatbots.

Valerie Loehr, Ph.D., was featured in Southern Methodist University's alumni spotlight.

Betsy Kennard, Psy.D., participated in a live Good Morning Texas interview on how the SPARC program at Children's Health offers support for patients experiencing mental health challenges and suicidal ideation.

NEW! Service Milestones Achieved

The Department of Psychiatry has 51 staff and faculty that reached milestone years as of December 31, 2024 -- one of the largest groups in all the departments on campus. Their accomplishments represent several centuries of experience and are a testament to their commitment to our patients and our mission. Please take a moment to reach out to your colleagues and congratulate them on their dedication and service to the University and the Department of Psychiatry.

• 5 Years: Francisco Argueta-Ortiz, E. Rabia Ayvaci, Amanda Bower, Suzanne Brann, Julia Bunton, Alexander Cole, Erin Cox, Dena Daniel, Amber Deane, Amber Gibson, Michael Kandalaft, Greg King, Danielle Malone, Matthew Martin, Venkata Mukkavilli, Samaiya Mushtaq, Gabriela Reyes, Diana Robinson, Courtney Smith, Ashkan Soltan, Ann Tennier, Russell Toll
• 10 Years: Julia Cartwright, Veronica Bordes Edgar, Adrianna Harris, Cason Hicks, Sharlenta Johnson, Katherine Bellone Mount, Leslie Rosenstein, Chanel Smith, Daniela Vela
• 15 Years: Cherise Chin Fatt, Elida Godbey, Jo Kutty Kurian, Marianne Nash, Heidi Rossetti, Bo Wu
• 20 Years: Ling-Yu Chang, Ellie Hakim, Wei Li, Deanna Liss-Clarke, Shawn McClintock, Jane Miles, James Norcross, Catherine Orsak, Ronny Pipes

Our members with 25 year and longer milestones are recognized in the following Quarter Century Club feature.

Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our department members who have achieved 25 to 40 years of UT Southwestern service. We are thankful for all their contributions in supporting our operations, leading our educational endeavors, and advancing our scholarship. A special collection on Center Times Plus shares their perspectives and some surprising facts. 

Additionally, an inspirational video highlights the stories of several honorees at UT Southwestern, beginning with Dr. Cullum!

Watch the Video.

Joshua Hubregsen, M.D., has received the Early Career Development Award from the Association for Academic Psychiatry. Dr. Hubregsen was selected from an extremely strong set of applicants for this very high achievement that places a great value on outstanding leaders, educators, researchers, and clinicians in psychiatry. 

The Association for Academic Psychiatry has selected Kayla Murphy, M.D., a resident in the Internal Medicine-Psychiatry Combined Residency Program, to receive its Resident Psychiatric Educator Award.

Snoben Kuruvila, PA-C, earned the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry (CAQ-Psych).

Tope Adedolapo, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., was selected as Deputy Representative for Area 5 to the Assembly Committee of Resident-Fellow Members at the American Psychiatric Association.

Snoben Kuruvila, PA-C, attended the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he chaired the session "Individual Research Reports: Advances in Psychosis and Neurocognitive Disorders Research." Additionally, he was a discussant on the presentation "Novel Therapies for Individuals with Cocaine / Methamphetamine Use Disorder: Findings from Studies Within the NIDA Clinical Trials Network."

Carmen Cruz, Psy.D., presented a full day CE workshop on Multicultural and Relational Clinical Supervision for training faculty at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 

Residents well represented our training program at the American Psychiatric Association's residency fair portion of its annual meeting, speaking to interested candidates about our many opportunities for postgraduate education. Temitope Adedolapo, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., Courtney Chineme, D.O., Brendalyn Iweh, M.D., Isreal Munoz, M.D., Jasmine Liu-Zarzuela, M.D., M.P.H. and Abibat (Tobi) Saliu, M.D., volunteered at the event, and Enrique Chiu Han, M.D., helped with the swag.

But First My Mental Health: Building Self Awareness and Developing Personal Wellness

UT Southwestern Medical Center Faculty Wellness Keynote Address Wednesday, July 9, 12-1pm via Zoom Speaker: Amor Correa, Ph.D.

The Impact of Health Literacy on Mental and Physical Health Inequalities

Friday, July 11, 12-1pm via Zoom

Speakers: Valerie Loehr, Ph.D., and Rachel Elkins, Psy.D.

Educational Objectives: 1) Recognize the factors that contribute to health inequities. 2) Examine strategies for addressing inequities in practice, research, and education 3) Identify and discuss systemic change activities in support of health equity. 

The Department of Psychiatry Health Equity Forum is a monthly interactive series directed by Olufunke Awosogba, Ph.D., that aims to foster a deeper understanding of mental health disparities and to empower participants to integrate evidence-based best practices into their daily clinical practice.

Waiting to Exhale - A Journey to Self-Discovery

UT Southwestern Medical Center Faculty Wellness Panel Discussion

Wednesday, July 23, 12-1pm via Zoom

Moderator, Jaime Harry, LCSW

Speakers: Julie Trivedi, M.D., Alejandra Alfaro, Marvin Washington, LPC, Terrie Jenkins, LCSW-S

Ethics Grand Rounds

The Ethics Program has announced its 2025-2026 schedule. The series will take place monthly on Tuesdays, September 9, 2025, to May 12, 2026, 12-1pm, and be presented virtually, except on February 10, which will be a hybrid event, with the in-person option located on the North Campus, in the Simmons Biomedical Research Building, room NB2.100A.