|
We had two exceptional announcements related to the Psychiatry Department last week – one about a longtime collaborator with the department and another about a new leader among us.
First, I would like to congratulate Dr. Joel Elmquist, D.V.M., Ph.D., on his election to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). This well-deserved honor is one of the highest forms of recognition for scientists in the United States. The NAS advises the federal government on matters of science and technology, and its members are active contributors to the international scientific community.
Dr. Elmquist is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Internal Medicine with secondary appointments in Psychiatry and Pharmacology. The Director of the Center for Hypothalamic Research, Dr. Elmquist has had a long-standing relationship with the Psychiatry Department since 2006. He worked alongside fellow NAS member Dr. Eric Nestler, M.D., Ph.D., the then-Psychiatry Chair and Drs. Jeffrey Zigman and Michael Lutter. The team studied neuropeptides and peripheral hormones including ghrelin and leptin that control feeding behavior and mood. Dr. Elmquist has maintained his Psychiatry appointment since that time and his staff regularly attend Psychiatry Neuroscience WIPS.
Dr. Elmquist is an exceptional scientist and the Chair’s Office extends its formal congratulations to him on this honor. For those unfamiliar with Dr. Elmquist’s work and his history at UT Southwestern, please see this news release announcing his election to the NAS.
| |
I am also delighted to report that UT Southwestern has appointed 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 UTSW, beginning on Aug. 3. Mr. Young brings more than two decades of experience in behavioral health care and its leadership. In his current role as CEO of The Harris Center in Houston, he leads more than 2,600 team members who deliver behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability services to more than 96,000 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.
We are pleased to have Mr. Young join us and expect that he will do great things at TBHC. Dr. Hicham Ibrahim, M.D., M.B.A., Vice President and Senior Executive Officer for Ambulatory Services, will continue serving as Interim CEO until Mr. Young’s arrival. Please see Dr. Podolsky's announcement for more information on Mr. Young's appointment.
Cheers,
Tarek K. Rajji, M.D.
Professor and Chair
| | |
Announcements - Ensuring Accessibility
Welcome New Faculty and Staff - In the Media - Kudos
Presentations - Celebrations, Events, and Save the Dates
| | |
NEW IN THIS ISSUE
- A new Texas law requires practitioners to create CE Broker account
- Noah Puente is a new Clinical Research Coordinator with the department
- Dr. Andre Russowsky Brunoni, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., is quoted in the New York Times
- ASD gene studies by Dr. Maria Chahrour, Ph.D. are the focus of a news release
- Dr. Jeff Schaffert, Ph.D., achieves ABPP Clinical Neuropsychology certification
- Cecilia Lazcano is awarded the Erin Bain Jones Scholarship
- Psychiatry Department faculty and students present at the O'Donnell Brain Institute Annual Research Day
- Dr. Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., gives two presentations
| |
NEW! Health care practitioners must create a CE Broker account to comply with new Texas law
| |
A new Texas law requires all health care practitioners to verify continuing education (CE) through CE Broker, which the Texas Medical Board has designated as the official tracking platform. Effective on Sept. 1, providers must have an active CE Broker account.
Please do the following required actions for your UTSW CME Credits to be uploaded into CE Broker.
The Office of Continuing Education has established a support service to assist you through this process. Please email your request to: CEOffice@utsouthwestern.edu. Webinars providing step-by-step tutorials on using CE Broker to track, manage, and report CME, supporting audit readiness and ongoing compliance will be announced soon. Check the link below for more information
| | | 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. | | | 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.
| | | 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.
| | | Welcome New Faculty and Staff | | |
NEW! Noah Puente, M.P.H., B.S.P.H., recently joined the Psychiatry Department as a Clinical Research Coordinator for Dr. Jennifer Coughlin's team. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from The University of Texas at Arlington and his Master of Public Health from UT Southwestern. He has worked in health education and direct patient care.
| | | |
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.
| | | |
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).
| | | |
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.
| | | |
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.
| | | |
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).
| | | 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. | | | |
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.
| | | |
NEW! Dr. Jeff Schaffert, Ph.D., achieved American Board of Professional Psychology Specialty Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology.
| | | |
NEW! Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student Cecilia Lazcano has been awarded the Erin Bain Jones Scholarship from the Dallas Woman’s Club Foundation.
| | | |
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.
| | | 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.
| | | |
NEW! The Psychiatry Department was well-represented at the O'Donnell Brain Institute Annual Research Day on April 29. Dr. Anila D'Mello, Ph.D., gave the keynote address, "Little Brain, Big Impact: The Cerebellum in Health and Disease." Ekene Nwosisi-Oluwadamisi (pictured), a graduate student in Clinical Psychology, presented, "Mental Health Outcomes in Black and Latine Mothers of Autistic Children: Risk & Protective Factors.” Dr. Joseph Guillory, M.D., presented, “Peer-Led Recovery Support Following Psychiatric Discharge for Transitional Age Youth: A Randomized Pilot Study.”
| | | NEW! Dr. Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., recently gave two presentations. He presented “Role of the Addiction Psychiatrist in the Transplant Process” at the 2026 UT Southwestern Liver Disease and Transplant Symposium Fort Worth, and “Addiction Medicine for the Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist” at the UT Southwestern 9th Annual Hepatology Update. | | | 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. | | | |
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." | | | Celebrations, Events, and Save the Dates | |
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.
| | |
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.
| | | |
View as Webpage
You are receiving The Pulse e-newsletter as a member or affiliate of the Psychiatry Department. Email items to Psychiatry Communications by 5 p.m. on Fridays for consideration of inclusion in the next issue.
| | | | |
