NEW! Texas medical license renewal includes new fingerprinting process

All doctors renewing their Texas medical licenses must follow a new fingerprinting process if they have not been fingerprinted since Jan. 15, 2018. Fingerprints must be processed by IdentoGo prior to renewal approval, which can take about 10 days, and a six-digit code created at the time of application must accompany their submission. Credentialing records cannot be updated until the new expiration date is reflected online, and the physician's ability to practice will be suspended if the license has not been renewed. The nearest IdentoGo location is at 1140 Empire Central Drive, Ste. 230, in Dallas, and is available by appointment only.

NEW! Presenting? Let the world know with this card

Presenting at a conference or other major event? Let others know about it by filling out a social media card. Social media cards are promoted through UT Southwestern's main channels and the Psychiatry X (Twitter) account. Share your information at least a week in advance to be sure that the card can be created in time for conference attendees to see it.

Children's Medical Center Dallas ranked among nation's top children's hospitals

Children’s Medical Center Dallas has once again been recognized among the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-2026 Best Children's Hospital rankings. It is the only hospital in North Texas to be ranked in all 11 pediatric specialties evaluated by U.S. News, and one of only a select few nationwide to achieve this distinction. This marks the eighth consecutive year – and the 14th time since 2008 – that the hospital has earned recognition across every specialty area. The Behavioral Health program has again been ranked in the Top 50 programs nationally (no specific numerical ranking is provided for behavioral health programs).

UTSW Alerts share vital emergency information

Be prepared in case of an emergency event. UTSW Alert (Everbridge) is a tile in Employee Self Service that links to the external Everbridge website. Everbridge is a mass notification system used by UT Southwestern to notify registered employees to emergency events in and around campus. UT Southwestern has named this system UTSW Alert. On the Everbridge website, employees have the ability to view the current contact information registered with UTSW Alert, and to opt in and out of subscriptions specific to location and job role. Please note that you must log into the UTSW network to access these pages.

Have you donated to the State Employee Charitable Campaign? Time is running out for prizes

The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) runs through Oct. 31. If you haven’t donated yet, now’s the perfect time to jump in. Not only will your contribution make a meaningful impact for the charity of your choice, but electronic donations through PeopleSoft or ConvergePay will enter you to win exciting prizes. You could win one of 50 prizes, including FC Dallas Fantasy Camp tickets, a Mavs facility tour, State Fair of Texas tickets, UT Southwestern branded items, and more! The earlier you donate, the better your chances of selecting your top prize from the lineup. Don't wait. Donate to your favorite cause now!

SOBP Junior Councilor nominations sought

The Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP) will accept nominations for Junior Councilors through Monday, Oct. 20. Junior Councilors are non-voting members of SOBP's Council. They are integral to discussions during the monthly council conference calls and the extended in-person council meetings held in December and April/May of each year. Junior Councilors serve a two-year term which would begin on June 1 of the meeting year and end on May 31 two years later. The Council roster always includes two Junior Councilors. SOBP is looking to fill one position at this time. Contact the organization here with any questions about this position 

Apply for an O'Donnell Brain Institute Sprouts Trainee Grant

Applications are now open for the O’Donnell Brain Institute Sprouts Grant Program. The grants give trainees the opportunity to take an independent role in formulating and carrying out a new research question relevant to their ongoing study. Funding is intended to encourage creative, high-quality research that also advances the training of early career laboratory or clinical scientists. The maximum total funding per project is $25,000 and goes to support new ideas from trainees (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, or clinical fellows) under the supervision of an OBI Investigator. All brain-related research areas are eligible. Preference will be given to proposals in the following areas:

• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease
• Delineation and/or modulation of normal and disease-altered brain circuits

Covered individuals are required to complete mandatory research security training

Covered individuals listed on federal research and development awards are required to complete mandatory research security training by Dec. 1, 2025, or before submitting new Department of Energy (DOE) or National Science Foundation (NSF) applications. Individuals who must complete the training will be notified of specified training modules in Taleo. Those who are assigned must complete all four modules:

• Module 1: What is Research Security? 
• Module 2: International Collaboration 
• Module 3: Manage and Mitigate Risk 
• Module 4: Introduction to Export Controls 

Individuals who do not see the training modules in their Taleo learning plan requirements are not required to complete them at this time. For more information, please refer to the FAQ below, visit the Research Security webpage, or contact the team here with questions.

Faculty development opportunities abound

Faculty Affairs and Career Development offers multiple opportunities for faculty to improve their teaching and coaching skills, learn from other educators, network, and build on prior experience to succeed. The university's wellness initiatives may also be of interest. These efforts include support at a local level, self-care resources, well-being interventions, and coaching.

Applications open for Inspiring Careers in Mental Health internship program

Applications are now open for Inspiring Careers in Mental Health, a two-week summer internship for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and rising college first-years. The program provides students with overviews of a range of careers available in mental health. Participants learn about the breadth of work available in mental health in areas like psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. 

NEW! Dr. Destiny Price, M.D., joins the department as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. She received her medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport and completed her General Psychiatry residency at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, followed by her Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia & Cornell. She will serve as an Adult Psychiatrist in the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Clinic in the Multispecialty Psychiatry Clinic at Empire Central. 

NEW! KE'Marvin (Kee) Pitts, LCSW, earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Troy University, where he also played Division I football for four years. He then completed his master's degree in Social Work at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. He worked as a therapist on the University of Southern California Sport Psychology team as well as a generalist therapist, supporting student-athletes and the wider student body. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, basketball, hiking, traveling, and dancing. He draws strength and direction from his faith and core values.

Sharon Davis, RN, graduated from South Plains College with an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2023 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through The University of Texas in Arlington. At UT Southwestern, she will work with the Multispecialty Psychiatric Clinic. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, and watching movies. She has a daughter who is currently in middle school.

Dr. Matthew Yung, M.D., has joined the department as an Assistant Professor and Medical Director of the Parkland Psychiatry Emergency Service. He also serves as teaching faculty at the Parkland Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Yung completed medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine and psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern where he served as Co-chief Resident. Following training, he joined faculty at NYU/Bellevue Hospital, where he served as Unit Chief of the Extended Care Unit caring for patients with SMI and assisting them transition to supportive housing. While in NYC, he completed the Columbia Psychoanalytic Fellowship to further his interest in psychodynamic therapy. 

Shamsad Texiwala, LCSW, joins the department as a Clinical Therapist. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor, a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto, an Advanced Certificate in Couples and Family Studies from the University of Guelph, and a Graduate Certificate in Addictions and Mental Health from Durham College. her clinical interests include supporting individuals through life transitions, navigating relationship dynamics, women’s health, and addiction recovery. She also finds joy in mentoring, teaching, and sparking growth in future clinicians. When she’s not in session, you can find Shamsad hopping on a plane for her next travel adventure, checking out new restaurants, experimenting in the kitchen, or hiking a scenic trail.

Hailey Umosen, LCSW-S, OSW-C, joins the department as a Clinical Therapist working in the department of Psycho-Oncology in Fort Worth. Hailey earned her Master of Social Work from Baylor University. She worked as an oncology social worker at Simmons Cancer Center in Fort Worth. She is also an adjunct professor at Texas Christian University.

Mathew Nguyen joins the department as a Clinical Research Assistant I in Dr. Emslie’s Lab. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington, with minors in Clinical Health Psychology and Spanish. His research focuses on understanding the effects of language and depression on affective and non-affective cognitive functioning. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano and learning languages.  

Dr. Kipp Pietrantonio, Ph.D., ABPP, and Dr. Collin Vas, M.D., were featured in a MedBlog titled "Effective OCD treatment to quiet intrusive thoughts, control repetitive behaviors." The MedBlog includes information about causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder.

NEW! Dr. Jane Foster, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2025 Charles Donovan Microbiome Prize at the APC Microbiome Ireland Annual Symposium in Cork, Ireland. The Donovan Prize was established in 2015 to acknowledge individuals who have made a significant contribution to microbiome science. Dr. Foster presented the Distinguished International APC lecture, “Microbes & mental health: Translating preclinical findings to the clinic,” at the symposium.

NEW! Psychology graduate student Leah Bullinger was awarded a National Academy of Neuropsychology 2025 Student Poster Award for "Sleep Difficulties After Concussion: Do Parents and Adolescents Agree?" It was one of the six highest rated posters this year. Congratulations to Leah, her research mentors, Dr. Munro Cullum and Dr. Stephen Bunt, Ed.D., and the ConTex research team!

NEW! The winner for the Golden Heart Award for Clinical Excellence for October is Ashanti Thomas, LMSW.

UT Southwestern's Neuropsychology testing team, including Dr. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., and his crew, led by Chief Psychometrist Leigh Hornberger, have been providing neuropsychological services for the Dallas Stars for more than 25 years. Recently, part of the team performed baseline testing as part of the NHL concussion program. 

Dr. Adriana Cabrales, Ph.D., a 2025 graduate of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, received the Texas Psychological Foundation's (TPF) Honoree Award, which recognizes outstanding original research projects. The award includes $1,000 to support research and academic pursuits.

Dr. Jennifer Coughlin, M.D., has been awarded a $4 million grant by the National Institute of Mental Health to study the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) in the brains of people with virally suppressed HIV. The CSF1R is a marker expressed by microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, and can be quantified across the brain using positron emission tomography (PET). This proposal will study the relationship between the neuroimmune response in select brain regions and performance in measures of cognitive control in treated HIV. 

Dr. Robin B. Jarrett, Ph.D., ABPP, has been named a 2025 Distinguished Alumnus by the Psychology Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In a congratulatory letter, the UNC Greensboro Psychology Department noted that the honor goes to those whose work has been visionary and transformative, specifically referencing Dr. Jarrett's work helping facilitate advances in the treatment of depression and relapse prevention in adults and youth, along with her scholarship, mentoring activities, global collaborations, and impact.

Dr. Abhisek Khandai, M.D., has been elected to Fellowship in the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Fellowship in the ACLP is one of the academy’s highest honors, recognizing members who have demonstrated sustained commitment to the academy and contributions to the field of consultation-liaison psychiatry as educators, researchers, administrators, and leaders. 

Lidia Ortiz, a Program Coordinator for the Psychiatry Department, won first place in the Creative Nonfiction Literary Work category of the 2025 On My Own Time™ (OMOT) Employee Art Show for her story "Nopalitos." She and the other winners have been invited to read their works aloud at Literary Night on Oct. 9 at the Dallas College Brazos Gallery. For more information about the contest, see the winning entries, and view more than 40 submissions, click on this link.

Bradley Cleaver, an Administrative Associate in the Psychiatry Department, was awarded first place in the Ceramics, Wood, & Glass-Professional category of the 2025 On My Own Time™ (OMOT) Employee Art Show for his sculpture, "Garden of Eyes." The piece is on display at an exhibition of OMOT work sponsored by the North Texas Business Council for the Arts at Northpark Mall in the Macy's courtyard area until Oct. 5.

UT Southwestern Medical Center has been awarded a $249,990 Short-term Community-based Opioid Recovery Effort (CORE) grant by the Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC) for 2025. UT Southwestern's grant was awarded in the Treatment and Coordination of Care category. Dr. Pedro Fernandez, M.D., a member of the OAFC and Chief of Service at Parkland Health, was quoted in a press release saying that the council was honored to support organizations across the state that are working to confront the opioid crisis. “By awarding these grants, we are empowering communities, expanding access to lifesaving care and building the capacity needed to bring hope and healing to the Texans most affected — a central goal of the Council’s mission,” he said.

The winner for the Golden Heart Award for Clinical Excellence for September was Dr. Courtney Sanders, Ph.D.

NEW! Dr. Tarek K. Rajji, M.D., joined a high-impact panel at the UN Science Summit on advancing mental health policy on a global stage in late September. The session was hosted by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. 

NEW! Dr. Snoben Kuruvila, DMS, MSPAS, PA-C, CAQ-Psy presented at the THR Behavioral Health Grand Rounds in October on the topic "Novel Therapies for Individuals with Cocaine and Methamphetamine Use Disorder."

Dr. Elena Ivleva, M.D., Ph.D., chaired a session and delivered an invited presentation, “An Evidence-Based Roadmap to the Initial Management of First-Episode Psychosis (FEP): Focus on Early Interventions in Schizophrenia,” at the Psych Congress, 2025 in San Diego. The session provided a structured, evidence-based approach to the identification and management of first-episode psychosis, focusing on critical first patient encounters following diagnosis. Dr. Ivleva discussed up-to-date pharmacologic and psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, and strategies for care coordination, ensuring that clinicians can deliver effective early intervention to support long-term recovery and functional stability. In addition, in partnership with Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance, the session incorporated a panel discussion with individuals with lived experience. Psych Congress 2025, the largest independent mental health conference, draws annually over 3,500 mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other mental health professionals who attend the event for practical, up-to-date psychopharmacology education.  

Dr. Alaa Hajeissa, M.D., a first-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow, was selected to participate in the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's (AACAP) System of Care Special Program Clinical Poster Award and Fellowship. He will be studying how legislation prohibiting the use of smartphones during instructional time impacts schoolchildren's academic performance and mental health. 

Dr. Molin Shi, Ph.D., presented on the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Research Team's work to Teen Cancer America's Monthly Drip series. The presentation was titled, "Meeting the Unmet Needs of Young Adults with Cancers and in Survivorship." 

NEW! From question to query: How to find and manage data at UTSW 

Have data questions but not sure where to begin? This Nov. 18 didactic session will walk you through the basics of finding, requesting and managing data at UTSW so you can spend less time feeling stuck and more time moving your research forward. You will learn what types of data are available at UTSW and who to ask about them. It will help you understand the basic process for requesting data and getting support. Get familiar with campus resources that can help manage and organize your data. Get tips on how to properly manage your data. The organizers say the session is perfect for researchers at any stage who want to make the most of the data resources around them. A recording will be available for those who register but cannot attend.

NEW! Introducing the ENACT Network: Powering the next wave of multisite research

The Clinical and Translational Science (CTSA) Award program will present a webinar about the ENACT Network on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from Noon-1 p.m. The webinar will focus on ways that the platform can assist principal investigators, research coordinators, statisticians, and clinical research staff in developing and managing multisite research studies. Discussion topics include navigating the platform, building cohorts, and executive data queries for collaborative research.

Psychiatry Department Town Hall Meeting

The next Psychiatry Department Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, Noon-1 p.m. via Zoom. Watch your calendar for the Zoom link.

Clinical Research Infrastructure Presentation

Dr. T. Abigail Ortiz, M.D., will present information about her research at the Tuesday, Oct. 21 Clinical Research Infrastructure meeting. Those interested in a preview of the presentation can some of the subject matter by viewing this webinar held in August.

As a reminder, all clinical faculty providing clinical services at the university must not opt out of participation in Medicare or Medicaid. It is a requirement of your faculty appointment that UT Southwestern be able to enroll you with Medicare and Medicaid for billing purposes. If you are considering opting out, please reach out to your Division Chief to discuss.