July 20, 2022
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Annually in June and July, spanning the end of one educational year and the beginning of the next, education-related news is always on the forefront. The Department of Psychiatry prides itself in its many educational activities, as would be expected, having substantial programs in resident psychiatric education, Ph.D. psychology training, specific fellowships, basic science graduate education, and postdoctoral training. It represents a vast range in teaching: Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience. It all shows the brain and its many facets, which we can see in our clinical care and our research. The breadth of this educational perspective is becoming increasingly attractive to learners, with many long-standing puzzles of brain function seemingly nearing clarity. It is hard for me not to see a link between the new James Webb telescope pictures of the universe, which are products of amazing new technology placed in space that generate completely new information; these could be parallel to the new and novel technologies in brain science, which generate new knowledge and can be applied to the understanding of human brain and behavior. This kind of opportunity in Psychiatry is recognized by many of our students as a strong attractor to this field.  
--Carol A. Tamminga, M.D.
Department Chair
In This Issue
Spotlight on Medical Student Education in Psychiatry -- New Faculty/Staff -- Awards and Accomplishments -- Minority Mental Health Awareness Month -- Other Upcoming Events -- OBI News
Spotlight on... Medical Student Education in Psychiatry
Around 240 medical students spend 6 weeks in the Psychiatry clerkship each year, and 50 or more spend additional elective time in Psychiatry. Rachel Russo, M.D. (pictured right), outgoing Clerkship Director, and Sarah Baker, M.D. (pictured below left), previous Associate Clerkship Director and incoming Clerkship Director, are immensely grateful for the many faculty and staff who work with and teach our students. Psychiatry faculty also advise students who apply to psychiatry residencies. In this increasingly competitive process, we were delighted to have all 13 students match this year. We appreciate the work of the faculty who advise and the faculty and residents who lead mock interviews to help students prepare.
Dr. Russo, a proponent of interactive, active learning, worked with Kathlene Trello-Rishel, M.D., and Dr. Baker to incorporate team-based learning and simulation into the clerkship lecture series, and a resident-created anti-racism workshop is now part of the clerkship. We were unable to offer visiting students elective spots the past 2 years due to the pandemic, but visiting students will return this month. We also have created a diversity scholarship to help recruit underrepresented minority residents by attracting students who otherwise might be unable to rotate here.
Dr. Russo is moving to San Diego for family reasons but hopes to continue her work in education at the University of California. Under her leadership our clerkship has consistently received top marks from students, with record numbers choosing careers in psychiatry. Dr. Russo also led the clerkship's transition to a virtual experience during the pandemic and has been resourceful and creative in developing new clinical sites. In addition, Dr. Russo has regularly presented workshops and posters at meetings of the Association for Academic Psychiatry and the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP, pictured above right) and published in the journal Academic Psychiatry, advancing our department's education scholarship.
With Dr. Baker becoming the Clerkship Director, Chadrick Lane, M.D. (pictured right), will move into the role of Associate Clerkship Director. Dr. Baker and Dr. Lane are excited to take on their new roles and continue the success of the psychiatry clerkship and electives. They are excited to bring changes to reflection rounds this year, with the help of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, as well as return to in-person didactics. They also aim to continue to expand elective opportunities in psychiatry and support students in applying for psychiatry residency. If you have interest in helping with the new clerkship reflection rounds, the simulation activity, or working with medical students clinically, please email Dr. Baker and Dr. Lane.
Medical Education Awards and Accomplishments
Adriane dela Cruz, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Residency Training Program Director for Didactics and Research, Director of Brain and Behavior Course, and Assistant Director of Academic Colleges (pictured on the right) received ADMSEP's 2022 Devneil Vaidya Junior Faculty Teaching Award, in recognition of her enthusiastic approach to medical student education and leadership in curricular innovation, and received the 2022 ADMSEP Innovation in Medical Education Award for the project BRAINival Toxidrome-apalooza. Lia Thomas, M.D. (pictured on the left), Associate Residency Training Director for Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Recruitment Strategies, won the 2022 Scholarly Publication Award from ADMSEP for her article "What Should Faculty Advisors Know Before Advising Students Applying to Psychiatry Residency." Dr. Thomas also guest edited a special topical collection of articles on US Medical School Curriculum Reform Effects on Education in Psychiatry for the journal Academic Psychiatry.
ADMSEP 2022 Annual Meeting in Austin, pictured back row, left to right: Kathlene Trello-Rishel, M.D., Rachel Russo, M.D., Sarah Baker, M.D., Bernice Yau, M.D. (Resident in Educator Concentration); front row: Danielle Morelli, M.D. (Resident in Educator Concentration), Adriane dela Cruz, M.D., Ph.D., Adam Brenner, M.D. (Vice Chair for Education), Lia Thomas, M.D.
Congratulations, Psychiatry Residency Graduates!
Back row: Drs. Jay Italiya, Samia Arthur-Bentil, Megan Lowther, Jenny Tan, Hunter Neely, Ashlin Szalanski. Front row: Drs. Darlene King, Margaret Wang, Damilola Salako, Megan Tusken, Arielle Rubin, Alexis Kropf, Michael Giles
Congratulations, Addiction Fellowship Graduates!
Drs. Poorvanshi Alag, Sidarth Wakhlu (fellowship director), Arqam Abdali, Vecheslav Fedorchenco, Timothy Saeed, and Stephanie Joseph celebrate graduation from the addiction psychiatry fellowship.
Did You Know?
Several faculty and staff have similar (even the same) names but very different roles, and not everyone in Outlook is also at UTSW (e.g., Texas Health employees). Remember to check the whole email address when preparing correspondences, as well as any available properties for the individuals addressed in Outlook, to make sure your message is going to the right person.
Faculty Openings
We have many opportunities!
for current openings.
Welcome!
New Faculty
New Staff
  • Brisa Afanador, Senior Administrative Assistant, Psychology
  • Sara Ghazi, Administrative Associate, Mood Disorders
  • Nandini Jha, Population Science Data Analyst II, Mood Disorders
  • Jack Kaufman, Psychometrist II, Psychology
  • Victoria Lindsey, Clinical Data Specialist, Brown Lab
  • Cameron Losee, Ambulatory RN, BL7 Clinic
  • Bobby Paul, Clinical Research Coordinator, Mood Disorders
  • Shamari Pitts, Clinical Data Specialist, Emslie Lab
  • LaShonda Thomas, Research Study Coordinator, Mood Disorders
  • Elizabeth Valdez, Clinic Staff Assistant I, BL7 Clinic
Psychiatric Residency Orientation with Dr. Brenner and Dr. Tamminga
Awards and Accomplishments
Doximity Residency Reputation Ranking 2022-2023



Our psychiatry residency is ranked #15 in the USA and #1 in the South! 


Thank you all for your efforts in making our program excellent and in spreading the word!
Psychology Graduate Student William Goette was selected to receive the 2022 American Psychological Foundation Lorrain D. Eyde Fund Grant in support of his research examining bias in neuropsychological tests using advanced statistical methods. His work will provide a foundation for new methods of test development and will aid in our understanding of the influence of sociodemographic factors on cognitive test scores.
Jeethu Joseph has been selected by the Graduate Student Organization as one of the recipients of the 2022 GSO Leadership Award. The GSO leadership award recognizes meaningful service that has improved the graduate student experience at UTSW. Jeethu Joseph has made significant contributions in student organizations and has led activities that have benefitted the student population.
Assistant Professor Pedro Fernandez, M.D., has been appointed to the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council, which was formed to oversee the allocation of opioid settlement funds.
Congratulations to our faculty taking part in the Minnesota 2022 Update Conference to Update Education and Training Guidelines in Clinical Neuropsychology September 12-16 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The Department of Psychiatry's Division of Psychology is proud to have so many faculty representing UTSW at this important upcoming conference being held to review and update the education and training guidelines for neuropsychologists. UTSW has more representatives than any other school in North America, reflecting on our long tradition of excellence and leadership in the field of neuropsychology.
Alice Ann Holland, Ph.D., ABPP, delegate representing American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology
Laura Lacritz, Ph.D., ABPP, delegate representing National Academy of Neuropsychology
Nyaz Didehbani, Ph.D., ABPP, delegate representing Sports Neuropsychology Society
Munro Cullum, Ph.D, ABPP, delegate representing Sports Neuropsychology Society
Lana Harder, Ph.D., ABPP, at-large representative
Veronica Bordes Edgar, Ph.D., ABPP, part of the Steering Committee
The Planning Commission also acknowledged Drs. Lacritz and Bordes Edgar for their work in planning the program and process, delegate selection, and planning funding, scheduling, and logistics.
4th Year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate Dennis Burchette, Jr., presented his research at the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research Symposium and Scientific Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 10-12, 2022. This research was conducted under the mentorship of Jenna Oppenheim, Psy.D., Julie Germann, Ph.D., and Alecia Nero, M.D., at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Veronica Bordes Edgar, Ph.D., ABPP, partnered with the Dallas Mavericks and the GEM (Girls Empowered by Mavericks) to speak to young girls on self-esteem and social media.
The Dallas Morning News
"Paul Quinn’s focus on mental health helps college students through trauma, stay on track -- UT Southwestern provides the campus clinic a full-time psychiatrist [Jessica Moore, M.D.], who often pulls in two more residents to assist students."

Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care
The CDRC VitalSign6 team implemented the VitalSign6 tool at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in April, and in just 4 months TTUHSC has screened over 3,500 patients for depression! The VitalSign6 team have trained 300+ front-end staff, nurses, and clinicians on Measurement Based Care for Depression using VitalSign6.
The CDRC partnered in the weeklong AT&T Performing Arts Center STEAM Summer Camp (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math) for youth 10 to 17 years old, hosted by the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the YMCA, which incorporated the performing arts to teach students about various STEAM topics with other partners (e.g., Perot Museum, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Sweet Pass Sculpture Park). At camp, Madhukar Trivedi, M.D., overviewed mental health, Russell Toll, M.D. (pictured right), discussed how the brain works and being compassionate and excellent to each other, Heather Gerling, Ph.D., discussed resilience through the Blue Steel program, and Dr. Gerling and Harmony Hilton discussed self-monitoring through EVEXIA. Kathryn Forbes and Garrett Monroe's participation in teaching YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health) had lots of interaction, team building, and role playing, making them a favorite among attendees.
Tobi Fuller, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN gave a talk titled "Mood Disorders and Fostering Resilience in You(th)" to teachers and 10th grade students participating in the UTSW STARS Summer Research Program on June 29.
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
The UTSW Office of Faculty Wellness, in partnership with the Employee Assistance Program, is working to increase awareness of the unique mental health struggles racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ minority communities face with special events during the month of July, including a Virtual Panel Event, which will discuss mental health within populations of color and offer a host of perspectives from licensed counselors, physicians, Ph.D.s, social workers, and community members from a variety of cultural backgrounds who can speak to strategies, research, stigmas, and more, given their experiences working with populations of color. The keynote event It’s OK Not to be OK: Strength Over Silence will feature Joe Powell, LCDC, CAS, President and CEO of the Association of Persons Affected by Addiction, who will share personal experience with mental health obstacles and overcoming adversity.
Cate Orsak, M.D., Committee Member
Joseph Guillory, M.D., Panelist
Olufunke Awosogba, Ph.D., Panelist
Surviving to Thriving:
URM Faculty Group Wellness Coaching
Experiencing an academic career as an underrepresented minority (URM) faculty member in medicine brings unique challenges to personal well-being and overall wellness. The Office of Faculty Wellness is also setting up small group coaching for discussions focused on showing up as ourselves, stepping out of our comfort zones, engaging with each other, and developing community. The first of six sessions will begin Thursday, August 11, at 4 p.m. Members will meet biweekly through Microsoft Teams. Space is limited to the first 10 faculty to register, but when the first group is full, a waitlist will be created for future groups.
Other Upcoming Events
Summer Workshops: Scientific Presentations
The Scientific Presentations research development series sponsored by the UTSW Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program will focus on the foundational skill of scientific presentations. The founder of BioScience Writers, Susan Marriott, Ph.D., will lead the Zoom-based workshops.
Developing Engaging Oral Presentations – July 21; 4-7 p.m.
Learn to explain your work in a clear, engaging way to peers, students, and even family members. This workshop will help you approach your presentation and manage your audience with confidence. Register to attend.
Creating Impactful Slide Presentations – Aug. 25; 4-7 p.m.
This workshop features tools to prepare slides and deliver engaging presentations. You will learn how to create a presentation layout and design simple and clean slides that showcase your research. Register to attend.
Psychiatry Department Town Hall August 3, 12pm
Email Robbin Peck with your topics and questions for the town hall or complete the Form with your input.
Ethics Grand Rounds Resume September 13
Save the Date
Department of Psychiatry
Faculty Retreat
Friday, October 7, 2022
Networking: 8:30 a.m.
Start: 9:00 a.m.
End: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
The Summer Issue of the OBI's Neurotransmissions newsletter is now available! It includes features on Carol Tamminga, M.D., as one of the investigators who received the OBI's first Visionary Neuroscience Program grant, and Manish Jha, M.D., who was named as a Clinical Neuroscience Scholar. It highlights the article "Hippocampal-amygdala memory circuits govern experience-dependent observational fear" by senior author Takashi Kitamura, Ph.D., in Neuron, and Psychiatry Team Confabulous' efforts supporting NAMI.
When you sign up for the OBI mailing list, you will receive a weekly email listing seminars and lectures in the neurosciences at UT Southwestern, as well as the OBI quarterly newsletter, Neurotransmissions.