The Psychiatry Department’s Faculty and Staff Retreats were held earlier this month on the same day, October 7, 2022. Faculty were at the Dallas Arboretum, and Staff were at the Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum. Getting together offered the benefit of catching up with a common core of departmental information, about its established projects and its new directions. We understood new aspects of our work, new approaches to our problems in academic psychiatry, and new directions that would attract our participation. One reason this felt like a new beginning to many is because we just took a 3-year COVID-break in our retreats, and this was one of the early opportunities to actually join together in a learning task in the same space. If there was ever a way to contrast virtual with in-person contact, we learned it. It was a poignant experience for all of us. We had the reinvigorating experience of gathering in the same room again, next to each other, talking face-to-face and learning in a forgotten way. For me, it was not only what I learned but also how I learned it, that was a joy. 

Congratulations to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows Patrick Butler, M.D., and Paresh Jaini, M.D., and to Psychiatry Resident Ozlem Hokelekli, M.D., who were chosen for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Educational Outreach Program (EOP). EOP recipients assist AACAP staff in running the annual meeting, assist speakers as needed, and distribute and collect evaluation forms. They receive complimentary registration, participate in the mentorship program for medical students and residents, and attend the Young Leaders Awards Breakfast, among other meeting activities.

Christian LoBue, Ph.D. (left), received the NAN Early Career Award. Criteria for this award include number and quality of publications, grant support, and evidence of programmatic research. Cheryl H. Silver, Ph.D. (center), who retired from the medical center in 2017 but remains as an adjunct faculty member, received NAN's Distinguished Service Award for her longstanding career of exemplary and distinguished service to NAN and neuropsychology in general. Munro Cullum, Ph.D. (right), received the Ralph M. Reitan Award for Clinical Excellence. This award recognizes a member of the field who demonstrates leadership and has had an effect on changes in practice.

The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is the UT Southwestern graduate student governing body, promoting educational and professional achievement by providing competitive travel scholarships, among other activities.

The CDRC has partnered with Girl's Empowered by Mavericks (GEM) to foster education, outreach, and engagement for high school students in the community. Presentations featuring Cherise Chin Fatt, Ph.D., Jane Foster, Ph.D., Harmony Hilton, and Adrienne Mays were given at Dunbar High School and Cedar Hill High School.

Check your electronic calendar for the online meeting with the Zoom link. Email Robbin Peck if you do not see the event on your calendar or if you have topics and questions for the town hall or complete the Form with your input.

Second-year psychiatry resident Donald Egan, M.D., M.P.H., will participate in this panel discussion hosted by SMU, 3:30-4:30pm, Wednesday, October 26, speaking about experiences in undergrad, medical school, and now residency.

To raise awareness for Suicide Prevention Month in September, the CDRC team tie-dyed t-shirts, and team members will wear their shirts at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, October 29, at Choctaw Stadium (Globe Life Park). This walk honors those affected by suicide and raises awareness.

Brave Space will be held online the 2nd week of each month, 12pm, on alternating days of the week:

Email Aida Ramirez-Boyce and Deborah Arevalo to participate.

Psychiatry faculty are eligible to apply for the following internal grant programs supporting innovative brain research. Deadline = December 1, 2022.