October 18, 2023
October is when the leaves color and fall and we know to prepare for winter. In academia, it is the time to get serious about scholarly affairs, productivity, launching new projects, and generating high-quality outcomes. As you will see from this month’s Connections, the Department of Psychiatry faculty are doing a great deal to follow through on our academic mission. As an example, it was just announced that Sarah Baker, M.D., will be appointed as an Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the office of Charles M. Ginsburg, M.D. We are all very proud--proud of all department members who strive, become generative, and rise to their best performance.
--Carol A. Tamminga, M.D.
Department Chair
In This Issue
Spotlight on Sarah Baker -- Did You Know about Policies? -- Welcome New Faculty and Staff -- Awards and Accomplishments, including PACT -- TARCC Request for Applications -- Upcoming Events --
High School Student Internship Accepting Applications -- CDRC News -- OBI News
Spotlight on... Sarah Baker, M.D.
In her role as an Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Sarah Baker, M.D., in collaboration with the Dean of Students and other Student Affairs Deans, will provide support to students from pre-enrollment through graduation, ensuring that they have a safe, enriching educational environment that maximizes learning and professional development. She will also contribute to student recruitment, student academic advising, career advising, student support, and student advocacy for the medical school.

What motivated you to get into medicine?

"My dad is a psychiatrist, and I always admired his work growing up and wanted to follow in his footsteps. When I started medical school, I became interested in medical education and the
ways in which medical trainees' professional identities develop throughout their medical education. UTSW was a perfect fit for residency, with its clinician-educator concentration. While at UTSW, I became interested in forensic psychiatry due to the rotations that we did at the Dallas County Jail and Terrell State Hospital. I found the intersection of law and psychiatry fascinating. I am lucky to have a career that allows me to pursue all my interests (education, forensics, and community psychiatry), and UTSW has introduced me to great mentors who have helped cultivate these interests."

What do you love about your job?

"I love working with trainees! I feel very fortunate to get to work with trainees from medical school through fellowship. They inspire me to be a better person and physician, and I learn from them every day. I also feel very privileged to be able to think innovatively about medical education and consider ways to make it better. I'm particularly interested in helping foster our graduates to, of course, provide excellent care to patients but also to improve the systems in which we provide care."
Did You Know?
The Policy Office intranet site is a great resource that includes many "tip sheets" such as How to Search the Policy Library by Catalog or Keyword. The Policy Office has also compiled tools and resources to help propose, revise, write, and manage policies within the Handbook of Institutional Policies and Operating Procedures. Email [email protected] for more information.
Welcome New Faculty and Staff!
Faculty
  • Mohanika Gowda, M.D., Assistant Professor, Parkland Psychiatric Emergency Service
  • Emily May, M.D., Assistant Professor, Parkland Health Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, Medicine/Psychiatry Clinic at the Parkland Center for Internal Medicine, Parkland Behavioral Health Clinic
  • Eneida Miranda, D.O., Assistant Professor, Parkland Psychiatric Emergency Service
  • Natalie Spiller, M.D., Assistant Professor, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Richardson/Plano

Staff
  • Hayley Aramburu, Clinical Research Assistant Lead, Mood Disorders
  • Lorrie Burkhalter, Population Science Research Program Manager, Mood Disorders
  • LaTonya Wright, M.S., CHW, Program Coordinator, Mood Disorders
  • Dionna Duong, Training Coordinator, Mood Disorders
  • Skylar Robinson, Administrative Associate, Chair Administration
  • Ava Ryan, Clinical Research Coordinator I, McAdams Lab
Faculty Openings
We have many opportunities!
Awards and Accomplishments
Beatriz (Tish) MacDonald Wer, Ph.D., has been selected to receive the Mentorship in Cultural Neuropsychology Award from the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society. This award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the development of students, trainees, and junior colleagues in the field of neuropsychology.
Ellie Hakim, Ph.D., has received board certification in Counseling Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology. The ABPP reflects the diplomate-level of advanced practice proficiency in psychology.
Bree Horrocks, a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology, has been awarded the Jerry M. Lewis, M.D., Mental Health Research Foundation Grant, which supports dissertation work.
Christian S. Monsalve, M.D., (pictured right), presented Emerging Differences Among Recommendations for the Treatment of Youth with Gender Dysphoria at the 23rd World Psychiatric Association World Congress of Psychiatry in Vienna, Austria.
Samir Abu-Hamad, M.D., a 4th-year resident in the Internal Medicine-Psychiatry Combined Residency Program, has been selected as a 2024 Laughlin Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists.
Melanie Sherman-Chung, LCSW-S, a social work counselor in the multispecialty outpatient clinic, has successfully defended her dissertation and received her doctorate from the University of Alabama on the topic Transracial Adoption, Colonialism, and Collective Narcissism in the Counseling Room.
Molly Camp, M.D., and Alex Rollo, M.D., a 2023 resident graduate, participated with colleagues in a special issue of the AMA Journal of Ethics focused on Geriatric Psychiatry by presenting a case and commentary titled "Should Antipsychotics' Risks be Accepted by Clinicians on Behalf of Patients to Achieve Benefits of Mitigating Older Adults' Behavioral Symptoms in Short-Staffed Units?"
Association of Medicine and Psychiatry Annual Meeting
Nathalie Abenoza, M.D., and Areej Ali, M.D., M.P.H., 3rd-year residents in the Internal Medicine-Psychiatry Combined Residency Program, presented a poster titled “Prazosin to the Rescue,” depicting a VA patient case study, in Milwaukee, WI for the annual meeting of the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry.
Kayla Murphy, M.D., a 2nd-year resident in the Internal Medicine-Psychiatry Combined Residency Program, presented a poster titled "Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Systemic Review."
The PACT (Problem Solving, Ability, Attitude, and Accountability, Communications and Compassion, and Teamwork) Program recognizes employees who exhibit exceptional behaviors that achieve the goal of excellence in patient care and customer service. This quarter, 53 employees received a PACT card, 22 received Blue Pins (listed below), and 4 received Silver Pins (listed below). Congratulations to the recipients!

Pictured left: Colton Clark, Clinical Staff Assistant III, recipient of Blue Pin. Pictured below: Lidia Ortiz, Administrative Associate, and Robbin Peck, Program Coordinator, 3rd Quarter PACT Card Recipients. View full list.
Silver Pin Awardees
  • Julia Bunton
  • Ana Hernandez
  • Kathya Martinez
  • Leslie Martinez
Blue Pin Awardees
  • Tonia Bell
  • Lucia Cantu
  • Neha Chaudhary
  • Colton Clark
  • Georgia Cole
  • Taylor Conerly
  • Benven D'Souza
  • John Dykema
  • Angela Ethridge
  • Sarah Gibson
  • Rose Gipson
  • Elida Godbey
  • Adrianna Harris
  • Ana Hernandez
  • Stephanie Higuera
  • Diana Jovel
  • Leslie Martinez
  • Carrie McAdams
  • Abigail Nunez-Chavez
  • Cathy Schneider
  • Tiffany Thornton
  • Khameka Webb
TARCC Grants Program Request for Applications
The Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) is pleased to announce its new Request for Applications (RFA) as part of a research program to support an innovative, translational-based research structure across the state of Texas and to ensure that a diverse pool of well-trained basic and translational researchers and clinician-scientists are available in Texas to aid in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

For more information regarding proposal submissions, view the flyer.
Applications are due on January 10, 2024.
Upcoming Events
Writing Accountability Group
Available to anyone who would like to increase writing time and productivity (e.g., clinical or research faculty, trainees, staff) on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00pm, October 10 to December 12, 2023. One-hour meetings via Zoom begin with setting a writing goal, followed by silent writing for 45 minutes, and concluding with a brief statement on progress toward the goal. Register to participate.
Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Select Wednesdays at Noon

  • October 25, Morbidity and Mortality Case Presentation
  • November 8, Faculty Development

Watch for Emails with Calendar Invites, CME Codes, and Zoom Links
Annual Fall Faculty Reception:
Thrive Through Personal Purpose
Sponsored by the Women in Science and Medicine Advisory Committee & Associate Dean of Women's Careers
October 25, 2023 
4:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Mingling/Refreshments
4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Event

UTSW A.W. Harris Faculty Club
E4.400-South Campus

Featured Guest Speaker Gabriela Martinez, Ph.D., Anxiety/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Program, Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, will overview the conceptual framework and practical skills on identifying personal values and connect them with the ever growing and multifaceted work of Academia.

The faculty panel discussion of experiences in finding this balance that will follow the presentation includes Lia Thomas, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, among other institutional faculty members. All are welcome! RSVP
2023 New Faculty Research Forum
Monday, October 30, 2023; 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Excellence in Education Auditorium
Harold C. Simmons Biomedical Research Building

Join recently appointed Assistant Professors as they are introduced to the UTSW research community. This event aims to foster interdisciplinary collaborations but also cultivates an environment where innovation flourishes. With 18 speakers representing 11 departments, you are invited to expand your network and become part of our thriving research ecosystem. Register for the forum.
Psychiatry Department Town Hall
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Wednesday, November 1, 2023;12:00 p.m. via Zoom

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, and if you have topics and questions, complete the Form with your input.
One Health Collaborative Symposium & Poster Session
Friday, November 3, 2023; 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (online and in-person)
UT Southwestern Medical Center, South Campus, Room D1.602

Leveraging Translational Research with One Health:
Connecting Humans, Animals, and the Environment

This hybrid symposium coordinated by Stacy Pritt, D.V.M., M.B.A., will highlight important research conducted at both schools as well as research funded by the NIH Clinical and Transitional Science Award (CTSA). Register to participate.
Shatterproof Walk
The Shatterproof Walk will take place on Saturday, November 11, at Reverchon Park. This event is more than just about a walk; it is about community, hope, empowerment, and raising the funds to end the addiction crisis in America. The UTSW Medical Center will be participating as a Walk Team and Community Resource Partner. Together, UTSW and Shatterproof are changing the conversation about addiction and changing how it is treated. They are advocating for policy change, educating our communities, transforming addiction treatment, and shattering stigma. You can join the team in person, walk where you are, or support UTSW's walk efforts by visiting the walk page.
Ethics Grand Rounds
Tuesday, November 14, 2023; 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (online and in-person)
Simmons Biomedical Research Building NB2.100A

Ethical Conundrums of U.S. Funding Agency Security Efforts

Stacy Pritt, D.V.M., M.B.A.
UT Southwestern Associate Vice President of Research Support and Regulatory Management

While there is no fee to attend, participants must register. Register to attend virtually. Upon registration, participants will receive the Zoom event ID and link to join the webinar. For additional information, please see the announcement.
Addressing Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Considerations in Research
Friday, December 15, 2023

Save the date for the Annual Research Conference: Addressing Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Considerations in Research. All physicians, nurses, and allied health care professionals who are interested in conducting or currently coordinate research at Children’s Health℠, UTSW, Scottish Rite for Children, or Parkland are welcome. More information and registration details to come later this Fall.
Inspiring Careers in Mental Health
Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship for High School Students applications for 2024 are now open until February. The internship is open to all rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Email Inspiring Career Internship for more information.
In September, the CDRC attended the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network scientific symposium where presentations from across the network highlighted accomplishments, encouraged innovation, and fostered collaboration.
Lynnel Goodman, Ph.D., and Tarrah Mitchell, Ph.D., from Texas Health Science Center, held the first training for Activ8 interventionists. As part of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC), Activ8 is a statewide brief behavioral activation telehealth program for teens. This CDRC-led initiative will increase access to empirically based intervention for teens with depression.
We proudly joined the Hope-4-Kids Foundation at their Back-to-School Community Kickback event to support children and families in Fort Worth. Ashley Lowery, Clinical Research Coordinator I, had the opportunity to share information about our research and prevention programs.
Members of the CDRC and their families participated in the Mending Minds 5k event at Smith Park in Dallas. The event benefited Parenting for the Present Foundation, a parenting education initiative designed to connect the minds, bodies, and spirits of families. Lezlie Britton, Ozlem Hokelekli, M.D., Ph.D., and Yianyi (Emma) Wang, all earned medals during the race.
Funding Opportunities
Applications for OBI's Sprouts grants are now open. These grants fund the collection of pilot data to explore new research directions that are not easily covered by other sources. The awards are primarily aimed at supporting new ideas from trainees working with OBI Investigators.  

The program is intended to encourage creative, high-quality research that also advances the training of early career laboratory or clinical scientists. Find more information. Deadline for applications is December 1, 2023.
The King Foundation Endowed Fund at UT Southwestern Medical Center has an internal grant opportunity for laboratory or clinical research in Alzheimer’s Disease. The $50,000, 1-year grants support a broad range of research aimed at advancing our understanding of AD.

Click here to submit an application. Deadline for applications is December 4, 2023
You are receiving this newsletter as a member or affiliate of the psychiatry department. The newsletter is typically sent the third Wednesday of the month.
If you would like to submit an item, the deadline is the second Wednesday of the month. Please email [email protected].