Newborns with prenatal opioid exposure present with symptoms and dysregulated behaviors of the central and autonomic nervous systems that are commonly attributed to neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Pharmacologic agents (e.g., morphine, methadone) are often used to treat newborns with prenatal opioid exposure, despite known adverse effects on neurodevelopment. To reduce the consequences of in utero opioid...

We are delighted to announce that Loren Roth, MD, MPH (Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry) has received a Heinz History Center History Maker Award in the Healthcare category. The Heinz History Maker Awards recognize exceptional individuals with connections to Western Pennsylvania, whose accomplishments transcend geographic bounds. Dr. Roth is well known for having played an instrumental role in...

We are delighted to announce that Danella Hafeman, MD, PhD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Hafeman earned her MD and her PhD in epidemiology from Columbia University. She then came to Pittsburgh for residency training at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH), and following a clinical fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr...

On June 19, 2023, Juneteenth, Department of Psychiatry faculty, staff, and trainees—including a brand-new class of PGY1 psychiatry interns—gathered for a Juneteenth lunch, video presentation, and panel discussion. Following the presentation of a “The historical significance of Juneteenth,” produced by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Isaiah Crum, MD (rising PGY3 psychiatry...

John “JJ” Markiewicz serves as a programmer on the Department of Psychiatry’s Office of Academic Computing (OAC) Software Development Team. The OAC works to advance the technological capacity and opportunities of our research community. We would like to express gratitude for JJ’s invaluable contributions to these efforts. JJ has been with the OAC for nearly five years, and develops web applications for participant...

The 21st annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day, held on June 8, 2023 was the biggest Research Day ever, attended by more than 500 faculty members, trainees, and staff, and featuring 160 posters at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.   Lunchtime roundtables followed the morning poster session. More than 250 participants joined one of 30 roundtable discussion groups...

Graduates of the UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) residency training program gathered with friends, family, loved ones, and supporters at the Pitt University Club on June 1, 2023. Below are the awards and honors presented at the 2023 graduation ceremony. 2023 Psychiatry Student Interest Group Exemplary Service Award for Excellence in Teaching: Faculty: Laima Spokas, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)...

In the first years of life, affective state matching, in which mothers and children imitate and elaborate on each other’s positive emotional expressions—through shared smiling, mutual eye gaze, back-and-forth vocalizations, and joint play—is a hallmark of early mother-child interactions. In addition, positive affective state matching also appears to promote child emotional self-regulation through the process in...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to new faculty member Aliona Tsypes, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry). Dr. Tsypes earned her PhD in clinical psychology from Binghamton University, having completed her clinical internship at the American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Clinical Psychology Internship program. Dr. Tsypes then remained at the University of...

Two recent studies from Pitt Psychiatry have examined neurocognitive and cardiometabolic function in retired night shift workers compared with retired day shift workers. The late Tica Hall, PhD, an internationally recognized expert in sleep and circadian science, served as senior author of both studies, and we recognize this important work in honor of her memory. Cardiometabolic function in retired night shift...