The Department of Psychiatry mourns with the members of our community who are suffering from the heinous attack on Saturday. We are, and will always be, here to help in any way we can. “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” Talmud

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has recognized the talent and accomplishments of four of our residents and clinical fellows with special honors. Amanda Downey, MD, a PGY4 in the Triple Board residency program, was appointed as the new John E. Schowalter, MD Resident Member of Council. As such, she will serve as the national resident representative responsible for voicing resident...

Nadine Melhem, PhD is an internationally recognized expert on how genetic predisposition and childhood stressors may impact biological processes in the brain to cause early onset depression and suicidal behavior. Her earlier work included adapting an instrument for measuring complicated grief in children that has been used clinically worldwide and collaborating with her colleague, David Brent, MD, included an...

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of inherited and severe multiorgan disorders that stem from mutations affecting the proper functioning of mitochondria, the “power plants” of cells that generate the majority of the energy needed for metabolic processes. Due to its high energy requirements, the brain is especially vulnerable to energy shortages, and therefore neurological symptoms are common in mitochondrial...

Pierre Azzam, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, began his career in Pittsburgh as a psychiatry resident at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital in the Academic Administrator-Clinician Educator (AACE) Track, and subsequently completed a clinical fellowship in Consultation Liaison (CL) Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Since his recruitment to the Department of Psychiatry faculty, Dr. Azzam has...

The Department of Psychiatry and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) welcomed over 150 clinician educators, trainees and staff to WPSY on October 11, 2018 for the Seventh Annual Clinician Educator Showcase. The Showcase kicked off with a luncheon and interactive poster session that provided plenty of networking opportunities. Two members of our faculty were recognized for their outstanding service and many...

Congratulations to Roger Haskett, MD on his recent receipt of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Academic Psychiatry from the Pittsburgh Psychiatric Society, The Society presented the award to Dr. Haskett in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of academic psychiatry and to the organization. Dr. Haskett began his career at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as a Professor of...

With a shared passion for fighting mental health stigma, two Department of Psychiatry neuroscientists decided that they wanted to do something beyond their research that could have a more immediate impact on those suffering from mental illness. Drs. Lizzie Manning and Micah Shelton, researchers from the Translational Neuroscience Program, organized an exhibit of artwork created by Pittsburgh brain researchers and...

A new study by Rebecca Thurston, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical and Translational Science, Epidemiology and Psychology suggests that experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault could have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of midlife women. Study results, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, also will be presented by Dr. Thurston at the North American Menopause Society meeting on...

Medical students have higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and burnout than the general population and greater concerns about the stigma of mental illness. The nature of medical education seems to contribute to this disparity, since students entering medical school score better on indicators of mental health than similarly aged college graduates. In a recent New England Journal of Medicine article by...