We are pleased to announce that Helmet Karim, PhD, has been promoted to Assistant Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Karim’s research focuses on the predictive role of the acute neural changes associated with treatment response in major depressive disorder (MDD). He is principal investigator of a National Institute of Mental Health-funded K01 career development award,...

In a recent General Hospital Psychiatry paper, Oommen Mammen, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and James Tew, MD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry), described the importance of communicating about suicide risk with families of individuals with borderline personality disorder who are chronically suicidal. We spoke with Dr. Mammen, the paper’s lead author, about how to help families arrive at a shared...

On March 25, 2021, Pitt Psychiatry clinician-educator faculty and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) trainees and staff gathered virtually for the Department’s 9th Clinician Educator Showcase. The Showcase is an annual opportunity for clinician-educators to learn about promising clinical innovations and the latest quality improvement initiatives. The event includes career development roundtable discussions...

We are delighted to announce that Erika Forbes, PhD (Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Psychology and Clinical and Translational Science), and Fabio Ferrarelli MD, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry), have been selected to receive a Laurel E. Zaks Memorial Research Fund award for a collaborative research project focused on treating depression in young people. The Laurel Zaks Fund, established in March 2019...

Many congratulations to Adriane Soehner, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Mary Woody, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who were recently named Association for Psychological Science (APS) Rising Stars! The APS Rising Star designation is presented to outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their research careers after completing doctoral training. Dr. Soehner examines the mechanisms...

The Department of Psychiatry is thrilled to congratulate Virginia “Ginnie” Lape, who has received a 2020 UPMC ACES award for her outstanding work in the Pitt Psychiatry Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC). The prestigious ACES award, received by fewer than 1% of UPMC staff annually, honors individuals who regularly go above and beyond. As Administrative Coordinator for the OGC, Ginnie is “the glue that holds our...

Save the date! On Wednesday, June 9, 2021, the Department of Psychiatry will host our annual Research Day. Due to ongoing COVID-related restrictions on in-person gatherings (and, admittedly, collective Zoom fatigue), Research Day 2021 will look different. But we promise that it will be engaging and enjoyable! Stay tuned for further information. Details will be posted to the Events page on our website as planning...

The Department of Psychiatry is delighted to announce results of the 2021 Residency Match for the General Psychiatry, Child, Triple Board, and Family Medicine/Psychiatry tracks. “We are so proud to welcome this group of new doctors into our awesome work family, and want to thank everyone who interviewed candidates or helped in any way during this virtual recruitment season,” said Michael Travis, MD (Senior Director...

More than 20 members of the Department of Psychiatry faculty conduct a wide range of research pertaining to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic disorders. Recent Pitt Psychiatry studies in Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychological Medicine present new findings pertaining to clinical high risk for psychosis and first-episode psychosis. Reduced GABA/glutamate in the thalamus of individuals at...

We are delighted to announce that Gina Perez, MD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Perez is Associate Chief, Behavioral Health Network and Telepsychiatry. As associate chief, she oversees the behavioral health services at UPMC’s 40 network hospitals and community affiliates, which comprise approximately 200 acute psychiatric beds. A...