Richard Morycz, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Social Work, has been awarded fellow status by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). The Society will formally present Dr. Morycz with this honor at a special awards ceremony on November 14, 2018 at its annual meeting in Boston, MA. Fellow status represents the highest class of membership in the organization and acknowledges Dr. Morycz’ s...

Congratulations to Christopher Dobbelstein, MD on his receipt of an Excellence in Patient Experience Award from UPMC. Dr. Dobbelstein is one of only 50 providers selected from more than 7,000 physicians and advanced practice providers within the medical center to receive this honor. The awards are based on patient ratings and are presented to top UPMC providers in recognition of their dedication to the population...

Current residents participating in the Psychiatry Research Pathway (PRP) program gathered with program alumni and faculty for a half-day symposium highlighting a broad array of clinical and scientific research by our talented young investigators. The event featured brief presentations by eight current PRP residents followed by a group discussion of each project. A social hour immediately following the symposium...

Mary Phillips, MD, MD (CANTAB), left, pictured with the publication's lead author, Heather Acuff. Bipolar disorder (BD), formerly known as manic depression, is a serious mental illness characterized by extreme changes in mood and energy levels that cycle between mania and depression. BD is highly heritable, so children of individuals with BD have an increased risk of also developing the disorder, which often first...

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and has increased by at least 20% in the past decade, but depressed and suicidal youth, who are at high risk for suicide, are often not identified, and when identified, often do not go for treatment. Pediatric primary care is an ideal place to identify youth at risk for suicide. At-risk youth are much more likely to present in primary care than in...

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...