News
Psychology Training Program Wins CCaPPTC Award
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
The URMC Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship program recently received the Program Excellence in Training Award from the Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychology Training Council (CCaPPTC). Dr. Jennifer West is the Director of Training and Dr. Kristen Holderle is the Associate Director.
The Council was especially impressed by URMC’s prioritization of unique and trainee-centered programming, including activities such as: the Deaf Wellness and Lazos Fuertes tracks; the Welcome to Rochester Orientation, designed to enhance trainees’ understanding of historical contexts of the community and medical center as they relate to racial/social injustice, how past/current policies impact people from intentionally marginalized groups today, and the diverse ways that individuals from intentionally marginalized groups contribute to our local community; and the Amplification and Allyship seminar series which aims to increase trainees’ appreciation and awareness of how structural racism and systematic oppression impact members of intentionally marginalized groups, amplify the voices/perspectives of members of intentionally marginalized groups, and help trainees identify ways to engage as allies within and outside of the training program, with colleagues, patients, and members of the local, national and global community.
Representing URMC Psychiatry Nationally and Internationally
Friday, March 7, 2025
Several of the Psychiatry staff and faculty members recently presented at national and international conferences.
Caroline Easton, PhD, Lee Ashrafioun, PhD, Alex Barrette, Holly Russell, MD, and Melissa Heatly, PhD will be presenting at the Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders (RCORP) Reverse Site Visit in Washington D.C. in early March. This event featured networking with other Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grantees as well as discussions regarding best practices in opioid use and substance use disorder interventions.
Andrea Garroway, PhD recently presented at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Annual Educational Conference in Tennessee. This session discussed communication coaching in internal medicine.
William Watson, PhD, alongside Danish colleague Emil Rask, PhD, presented a two-hour webinar, "Using ISTDP with Children and Adolescents: Two Clinical Case Examples," to 175 members of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association on February (IEDTA). An earlier version of this seminar was presented at the IEDTA’s biennial conference in San Diego last year.
The 2025 Research in DEI and Health Equity Symposium featured a poster coauthored by our IMIP team- Elaine Rigney, MD, Lorraine Schild, NP, Nicole Fulle, MS, RN, Kevin Brazill, DO, Brock Scoville, and Marsha Wittink, MD- and presented by undergraduate Harrison Eck.
Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD and Jennifer West, PhD, alongside Eric Perkins of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, presented at the Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan’s NYS E-MDT Initiative Webinar Series, a two-part series on firearm safety and dementia. They discussed aws related to firearms, safe storage of firearms and legacy planning of these firearms..
Last but not least, the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) will be holding its 2025 Annual Meeting in Arizona in March with EJ Santos, MD as Acting AAGP President.
Janeen Thompson Named CCW Assistant Director, Business Administration
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Janeen’s primary office will be located at Sully’s Trail, with regular time spent at Strong Memorial Hospital.
With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, Janeen brings a wealth of expertise to this position. Her background includes serving as a Board-Certified Music Therapist specializing in Alzheimer’s Disease in long-term care settings, leading integrated care teams in hospice and PACE programs, and most recently serving as a Practice Manager for the Geriatric Division. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Janeen is an active volunteer with Scouting USA, where she has served as a Scoutmaster for an all-boy troop and enjoys mentoring volunteers on leadership and team-building. She is also dedicated to her family, who graciously supports her enthusiasm for "Forced Family Fun."
We are excited to have Janeen in this new role and look forward to her continued contributions to the CCW Division. Please join me in congratulating Janeen on this well-deserved opportunity.
Additional Patient Access to Mental Healthcare Through URMC Virtual Network
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
The Virtual Urgent Care service has extended its care to patients who need mental health services. Virtual Mental Health Urgent Care offers a convenient alternative for patients in need of prompt mental health support in situations that would otherwise wait until an appointment becomes available with their mental health provider.
The URMC Department of Psychiatry’s Chief Administrative Officer, Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC, emphasizes the importance of leveraging UR Medicine’s resources and clinical expertise to address the mental health needs of the community. “Adding this virtual component to our crisis services for children and adults is a significant step towards those efforts. Kudos to our team of providers, clinical leaders, and administrators for working diligently with the project team for a successful implementation.”
The service is available to patients aged 5 and older residing in New York State and is ideal for those who are experiencing non-emergent - but imminent - symptoms of mental health concerns, such as anxiety attacks or depressive episodes, and are unable to be seen by their mental health provider within a reasonable timeframe of the symptomatic event. A symptom guide of physical and mental conditions is available to direct patients to the appropriate service.
The Digital Health Team introduces this service as an extension of the Virtual Urgent Care services that launched in late 2023 and reached 25,000 completed visits in October of last year. The dedicated team of mental health care providers is available Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., with plans to expand staffing and hours of operation as patient volume increases. Services are billed through the patient’s insurance. Depending on the patient’s plan, a co-payment or deductible may apply.
Hochang Benjamin Lee awarded Visiting Professor Award from the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Hochang Benjamin (Ben) Lee, the John Romano Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, received the 2024 Visiting Professor Award from the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Lee is a fellow of the ACLP, a professional organization that provides leadership in education, research, and advocacy to advance integrated psychiatric care for the medically ill.
Read Hochang Benjamin Lee awarded Visiting Professor Award
Register Now for the13th Annual Joseph Ryan Conference
Monday, March 3, 2025
The 13th Annual Joseph Ryan Conference Strong Recovery Presents:
New Frontiers in Addiction Psychiatry and Trauma: Brain, Behavior, and Innovative Digital Tools
Friday May 2, 2024, 8:30am to 4:00pm, Hilton Garden Inn, 30 Celebration Dr, Rochester, NY 14620
Contact Stacy Ciotti or Kalie Ernewein to register.
Read more about the 13th Annual Joseph Ryan Conference
BHP Blog: Mastering work-life balance in health care
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed or burned out? Discover in the March blog from Behavioral Health Partners how the “life calendar” can help you reclaim your time, manage priorities, and balance your personal and professional life to improve your well-being.
Read BHP Blog: Mastering work-life balance in health care
What Can the Brain Tell Us About Chronic Pain?
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Paul Geha, MD an associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester, leads groundbreaking chronic pain research focused on understanding the brain mechanisms of pain. Recently, his team has made significant strides in studying chronic back pain and the transition from acute to chronic pain.
Struggling to Manage Uncertainty?
Monday, February 24, 2025
Struggling to Manage Uncertainty? Try These 6 Tips from the Office of Wellbeing
There’s a lot of uncertainty around us – and that can often be anxiety-provoking. While it can feel very uncomfortable, it doesn’t have to keep us from taking care of ourselves and one another, said Craig Rooney, PhD, URMC’s chief wellbeing officer.
Read Struggling to Manage Uncertainty? Try These 6 Tips from the Office of Wellbeing
Podcast: When Your Work Finds You: Dr. Arielle Sheftall on Child Suicide Prevention and Career Purpose
Monday, February 17, 2025
When Your Work Finds You: Dr. Arielle Sheftall on Child Suicide Prevention and Career Purpose
Dr. Tony Pisani interviews Dr. Arielle Sheftall, a leading researcher in youth suicide prevention, about the crucial issue of suicide among children and pre-teens.
A Safeside prevention podcast - Never the Same
WXXI Podcast: Is it okay for kids to become friends with AI?
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Pediatric psychologist Tony Pisani, PhD, and Michael Scharf, MD, professor in child and adolescent psychiatry, discussed the potential dangers of childhood friendships with AI chatbots on WXXI’s Connections (Feb. 13). “Too much of anything is not a good thing,” Scharf said. “We don't even know how much of the things you're missing out on are critical for development. If you [interact with AI chatbots] all day, it means you didn't have lunch with someone, you didn't play on a sports team, you didn't do physical activity.” Pisani suggests that parent involvement is key. “Instead of trying to be cops about this, maybe be co-explorers,” he said.
Read WXXI Podcast: Is it okay for kids to become friends with AI?
Psychiatry Faculty Achievements
Saturday, February 1, 2025
We would like to highlight a few of the achievements and accomplishments of our faculty this month.
We are excited to share that Margaret Puelle, MD has been named to a secondary appointment with the University of Rochester Medical Center Department of Dermatology. Congratulations, Dr. Puelle!
Kevin Brazill, DO presented “Managing Psychosis in the Primary Care Setting: A Collaborative Approach among Physicians, Therapists and Pharmacists” at the New York State Academy of Family Physicians Winter Weekend Conference at Lake Placid in January.
Ann Marie White, EdD has been reelected to a Co-Chair role in the University of Rochester Faculty Senate's Research Policy Committee. In this role, she will lead an advisory board providing feedback to UR administration on policies related to research at the university. Dr. White will also be leading a workshop at the 82nd Annual Conference of the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research in March. She will be discussing Empowering Partnerships: Designing Internships and Student Seminars in Community Engaged Public Health.
Donations Bring Holiday Wishes to Youth
Thursday, January 30, 2025
A huge thank you to several generous donors for supporting our Child and Adolescent Inpatient holiday drive! The following organizations and community members donated supplies and aid over the holidays that will support youth staying in our Child and Adolescent Inpatient 4-9000 unit.
- Wegmans
- First American
- SUNY Brockport CSI NU Chapter (Department of Counselor Education)
- URMC Surgical Pathology
- Steven James Coffee Company
- Community members Mariella & Alex Diaz, Morgan Jackson and Family
In addition, thank you to Marie Herman for a generous financial donation and a collection of toy ducks for patients!
Interested in donating items?
Child and Adolescent Inpatient program donation list
Contact Dr. Deanna Sams to donate
Self-Compassion and Your Mental Health
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Discover how embracing self-compassion can strengthen your mental health. The February blog from Behavioral Health Partners provides practical tips on how to be gentler with yourself.
Read Behavioral Health Partners Blog: Self-Compassion and Your Mental Health
Could xenon gas have the potential to treat Alzheimer's?
Friday, January 17, 2025
Anton Porsteinsson, MD, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research and Education Program (AD-CARE), spoke to Medical News Today (Jan. 17) about recent studies on xenon gas, which has long been used in general anesthesia and may have cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects. “We know a lot about xenon gas and its impact on humans from anesthesia in terms of safety and tolerability,” Porsteinsson said. “It is quite expensive and there would be a challenge understanding how to deliver it to a large patient group and avoid anesthetic events.”
Read Medical News Today: Mountain climbing and treating Alzheimer's: Could xenon gas have potential?
Podcast: AI Scientists and the Humans Who Love Them with Dr. Ian Cero
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
AI Scientists and the Humans Who Love Them
Ian Cero, PhD and Tony Pisani , PhD explore whether AI can fundamentally transform the way we conduct scientific research, especially in the context of suicide prevention.
How to Overcome Gym Anxiety
Friday, January 10, 2025
Clinical and Sports Psychologist Craig W. Cypher, Psy.D., CMPC® from the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Fitness Science program offers a clear set of strategies for overcoming gym anxiety and achieving your 2025 fitness goals.
Read UR Newsroom Article: How to Overcome Gym Anxiety
2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Friday, January 10, 2025
We are excited to announce our 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration! Beginning January 21st, join us for celebrations to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bring your lunch and grab a seat for music performances by the group!
Events: January 21: Storytelling Concert by the Black Storytelling League of Rochester, January 22: Martin Luther King Jr. DICE Rounds- “The Hard Work of Planning for Peace” with Rev. Wayne Lewis and January 23: MLK Choir led by Jasen Monroe
Visit the DICE webpage to watch more videos from the celebration.
Fundraising Efforts Support Psychiatry Patients and Families
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2nd Annual Department of Psychiatry Food Drive! Below is only a small portion of all the donations received which will be distributed to food cupboards to support those getting services at our outpatient clinics and those recently discharged from inpatient programs.
In addition, thank you to everyone who contributed to our Pie Sale this Fall! Your generosity means everything to us and to the community we serve. Your support raised $807 which will go towards improving the physical space in our adult inpatient units.
Celebrating our Med/Psych Teams
Friday, January 3, 2025
January 2nd through January 8th marks our first annual Med/Psych Week, a celebration of our various Med/Psych programs. Our Med/Psych programs, which include SUMMITS, IMIPS, and MIPS, provide specialized medical care for those who have co-occurring mental health challenges.
You may notice some of the Med/Psych teams wearing green in celebration on January 7th. We invite you to take some time to thank a team member that week for all they do!