UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu University of Alabama at Birmingham Fri, 11 May 2012 18:38:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s First Episode Schizophrenia Clinic Opens http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/the-university-of-alabama-at-birminghams-first-episode-schizophrenia-clinic-opens/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/the-university-of-alabama-at-birminghams-first-episode-schizophrenia-clinic-opens/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 20:55:35 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=10104 The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s First Episode Schizophrenia Clinic was recently established to provide a comprehensive response to treat teen patients after first diagnosis. Early diagnosis and intervention facilitates prompt treatment, accelerated recovery, preservation of psychosocial skills, and decreased risk of relapse.

 The services offered are interdisciplinary, recovery driven, and individually tailored to support the needs of the patient. Services may include assessment, monitoring symptoms and recovery progress, medication management, and individualized treatment and educational plans focused on promoting family involvement and emotional support, as well as guidance to aid in the recovery process.

 The Clinic Director, Adrienne Lahti, M.D., Professor & Division Director of Behavioral Neurobiology, noted that there are only a few of these clinics in the country and this is the only innovative schizophrenia clinic in Alabama dedicated to treating teens immediately after first diagnosis.

 The facility was designed to provide supportive, warm, and personalized care to ease the burden of disease experienced by patients and their families; it is an innovative pathway to recovery, empowerment, and well-being.

 For additional information, please refer to Bob Shepard’s article, Rare, new schizophrenia clinic treats teens fast after first diagnosis.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/the-university-of-alabama-at-birminghams-first-episode-schizophrenia-clinic-opens/feed/ 0 UAB Department of Psychiatry Sixth Annual Research Symposium http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/uab-department-of-psychiatry-sixth-annual-research-symposium/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/uab-department-of-psychiatry-sixth-annual-research-symposium/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 18:52:04 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9973  The UAB Department of Psychiatry held its Sixth Annual Research Symposium on April 24, 2012. The event included 51 posters presented in the categories of Clinical Division, Faculty/Staff, Psychiatry Resident and Research Trainee followed by three oral presentations.

Two Department of Psychiatry faculty members presented: Dr. Richard C. Shelton, Adiposity, Inflammation and Depression and Dr. Merida Grant, Autonomic and Neural Circuit Phenotypes Distinctions within Depression. In addition, Dr. Lori L. McMahon, Professor, UAB Department of Developmental and Integrative Biology, delivered a presentation on Estrogen, Depression, and Hippocampal Function.

 The symposium concluded with an awards ceremony hosted by Dr. Adrienne Lahti, Professor of Psychiatry and Director for the Division of Behavioral Neurobiology. The recipients of the poster awards are listed below by category. In addition, a few pictures from the symposium follow the awards listing.

Clinical Division Poster Award
1st Place – Outpatient Psychiatry, presented by Rachel Fargason, M.D.
Psychiatry Resident Poster Awards
1st Place (tie) – Li Li, M.D., and Nina Kraguljac, M.D. 
2nd Place – Nina Kraguljac, M.D.
Research Trainee Poster Awards and Honorable Mention
1st Place – Rebecca Simmons
2nd Place – Matthew E. Glover
3rd Place – Jana Drummond
4th Place Honorable Mention – Muriah Wheelock
5th Place Honorable Mention – Jennifer Hadley

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/uab-department-of-psychiatry-sixth-annual-research-symposium/feed/ 0 Continued Accreditation for General Resident, Geriatric, and Child/Adolescent Training Programs http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/continued-accreditation-for-general-resident-geriatric-and-childadolescent-training-programs/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/continued-accreditation-for-general-resident-geriatric-and-childadolescent-training-programs/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 20:37:40 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9980 Laura Montgomery-Barefield, M.D., Director of the General Psychiatry Residency Program, is pleased to announce that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved continued accreditation status for the General Resident, Geriatric, and Child/Adolescent Training Programs. The ACGME Residency Review Committee (RRC) examined the Specialist Site Visitor Representatives’ reports in April and approved continued accreditation status for all three programs. The General Residency and the Geriatric Fellowships received 5 years, and the Child/Adolescent Fellowship received 4 years. The department would like to thank all of the residents and faculty who helped make the site visits successful.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/continued-accreditation-for-general-resident-geriatric-and-childadolescent-training-programs/feed/ 0 April 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/april-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/april-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 17:34:13 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9984 Denese Pounds, Administrative Office Specialist IV, has been selected as the April 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month.

Denese was nominated for customer service and productivity. She has a very heavy charge entry load, yet her charge entry lag time is the lowest in the department. Even during her busiest times she is always available to staff as well as patients who have questions regarding insurance or billing. Denese’s interaction with the patients concerning insurance, co-pays and any other questions they may have is always handled in a caring and compassionate manner. In addition to her caring attitude toward the patients, faculty and staff she always takes pride in decorating the front desk area for seasonal celebrations. This is done using her own supplies and on her own time. This is very much appreciated by both the staff and patients we serve.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/05/april-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/feed/ 0 March 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/march-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/march-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:49:34 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9868 April Fordyce, LCSW, Psychiatric Social Worker, has been selected as the March 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month.

April was nominated for customer service, productivity, exemplary effort and a special project. Most recently, for quality improvement purposes, she updated the Administrative Review forms. She is known for her exceptional attention to detail and her thoroughness is relied upon heavily in the training of new employees, students and residents. Most importantly, she is dedicated to the patients and their wellbeing. April is an unsung hero in the Community Psychiatry Clinic and her efforts do not go unnoticed.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/march-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/feed/ 0 Children’s of Alabama funds Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Library http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/childrens-of-alabama-funds-child-and-adolescent-psychiatry-training-library/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/childrens-of-alabama-funds-child-and-adolescent-psychiatry-training-library/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:34:16 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9857

The UAB Department of Psychiatry would like to thank Children’s of Alabama for their generous gift to establish our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry training library.  These funds will allow us to provide the best materials and most current teaching resources for our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry residents, in turn making their training experience even more valuable.   The library, located adjacent to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency office, will include essential books, subscriptions and teaching tapes for the education of the modern child and adolescent psychiatrist.

     The UAB Residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry was established in response to the recognized shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists in the region.  Accreditation was received from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 1994. The first residency class matriculated in 1995, graduating in 1997.  Since these early years the faculty has grown to 8 child and adolescent psychiatrists and three psychologists with plans for significant growth in the near future.  In addition to their teaching and supervision responsibilities, the faculty and residents provide a full spectrum of outpatient, inpatient, day treatment and consultative services at UAB and Children’s of Alabama. 

     Since 1997 the program has graduated 28 additional child and adolescent psychiatrists, with three more graduating this June, most of who have remained in the Southeast.  A significant number of these graduates have entered public psychiatry and academic positions. In 2011 the ACGME approved expansion of the residency from 6 to 8 total residents based on recognition of the program’s ability to provide the breadth of training experiences required.  While a national and regional shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists continues, the UAB Residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has contributed significantly to improving the availability of child and adolescent psychiatric care to the children and adolescents of Alabama.  Thanks to the generosity of Children’s of Alabama, the new Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Library will provide abundant resources towards the education of the next generation of child and adolescent psychiatrists serving our state’s youth.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/childrens-of-alabama-funds-child-and-adolescent-psychiatry-training-library/feed/ 0 UAB Psychiatry Supports AFSP Walk for 4th Consecutive Year http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/uab-psychiatry-supports-afsp-walk-for-4th-consecutive-year-2/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/uab-psychiatry-supports-afsp-walk-for-4th-consecutive-year-2/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:58:11 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9709 The UAB Department of Psychiatry participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Walk for the 4th year in a row at Heardmont Park on November 6th, 2011. The Alabama Chapter of AFSP hosted several walks throughout the state this year with over $144,000 raised and more than 2,000 people participating. UAB Psychiatry had a great team this year with faculty, staff, residents, and family members participating. We want to thank all of those that participated in the walk and encourage everyone in the Alabama community to join us next year.

These walks raise funds for much needed outreach and education in the community. Proceeds from the 2010 Out of the Darkness Walk provided suicide prevention DVD’s to every public and private high school and college in the state of Alabama at no charge. Alabama is the only state to have this resource system-wide. The major initiative for 2011 was to provide suicide prevention training, at no charge, to all health care professionals that care for our military personnel in Alabama. Recognizing that we have lost more soldiers to suicide than combat in the current conflicts, it is our resolve to assist in helping those who have served our country.

Below are some pictures from the 2011 Walk:

     

    

      

 

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/03/uab-psychiatry-supports-afsp-walk-for-4th-consecutive-year-2/feed/ 0 February 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/february-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/february-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:47:28 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9660 Jackie Weatherly, Program Coordinator, has been selected as the February 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month.  Jackie was nominated for outstanding achievement, productivity, and a special project. Upon receiving notification from the ACGME, Jackie oversaw and implemented the preparation for the 1/24/12 Child/Adolescent Psychiatry site visit. This included completion and submission of the ACGME Program Information Form integrating new requirements related to duty hours, hand-over’s, supervision and work environment for GME review, revision, preparation of comprehensive documents requested by the ACGME site visitor, updating and proofing training files, and preparation of the site visit schedule. All this involved careful liaison with the Program Director, GME office, ACGME, faculty and residents leading to successful site visit. Jackie did this while maintaining all of her ongoing responsibilities in the administration of the Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Division and Residency Program, including the recruitment season that led to a successful match of four residents. Jackie’s work was and is completed with diligence and modesty, working quietly and independently to ensure that her work is completed with a standard of excellence.  Jackie is a consistently hard working and modest employee whose knowledge of the Child/Adolescent Division has been essential to day to day operations. Jackie’s constant support to the faculty and residents is valued greatly.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/february-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/feed/ 0 Shelton Appointed Vice Chair for Research and to the Charles Byron Ireland Chair of Psychiatric Research http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/shelton-named-vice-chair-for-research-in-psychiatry/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/shelton-named-vice-chair-for-research-in-psychiatry/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:12:17 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9561 The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees appointed Richard Shelton, M.D., to the Charles Byron Ireland Chair of Psychiatric Research during its meeting February 3, 2012. Dr. Shelton joined the Department of Psychiatry as a Professor and Vice Chair for Research on February 1, 2012. He comes to UAB from Vanderbilt University where he served as Vice Chair for Research and Chief of the Mood Disorders Program. Dr. Shelton is internationally respected for his many contributions to advance the understanding of depression and is at the forefront of developing novel and innovative treatment approaches for mood disorders, especially depression.

]]> http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/shelton-named-vice-chair-for-research-in-psychiatry/feed/ 0 January 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/january-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/ http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/2012/02/january-2012-uab-department-of-psychiatry-employee-of-the-month/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:26:29 +0000 abbottw http://www.psychiatry.uab.edu/?p=9544 Joy Roche, a Research Associate in Dr. Rosalinda Robert’s lab, has been selected as the January 2012 UAB Department of Psychiatry Employee of the Month.  She was nominated for outstanding achievement, productivity, exemplary effort, safety and a special project. Besides being an excellent EM Technician and juggling several projects with high productivity, Joy has been very helpful in other areas of the department.  As a member of the Alabama Brain Collection Team, she has been on call since her arrival at UAB and is always cheerful and available to come in at all hours. Joy accepts extra work willingly and cheerfully and is super organized. Most recently she took on the task of tagging and organizing all the chemicals on the Sparks Center 10th floor, which assisted greatly in vacating this floor.

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