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Members of the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology were honored Tuesday, June 11, at the 2024 Education Awards. The annual event, which was held at The Fennec, served to recognize exemplary residents, faculty, and fellows in the department for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recently honored residents who will complete their residencies in June 2024 during a ceremony on May 16.

As the fourth-year residents prepare to begin practicing and others plan to move on to further training programs, they reflect on their time in the UAB Department of Psychiatry residency program.

The UAB Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Interest Group (CAPIG), which was established in 2023, was recently awarded the 2024 O’Leary Award for Innovation in Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF). CAPIG is a student organization that seeks to shape the future of psychiatry training by focusing on education, professional development, and advocacy for its members.

Guest speaker and UAB alumnus Nathaniel G. Harnett, Ph.D., with Lillian J. Brady, Ph.D., M. Alec Owens, Ph.D., and Kirsten Schoonover, Ph.D.The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology hosted its 2024 Annual Research Symposium on April 23. Nathaniel G. Harnett, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital and alumnus of the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, was welcomed as the event’s guest speaker.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as a condition where individuals with depression do not adequately respond to conventional antidepressant treatments, and their symptoms persist or recur despite multiple therapeutic interventions, including medication changes, psychotherapy, and other modalities.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is unwavering in its commitment to understanding and conquering this complex condition. Here, we offer a glimpse into the department's efforts to combat TRD, shedding light on its comprehensive approach to assessment and treatment, remarkable success stories, and the latest developments in the field, with a particular focus on the revolutionary use of esketamine.

Do you often feel like you're drowning in a sea of deadlines and demands at work? You're not alone. Stress in the workplace is a common phenomenon, affecting millions worldwide.

However, there are practical strategies you can implement into your daily routine to reclaim your peace of mind.

The annual UAB Service Awards and UAB Medicine Service Awards honor employees who have made significant career commitments to UAB by recognizing them at each five-year milestone. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is proud to honor the following employees for service milestones as of the conclusion of the 2023 calendar year.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology looks forward to welcoming Nathaniel G. Harnett, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, as its guest speaker at its 2024 Annual Research Symposium on April 23.

March marks the celebration of National Social Work Month, a time to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of social workers. Within the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) form an integral part of the multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing care for patients.

Their roles extend beyond traditional therapy sessions, encompassing advocacy, support, and empowerment for those facing mental health challenges.

The ongoing mental health crisis has taken a toll on healthcare systems across the U.S., leading to emergency department backlogs and a lack of timely care for individuals in need. In response to this pressing issue, the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology has taken a proactive step by implementing a revolutionary team approach to provide psychiatric coverage in the UAB Emergency Room, offering continuous support seven days a week. This initiative, which commenced in January 2023, has already yielded remarkable results in addressing the backlog.

Photo from @uabpsychresidency on Instagram.The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is committed to promoting the wellness and well-being of its residents. Several initiatives and programs have been implemented to address the factors influencing wellness and burnout among residents. Here are some key highlights.

In an era marked by a rapidly aging population, the field of geriatric psychiatry faces both unprecedented challenges and promising opportunities. The UAB Department of Psychiatry's Geriatrics Section illuminates the critical issues, evolving strategies, and transformative insights shaping geriatric psychiatry today. 

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Christina Mueller, Ph.D., to the faculty as an assistant professor in February 2024.

Depression is a silent enemy, lurking in the shadows of countless lives, often concealed by shame, guilt, and isolation. Approximately 800,000 individuals worldwide (800 in Alabama) die by suicide annually, with approximately 50% of all suicides linked to depression. In addition, the economic impact of depression on society is greater than any other illness globally, according to the World Health Organization. In the heart of Alabama, where the burden of this mental disorder is particularly heavy, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Depression and Suicide Center has embarked on a remarkable journey to combat this relentless foe. With an ambitious goal of raising $10 million, the center’s mission was nothing short of revolutionary as that goal was reached in 2023. The goal was not only met but surpassed with $10.8 million raised.

The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Jerri Edwards, Ph.D., to the faculty as a professor in January 2024.

 Pictured: APPs in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, including Valisia Davis, DNP, CRNP, PMHS, PNP-BC, APP Supervisor; Leah Pickett, DNP, CRNP, APP Manager; Richard M. Hall, MSPAS, PA-C; Andrea "Cassidy" James Sharma, CRNP, FPMHNP-BC; Christine Fowler, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Amy Britton, FNP-C, ACNP; Sabah Angeles, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Aimee Morrison, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC; Not pictured: Bentley Adams, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Gwendolyn Allen, MSN, FNP-C; Jessica Skarda, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Donna Williams, MSN, PMHNP-BC.

In the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are on the front lines of patient care, working in a capacity similar to physicians across a diverse range of clinical settings.

Adrienne Lahti, M.D., Heman E. Drummond Professor and Chair of the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, along with Junghee Lee, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry & Neurobiology and Geropsychiatry Research Chair, and Nina Kraguljac, M.D., M.A., former UAB employee in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Ohio State University, have been awarded a $5.3 million National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant titled "Multidimensional aging trajectories in mid to late-life psychosis (MAP)."

The joyous holiday season, celebrated with gatherings and festive activities, frequently transitions into a challenging period for many individuals. Post-holiday blues, characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue, and disappointment, can cast a shadow on the start of the new year. However, by acknowledging and confronting these emotions, individuals can enter the new year filled with renewed purpose and well-being.

Lillian Brady, Ph.D., has received a 2023 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant for her study, “Estradiol regulation of dopamine release dynamics through subunit-specific nicotinic receptor activation underlying sex-specific behavior.”

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) poses a significant challenge for individuals battling persistent depressive symptoms.

Despite multiple trials of traditional antidepressant medications, up to 40 percent of patients fail to achieve remission.

However, a ray of hope has emerged in the form of esketamine, a novel treatment that has garnered attention for its unique mechanism of action and promising results in cases of TRD.