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Strong Recovery Wellness Retreat

Earlier in August, our Strong Recovery team held a wellness retreat. This event celebrated clinical staff, faculty, and trainees and included food trucks, games, and costumes! READ MORE>>>


Health Equity Pilot Awards Fund Research Projects Focused on Violence Prevention and Caregiver Support

A new project by Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, and Kimberly Van Orden, PhD will work to reduce community violence by promoting intergenerational social connection. Funded by the URMC Office of Health Equity Research's Health Equity Pilot Award, their project, "Intergenerational Mentoring to Promote Healthier & Safer Communities," will connect older adults and youth through “Community Conversations” and training. READ MORE>>>


Mental Health and Wellness Family Lounge Reopens!

Ronald McDonald Family room

Coinciding with the grand opening of our Brighter Days Pediatric Urgent Care Center in June, the newly renovated Ronald McDonald Family Room has reopened on the ground floor of UR Medicine Mental Health and Wellness. Sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, this room provides a respite space with laundry services and snacks for caregivers and families of pediatric mental health patients. The room is open from noon to 8 PM. READ MORE>>>


Two New Starts in Psychiatry

We are excited to announce two new additions to our department!


Paula VanMinos, EdD has joined Psychiatry as the Assistant Director of Business Administration for Education and Faculty Affairs. In this new role, she will oversee all administrative operations and the teams supporting our education/training programs such as the Skills Lab and the Psych Tech Group.


Shaun Lewis is our new Senior Customer Technology Specialist. In this role, he will oversee the Skills Lab and the Psych Tech Group. He is taking over this role from Steve Fasone who retired last month. READ MORE>>>

New Leadership in Adult Inpatient Services


Please join us in welcoming Kyle Rodenbach, MD to his new role as Medical Director of our Adult Inpatient Services. Dr. Rodenbach joined our department last year where he became a valued member of the CPEP team. He most recently served as Associate Medical Director of the inpatient service as well as a teaching attending to the Psychiatry Residency Program. READ MORE>>>

Kyle E. Rodenbach, M.D.

Steve Lamberti Presents Keynote Address at Canadian National ACT Conference


J. Steven Lamberti, MD will be presenting the keynote address at the Canadian National ACT Conference on September 11th in Utopia, Ontario. He will be discussing "Essential Elements of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment."

J. Steven Lamberti

Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Creative Arts Therapy Program Presents: A Talent Showcase


Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness's Creative Arts Therapy Program will be holding a Talent Showcase on September 13th at 7 PM featuring arts performances by youth engaged in mental health services. This event will take place at OFC Creations Theatre Center's Old Farm Cafe. Purchase tickets here.

Earlier this month, our Strong Recovery team held a wellness retreat. This event celebrated clinical staff, faculty, and trainees and included food trucks, games, and costumes! READ MORE>>>    Health Equity Pilot Awards Fund Research Projects Focused on Violence Prevention and Caregiver Support  A new project by Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, and Kimberly Van Orden, PhD will work to reduce community violence by promoting intergenerational social connection. Funded by the URMC Office of Health Equity Research's Health Equity Pilot Award, their project, "Intergenerational Mentoring to Promote Healthier & Safer Communities," will connect older adults and youth through “Community Conversations” and training. READ MORE>>>    Two New Starts in Psychiatry  We are excited to announce two new additions to our department!    Paula VanMinos, EdD has joined Psychiatry as the Assistant Director of Business Administration for Education and Faculty Affairs. In this new tole, she will oversee all administrative operations and the teams supporting our education/training programs such as the Skills Lab and the Psych Tech Group.    Shaun Lewis is our new Senior Customer Technology Specialist. In this role he will oversee the Skills Lab and supervise the Psych Tech Group. He is taking over this role from Steve Fasone who retired last month. READ MORE>>>    Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Creative Arts Therapy Program Presents: A Talent Showcase

2024 Janice Lynn Cohen Symposium

Janice Lynn Cohen Symposium Speakers

Michael Scharf, MD will be among the speakers at this year's Janice Lynn Cohen Symposium, a collaboration between the University of Rochester Department of Pediatrics and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School taking place on September 18th. This event will focus on Healing Through Collaboration: Trauma-Informed Care for Adolescents and Communities. Click here to learn more and to register.

Join UR Medicine Mental Health and Wellness for Community Walks Throughout Fall

NAMIWalks logo

We are excited to join this year's NAMI Walks Rochester taking place on September 28th from 8 AM to 12 PM at Village Gate Square. UR Mental Health and Wellness will have a walking team at the event as well as a table with resources on our programs. Can't attend the walk? You can also support the team's effort by fundraising for NAMI Rochester or sharing on social media!

AFSP logo

In addition, on October 5th, Psychiatry members will be participating in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) 2024 Out of the Darkness Walk at Veteran's Memorial Park in Penfield! This event will support AFSP's suicide prevention efforts and raise awareness for one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.


Teams that will be walking:

Psychiatry in the News

School Year Stress: Acing the Back-to-School Season

Many caregivers and kids may find themselves nervous as back-to-school season starts. Marvin Duncan, LMSW, Allison Stiles, PhD, and Melissa Heatley, PhD were among the experts who shared tips and advice on adjusting to a new routine and managing anxiety during the school year. READ MORE>>>


Doctors, Patients, Algorithms, and Avatars

AI in Medicine image

As the use of artificial intelligence rises in healthcare, how do we ensure everyone benefits fairly and responsibly? Caroline Easton, PhD and Michael Hasselberg, NP, MS, PhD joined colleagues from the Departments of Imaging Sciences, Computer Sciences, and Philosophy in the latest issue of Rochester Review to discuss incorporating ethical AI into diagnosis and treatment. READ MORE>>>

DICE Corner

DICE Summer Brown Bag Series Wraps Up for 2024

July 10th Brown Bag Presentation- "Why Include Artistic Expressions? How Music and Art Connect to Culture"

Our 2024 DICE Summer Brown Bag Series wrapped up in August. Thank you to all our speakers and all those who attended! Recordings of the sessions will be uploaded on our website here.

August 2024 Publications

Upcoming Events