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Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

We are so proud of our Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry for being named to the top 50 Best Children's Hospitals in U.S. News and World Report! The team was awarded this distinction alongside the Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and the Division of Adolescent Medicine. Thank you to the team of 50 faculty members, over 120 clinicians, and many more staff members who take care of youth in our community every day! READ MORE>>>

Walking to Support Suicide Prevention and Alzheimer's Services in Rochester

Out of the Darkness Walk 2024

Thank you to everyone who stopped by earlier in October for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness walk and Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's!

Walk to End Alzheimer's 2024

Several of our programs including Sheftall Lab, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, and our Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Memory Care, were among the teams walking to support these important organizations! READ MORE>>>

Leadership Changes in Psychiatry

We are excited to announce the two following leadership changes in our department!


Julie V. Achtyl, MS, LMHC, CASAC-M, NCC, ACS has been named as Psych Therapist Chief. In this new role, she will serve as the discipline chief for Psychiatry’s licensed/credentialed therapists, non-licensed clinical, and clinical support roles. She will also serve as a liaison between therapists and senior leadership. READ MORE>>>

Julie Achtyl

In addition, Sally Rousseau, LCSW, LMFT will be rejoining the Department of Psychiatry as the new Director of Strong Minds, which includes our General Ambulatory clinic, the Deaf Wellness Center, the Gender Patient Support: Health and Wellness program, and the Adult Ambulatory Access programs. She rejoins us from her most recent role as Director of Social Work at Highland Hospital. READ MORE>>>

Sally Rosseu

Representing URMC Psychiatry Nationally and Internationally

Medicine in Psychiatry Services Presenting at Association of Medicine and Psychiatry conference

Several of our Psychiatry teams recently presented at national and international conferences.


Our Medicine in Psychiatry Services (MIPS) team stopped by the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry 2024 annual conference in Milwaukee to present two poster sessions. Elaine Rigney, MD, Kevin Brazill, DO, Marsha Wittink, MD, MBE, Lorraine Schild NP, and Nicole Fulle, RN, discussed recent research into patient priorities and health outcomes.

In addition, Dr. Wittink was among the presenters at the 27th World Congress of the International College of Psychosomatic Medicine in Tübingen, Germany. Alongside colleagues from the Netherlands, South Korea, and the United States, Dr. Wittink discussed Medical Psychiatry Units in cultural contexts.

American Psychiatric Nurses Association's annual conference

Several of our nursing team members also presented posters earlier in October at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association's annual conference! READ MORE>>>

Brighter Days Urgent Care at the 2024 Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference.jpg

Last but not least, our Brighter Days Pediatric Urgent Care team joined the 2024 Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference to share information and resources with pediatric nurses on mental health challenges faced by children and families.


Psychiatry Residents Speak at Project Level the Field Symposium

Demetra Mensah-Bonsu, MD, Justin Badgett, MD

Demetra Mensah-Bonsu, MD and Justin Badgett, MD recently spoke at the annual Project Level The Field, Inc. Pre-Med Symposium. They provided insight on their journies into medicine and psychiatry to undergraduate University of Rochester students. READ MORE>>>

Traci Terrance Named to Appointment with CTSI


Traci Terrance, PhD was recently named to a secondary appointment with the Clinical & Translational Science Institute building upon her earlier work developing and teaching a course on structural racism in healthcare and research.

Traci Terrance

Welcoming New Faculty to Psychiatry

2024 New Faculty Orientation

In October, we welcomed new faculty to our department with an orientation and reception. READ MORE>>>


Deaf Wellness Center Hiring ASL Interpreters

Our Deaf Wellness Center is now hiring ASL interpreters for their new location at 150 North Chestnut Street! Click here and search for job #254031 for more details!


Opportunity from the UR School of Nursing and Patrick P. Lee Foundation for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Careers

Considering a career in psychiatric mental health nursing? The Patrick P. Lee Foundation has extended its support of the University of Rochester School of Nursing (SON), dedicating more than $1.2 million to the region’s behavioral health workforce. The Buffalo-based foundation will offer half-tuition scholarships, matched by the SON, for up to 24 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students over the next four years. Applications for the Summer 2025 semester are due Jan. 15. READ MORE>>>


Resilient Roots Listening Session

Resilient Roots

Our Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness team is seeking input from families on how to improve therapy for Black and Brown youth and their families. The next listening session is November 13th, and compensation will be provided! READ MORE>>>


National Injury Prevention Day Informational Fair

The Firearm Injury Prevention Program will be tabling at an upcoming fair held in honor of National Injury Prevention Day. Organized by the Injury Free Coalition for Kids and the Kessler Trauma Center, this event will take place on November 17th at Eastview Mall. READ MORE>>>


Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy Virtual Open House

Considering a career helping individuals and families struggling with relationship conflict, parenting, or mental health challenges? Our Institute for the Family will be holding virtual open houses for those interested in pursuing a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. READ MORE>>>


2nd Annual Psychiatry Holiday Food Drive

2nd Annual Department of Psychiatry Food Drive graphic

Our second annual Holiday Food Drive begins November 25th! All donations will directly help patients in our Strong Ties, Strong Minds, Strong Recovery, and inpatient programs. Drop off non-perishables until December 9th at the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (1-9017), the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Educator Office (1-9022), as well as a number of clinics!

Psychiatry in the News

Check Your Health Podcast


Jerard Johnson and Linda Alpert-Gillis, PhD of our Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness services joined Shaun Nelms, EdD on an episode of WDKX's Check Your Health to discuss the Brighter Days Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care Center and how this service supports youth experiencing mental health crises. READ MORE>>>

Check Your Health Podcast Thumbnail

How a Pregnant Woman's Mental Health Can Affect Child Development

Kristin Koberstein, PhD, LMFT joined community members and colleagues from Jewish Family Services on an episode of WXXI's Connections with Evan Dawson to discuss how mental health during pregnancy can affect child development. READ MORE>>>

October Publications

Upcoming Events