Welcome

Jeena Kar, DO is an osteopathic physician specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She brings a strong clinical focus in treating depression, anxiety, and addressing mental health needs within culturally diverse communities. Dr. Kar is especially passionate about reducing mental health stigma in minoritized populations and takes a holistic approach to care.

Her work is grounded in Lifestyle Psychiatry, integrating evidence-based treatments with wellness practices such as nutrition, physical activity, spirituality, and the creative arts. She believes in the power of combining therapy, lifestyle interventions, and when appropriate, using the safest and lowest effective doses of medication.

Dr. Kar earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, followed by General Psychiatry Residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship training at the University of Florida. She also pursued graduate studies in Arts in Medicine to better understand how creative expression can support healing.

In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Kar enjoys walking, exploring new creative projects, and scrapbooking.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Rubab Islam as an Assistant Professor in the Adult Psychiatry Clinic. Dr. Islam recently completed her general psychiatry residency at the University of Florida, where she also earned her medical degree. During her training, she demonstrated a strong commitment to clinical excellence, medical education, and quality improvement—earning awards including the VA PGY2 Resident of the Year and the John E. Adams Memorial Academic Achievement Award.

Her academic interests include neuropsychiatry, capacity evaluations, and improving clinical workflows, as reflected in her quality improvement projects and poster presentations. She has also published abstracts in Movement Disorders and remains active in advocacy and service, including with the Equal Access Clinic.

We’re excited to have Dr. Islam continue her journey with us and bring her enthusiasm, leadership, and dedication to patient care to our faculty.

Please join me in welcoming Kenyada Higgins-Cheatem to the Department of Psychiatry! Kenyada has joined us as a Human Resources Generalist I.

Kenyada is originally from Morristown, TN, and moved to Gainesville, FL, to attend the University of Florida in the Fall of 2005. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., having been initiated into the Lambda Rho Chapter at UF in the Spring of 2007. She graduated from UF in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and later earned a Master’s in Criminal Justice.

After graduation, she began her career at UF, working in the Bursar’s Office for four years. She then spent nearly nine years as a Membership Coordinator for the local Realtor Association. Following her time with the association, she joined LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, where she worked in Human Resources for three years.

She has been married to her husband Cortez for five years, and they’ve been together for twelve. They have two daughters: Cadence, who is five years old and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Their younger daughter, Cooper, is three years old and will begin Pre-K next spring.

In her new role with the Department of Psychiatry, Kenyada will oversee all aspects of OPS, Adjunct Clinical Postdocs, Residents, Fellows, and Volunteer appointments, including recruitment, offboarding, payroll, moonlighting, training, and leave. She will also serve as the Department Security Administrator (DSA), ensuring proper role assignments for employees.

In her free time, she enjoys all things Harry Potter (proudly Team Slytherin), loves Marvel movies, and has a passion for random science facts and history trivia. She considers herself a bit of a nerd—and happily so

Please join me in giving Kenyada a warm welcome!

Lucy serves as the Lab Admin Coordinator II for the Center for Addiction Research and Education in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida. In this role, she supports research operations and administrative functions critical to the advancement of substance use and mental health research.

Prior to this position, Lucy was the Academic Assistant II at the UF School of Physician Assistant Studies, where she served as the didactic coordinator, managing course scheduling, assessments, and student support during the academic phase of the program. She also held the role of Academic Assistant I with UF Continuing Dental Education, contributing to the coordination of professional development programs for dental practitioners.

Lucy holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Mississippi State University. With a strong background in academic operations and student services, Lucy brings a detail-oriented and collaborative approach to supporting research and educational missions at UF.

Summer Photo Contest – Share Your Summer Story!

We’re excited to announce our Department of Psychiatry Summer Photo Contest! As you soak up the sunshine, travel, spend time with loved ones, or simply enjoy the season, we invite you to capture and share your favorite summer moments with us.

Submit your photos in one of five categories, each inspired by some of our department’s core values:

• Exploration & Growth – Show how you’ve grown or discovered something new this summer.

• Connection – Highlight moments of community, belonging, or meaningful relationships.

• Joy in the Moment – Celebrate simple joys, laughter, or feel-good moments.

• Creativity in Nature & Life – Capture the beauty, art, or creativity you’ve seen or created.

• Harmony with Nature – Share how you’ve connected with or appreciated the natural world.

Deadline for submissions: August 27th
Submit to: Melinda Fawcett at hartigan@ufl.edu

Winners will be announced at the Fall Social, and winning photos will be proudly displayed!

We can’t wait to see the summer through your lens!

Congratulations

Psychiatry Staff Professional Development Program

Faculty from across UF Psychiatry have created a Staff Professional Development Fund designed to provide direct support from faculty to our support staff in their efforts to advance professionally

September 20 | Dept Fall Social

More Details to Come.

September 20 | FRC Run 4 Recovery

Event Schedule:

7:45 am: Registration and Check-in

8:30 am: Fun Run begins

10:15 am: Awards Ceremony

11:00 am: Event Ends

*Race packet pick - up will also be available on 9/19 from 8am-5pm at the FRC (4305 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville FL 32606)*

Depot Park: 874 SE 4th St Gainesville, FL 32601

 Race Route

This event is free, but we ask that you please consider making a donation along with your RSVP to help support addiction medicine, research, and treatment.

Registration will close on 9/19, but same day registration will be available at the event.

September 22-26 | COM Week

SEPT. 19, 1-3 P.M., Postdoc Ice Cream Social - ARB/HMEB CIRCLE

SEPT. 24, 7-8 A.M., State of the College - HMEB 135

SEPT. 24, 5:30-7 P.M., Celebration of Faculty Promotion and Tenure - HMEB 125

SEPT. 26, 7:30 – 8:30 A.M., Orange and Brew HMEB CIRCLE

SEPT. 26, 2 – 3:30 P.M., Faculty Open House M112 DEAN’S CONFERENCE ROOM

Staff Appreciation Celebrations:

• Springhill/Vista: Sept. 22, 12-1 p.m., 4th floor conference room (Springhill 1)
• MSB, ARB, MBI, HMEB, and East Campus: Sept. 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Founders Gallery
• 1329: Sept. 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 3rd floor surgery suite
• More Locations

Employee Assistance Program

The UF Employee Assistance Program aims to support UF employees by providing a safe space and quality mental health and wellness resources. EAP therapists and affiliated employees uphold UF’s non-discrimination policy (UF Regulation 1.006), ensuring services are inclusive and respectful of everyone, regardless of their background or identity. UF employees and their household members may call the EAP at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (833) 306-0103, and anyone experiencing a crisis with more urgent needs should call the Alachua County Crisis Center at (352) 264-6789. You can also request an appointment online. EAP Resources & Appointment Requests

Let Us Know!

Do you have some news or an announcement you would like to share? Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond and who you would like to recognize?  Want us to save the date for an upcoming event? Editorial Team:  Melinda Fawcett Aubrey Bonsal