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What COVID Left Behind
During the pandemic, psychiatry went digital, trading in-person connection for efficiency. But what was lost in the shift? Dr. Brent Carr explores how going digital affected the therapeutic encounter. Dr. Carr writes, “Presence is not a luxury. It is a medium. A carrier of empathy, rhythm, hesitation, warmth. Not all patients require it…
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Digital Dependency After Distancing: The Lingering Effects of COVID-Era Tech Use
Did the pandemic change your relationship with your phone, the internet, or social media? You’re not alone. Psychiatry and addiction medicine assistant professor, Dr. Amanda Janner, has a new article in the Florida Family Physician journal exploring the rise of technology addiction following COVID-19 lockdowns.
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Dr. Cheryl McNeil receives the Parenting & Families SIG Trailblazer Award
Dr. Cheryl B. McNeil, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Florida, has been honored with the 2025 Trailblazer Award…
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Faculty Research Highlights: Call for Submissions
As discussed at the last faculty meeting, we’d like to highlight a publication from one faculty member in each monthly newsletter. To get this started, we’re asking for volunteers to suggest one of their recent publications that can be summarized in a few sentences. If you are interested, please send the following information to Dr. Setlow: Title Full names and affiliations of all authors Journal/book in which it is published Electronic link to publication if available (e.g., DOI, publisher’s website, PubMed link, etc.) One sentence summarizing the goal or problem addressed in the publication One-two sentences summarizing the findings described in the publication One-two sentences summarizing the conclusions and broader implications of the work described in the publication.
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Snapshot Spotlight
Have you captured a great moment at a recent conference, departmental event, or fun social activity with your coworkers? Share your photos with us for the Snapshot Spotlight! We love highlighting the connections, teamwork, and celebrations that make our department special. Send in your favorites, and you may see them featured in an upcoming newsletter.
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Above: Faculty and residents at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Conference.
Below: Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Out of the Darkness Walk! We loved seeing our community come together in support of mental wellness. We're proud to share that we raised $450, surpassing our $250 goal!
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Springhill 2's 2025 Fall Bakeoff
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Friday, November 14th, our Psychology and Child Psychiatry Divisions hosted their annual Springhill 2 Fall Bakeoff and it was a sweet success! Congratulations…
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Sandhya grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. She then attended Penn State Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in Law, where she met her husband.
In 2008, her husband had the honor of becoming a faculty member at the University of Florida. While living in Gainesville, Sandhya gained insight into the world of grants and academic research as a Research Administrator II in the Office of Contracts and Grants and then as an Assistant Director in the department of Nephrology—where Gatorade was invented! She stepped away from UF in 2019 to focus on the family's real estate business.
Now, in 2025, Sandhya is excited to return to UF and be a part of the Gator Nation as a Research Administrator III at the McKnight Brain Institute. As a Research Administrator III, Sandhya will provide support to both clinical and basic science research by managing grant development and submissions, maintaining regular reporting on proposals, awards, and faculty research activity. Acting as the primary liaison for research faculty, addressing administrative and fiscal inquiries, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements. She will also supervise the Fiscal Administrator II and Research Administrator II.
When she is not on campus, Sandhya enjoys traveling with her husband, her kids, and their White German Shepherd. She also enjoys running, reading British crime novels, and perfecting her roast chicken.
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Psychiatry Staff Professional Development Program
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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
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UF CARD Update
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Strategies that Work Series
Various Thursdays, September 2025 through March 2026; 3:30 – 4:30pm | ONLINE Topics include: Behavior; Considerations for Students with Extensive Support Needs; Sensory/Motor Considerations; Communication; Social Skills; Teaching New Skills Ringing in the Season with the Annasemble Chamber Orchestra Thursday, December 4, 2025; 7:00PM | Celebration United Methodist Church 9501 SW Archer Road, Gainesville Free Entry! Come celebrate with us! Managing Burnout for Adults with ASD
Thursday, December 4, 2025; 5:30 – 7:00PM | ONLINE Navigating Your First Year After Diagnosis
Monday, December 8, 2025; 4:30-5:30PM | ONLINE Talking to Your Family Members About an ASD Diagnosis
Thursday, December 15, 2025; 4:30-5:30PM | ONLINE 33rd Annual Statewide Center for Autism & Related Disabilities
January 15-18, 2026 | Orlando Parent/Caregiver Lunch and Learn Series
Third Friday of every month; 12:00 - 1:00PM | ONLINE
Save the Dates Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details! 01/26/26 Homework Help 01/29/26 Successful School/Home Communication 02/02/26 Mapping Out Special Needs Planning From Childhood Through Adulthood 02/17/26 Helping Individuals with Autism Understand Death and Grieving 03/07/26 Stomp the Swamp for Autism 03/19/26 Systematic Instructional Strategies to Promote Access to the General Curriculum for Students with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities 03/31/26 Battling Burnout: Addressing Caregiver Compassion Fatigue 04/06/26 Understanding Dyslexia and Dysgraphia in Autism 04/17/26 “The Lost Girls”: Shining a Light on Females with ASD 09/21/26 The UCLA PEERS® Curriculum for School-Based Professionals Find us at these community events! 03/14/26 Citrus County School's Water Safety Day for Autism (Lecanto) Sign up for the UF CARD eNews, visit the UF CARD website, and follow the UF CARD Facebook Page to stay informed about events. If you know someone in need of UF CARD services, please direct them to the UF CARD pre-registration page or have them call 352-265-2230.
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Mondays | Lunchcapades
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Residents, fellows, and faculty! Take a 20-minute breather from patient care and join us for Lunchcapades, a weekly wellness walk designed to get your steps in while nurturing career and life mentorship. Whether you’re interested in child psychiatry or just looking to connect with colleagues, this is an open invitation to unplug, move, and share stories along the way. Every walk is a chance to swap clinical pearls, reflect on meaningful patient interactions, and share lessons learned in our journeys as mental health professionals. Think of it as storytelling with a purpose—mentorship, wellness, and connection, all rolled into one. When: Every Monday starting July 7th Where: Meet at Opus at 12:10pm What to expect: A casual walk with good conversation, career guidance, wellness tips, clinical stories, and reflections on the art of medicine. No prep, no pressure. Just fresh air, fresh perspectives, and a few more steps on your pedometer. Join the WhatsApp chat for reminders and coordinating walks!
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December 5 | Grand Rounds Returns
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This presentation will be fully virtual.
Watch Parties held at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901, McKnight Brain Institute, L4-101, & AOPC, Room 3242. Click here for the Livestream link.
Click here for the Zoom link.
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December 8 - 17 | Holiday Meals with Dept of Psychiatry!
We're excited to announce a series of holiday gatherings throughout the Department of Psychiatry this season. From December 8-17, five convenient locations will offer breakfast or lunch on various days for our department.
We hope that you can stop by one and share in cheer and camaraderie, as we celebrate together. Additional details will be shared with each location leading up to the events.
Monday December 8 | C/L | 8am
Tuesday December 9 | FRC | 12pm
Wednesday December 10 | MBI | 12pm
Thursday December 11 | VA | 12pm
Tuesday December 16 | Vista | 7:30am
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December 10 | COM Town Hall
Join Dean Hunt for the next virtual College of Medicine Town Hall from 12:15pm-12:45pm
These town halls are full of information and usually include a question and answer session – it’s a great time to submit questions to leadership.
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December 12 | Grand Rounds Returns
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Live at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901
Watch Parties held at the McKnight Brain Institute, L4-101, & AOPC, Room 3242 Click here for the Livestream link.
Click here for the Zoom link.
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December 19 | Grand Rounds
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Live at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901
Watch Parties held at the McKnight Brain Institute, L4-101, & AOPC, Room 3242 Click here for the Livestream link.
Click here for the Zoom link.
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Save the Date | Celebration of Research
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February 9-10, 2026
This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for great things to happen at UF. The College of Medicine community shares knowledge and discoveries, establishes new and celebrates existing collaborations, and, most importantly, supports our learners in becoming successful lifetime researchers.
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Employee Assistance Program
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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.
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Let Us Know!
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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
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