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In the Know
University of Florida
Department of Psychiatry Newsletter
January 2023
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In Memoriam
Dwight L. Evans, MD, MS

Dwight Evans, MD

Dwight L. Evans, MD, the fourth Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychoneuroimmunology Laboratory passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2022. Dr. Evans left the University of North Carolina to assume the psychiatry chair position at the University of Florida in 1992. Under his leadership, the department underwent tremendous growth in its research infrastructure, moving to a position of national recognition. After five years at the helm, Dr. Evans returned to his home state and became one of the longest serving chairs of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He left a legacy of clinical and research excellence wherever he went. 

Dr. Evans was a recipient of the William C. Menninger Memorial Award from the American College of Physicians, the American Psychiatric Association Research Award, the Mentorship Award from the APA/American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry, the American College of Psychiatrists Award for Research in Mood Disorders among numerous others awards and accolades the for both his research and leadership accomplishments. Despite so many accomplishments and awards, Dr. Evans will always be remembered best for his personal impact he left on so many. He was a remarkably selfless, humble, kind and above all devoted to his family and friends.

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In Memoriam
Herbert E. Ward, MD

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Herbert E. Ward, MD, served as a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at UF for 26 years, and until his retirement from UF in 2021, served as the Medical Director for adult psychiatry services. Dually trained and boarded in psychiatry and internal medicine, and with a masters’ degree in neuropharmacology, Dr. Ward had clinical and research interests and expertise in multiple arenas. His contributions ranged from increasing recognition and treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in primary care settings, to helping to develop a psychiatry neuromodulation program, with a focus on deep brain stimulation, in collaboration with the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at UF. Dr. Ward was a core member of the early pioneering studies of the use of DBS for OCD and Tourette Syndrome, work which ultimately led to FDA approval for DBS as an accepted intervention for treatment resistant OCD. For this work, and for his loving and resolute care of many patients with complex and/or treatment resistant forms of psychiatric illness, Dr. Ward was awarded the Kaine Professorship in Neuromodulation in 2015.

Dr. Ward was also an accomplished teacher and mentor. He was the recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the NIMH Faculty Scholar Award and several UF COM Faculty Teaching Awards. Following his retirement from UF, joined the HCA Florida system, where he was a master teacher for their new psychiatry residency program. He was recently lauded as the residency’s top teacher. Dr. Ward acted as a mentor for many cohorts of medical students, residents, and junior faculty at UF and, more recently, at HCA Florida. 

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Dr. Carr receives FEO award

Dr. Carr receives FEO award

Brent Carr, MD has received a Faculty Enhancement Opportunity (FEO) award. This award is presented to faculty to encourage applications for creative and flexible faculty development activities, including…

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Dr. Rahmani elected Distinguished Fellow of the APA

Dr. Rahmani elected Distinguished Fellow of the APA

Associate Professor, Mariam Rahmani, MD has been elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions…

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FRC voted top 5 best addiction treatment center in Florida

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Congratulations to the UF Health Florida Recovery Center for being voted to the top 5 treatment centers in Florida by Newsweek!

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MHSC 2023: Session and Poster submissions now open

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The 2023 APA Mental Health Services Conference, October 12-13, 2023, in Washington, D.C., submission site is currently open to new submissions of sessions and posters. The site will close on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

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Psychiatry Staff Professional Development Program

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Creative Services offers visual abstract templates

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UF Health Creative Services offers several templates for visual abstracts, a way to visually show key features of your work for posting on websites and social media.

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Join UF Psychiatry Alumni Society

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Become a member of the UF Psychiatry Alumni Society! The society fosters alumni networking, socializing and sharing current trends in psychiatric and behavioral science. Show your support of the education, research and clinical mission of the department by joining.

• Annual Dues: $100

• Lifetime Dues: $2,500 (payable over five years, $500 per year)

Membership dues support activities of the society and training programs.

To learn more about giving back to the department and alumni opportunities, please contact Callie Wilkes. (calliewilkes@ufl.edu). 

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Anti-Racism and Health Equity Group

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It’s not too late to join the Anti-Racism and Health Equity Group on the UF Health Bridge!

We would love for you to join us for these new and thought provoking opportunities and welcome you to join the group and present ideas of your own. Go to the UF Health Bridge to join the group, and see more details, on resources, activities, and events. 

Join us for our next meeting, 12:00pm - 1:00pm on January 30, 2023 for discussions focused on anti-racism, social justice and health equity so we can learn together and from one another, strengthening our teams.

Join Now
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UF CARD Update

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Parenting a Child with Exceptional Needs| Tuesdays, January 10-31, 2023, 7-8PM| ONLINE
This 4-part workshop series will help parents and caregivers understand their child’s development and how to support their exceptional needs. Topics will include how a child develops emotionally, what systems you will need to understand to support your child’s needs, how to keep track of all the information, what it takes to be an effective advocate for your child, and how to support your needs as the caregiver.  

Behavior Strategies that Work | Mondays, January 23 – March 13, 2023, 12-1PM| ONLINE
During this series of sessions, participants will learn strategies for managing the spectrum of behaviors observed in children with autism. The sessions are appropriate for educators and caregivers of children with ASD. Many of the strategies that will be addressed are appropriate for individuals of all ages, but the sessions focus on children between the ages of 4 and 12 years. While it is most beneficial if you can attend each of the 8 sessions, it is not required.

Sexuality & ASD: Supporting School-Aged Students Who Demonstrate Inappropriate or Dangerous Sexual Behavior at School | Saturday, February 4, 2023, 9-11AM | GAINESVILLE
This training will provide information and suggested strategies for teachers and other school-based personnel supporting school-aged individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who may be engaging in sexually maladaptive behavior at school.  

30th Annual Statewide CARD Conference | JAN 12th - 15th, 2023 | ORLANDO  
Thurs/Fri: ADOS Clinical Workshop; Fri: PEPSA Day for Educators; Sat/Sun: Keynote & Breakout Sessions

See the UF CARD website for information about Support/Social Groups for adults and children.

Find UF CARD at these community events!
02/04/23 Disability Resource Expo 2023 (Gainesville)
02/11/23 Puzzle Pieces of North Florida Casting for Autism (Branford)

If you know someone in need of UF CARD services, please direct them to the UF CARD registration page or have them call 352-265-2230.

Visit UF CARD
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Upcoming Events


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January 13 | Grand Rounds

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Mutual Help Organizations for Substance Use Disorders: What Is the Evidence

Keith Humphreys, PhD
Esther Ting Memorial Professor of Psychiatry
Stanford University School of Medicine
Director, Mental Health Policy Section, Division of Public Mental Health & Population Sciences, Stanford University
Honorary Professor, Institute of Psychiatry at the Maudsley King’s College, London

12:00pm - 1:00pm

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February 8 | FRC Wednesdays at Noon: Addiction Medicine 

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Jason Hunt, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry

12:00pm - 1:00pm

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February 17 | Health Equity and Diversity Day

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Register Here
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February 27-28 | 13th Annual COM Celebration of Research

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The UF College of Medicine hosts a two-day event highlighting pioneering scholarship across the College of Medicine. Events include a research awards ceremony and reception, an inclusive excellence breakfast, a keynote address, a poster session and more.

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March 6-9 | 2023 Patient Safety Quality Week

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The call for abstracts is now open for poster sessions and podium presentations!

Abstracts are due by January 13, 2023

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April 17 | 10th Annual UF CARE Symposium

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This year’s annual symposium brings exciting opportunities provided through the MBI’s commitment to support emerging UF-related conferences. This year, while retaining the poster sessions, keynote addresses and career roundtables, also includes symposia/panel presentations, events to expand community outreach, and offer a limited number of travel awards. 

The submission portal with full details for panels, posters and travel awards will open ~ January 9, 2023

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April 21-23 | FPS 2023 Spring Meeting 

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Florida Psychiatric Society Resident-Fellow Members have the exclusive opportunity to enter the John E. Adams Psychiatry RFM Poster Competition, which will take place during the Florida Psychiatric Society Spring CME Meeting .

This judged competition honors the top 3 highest scores with a cash award: 1st-$300; 2nd-$200; 3rd-$100

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UF Health Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment (UF CAN) Housing Survey

Purpose: This study aims to collect information on the housing needs for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. This information will be used by UF CAN and other organizations in measuring, defining, and sharing information about the housing needs and support services needed for adults with developmental disabilities in the State of Florida, in order to help them transition more independently into affordable and inclusive housing of their choice.

Who is eligible to participate in the survey?
Individuals 18 years or older, Living in Florida, and Diagnosed with a developmental disability OR Caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities living in Florida.

What do you need to do?
• Click the survey link: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpU49BZ5ViAbLoi
• Answer the 21 questions listed on your computer, tablet, or phone. (Should take about 10 - 15 minutes to complete.)

For more information about this research study contact Carla Schmidt carla.schmidt@coe.ufl.edu or Ann-Marie Orlando aorlando@ufl.edu. Study ID: IRB202100150 Date approved: 06/07/2021

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UF Mindfulness 360° Sessions begin Jan. 23

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The weekly 360° Mindfulness series returns on Jan. 23 and will continue through May 1, with sessions held via Zoom each Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Meet fellow practitioners, learn about mindfulness meditation practices, and relax your mind. Register for a link to all sessions and attend as you are able.

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In-person fitness classes for faculty and staff

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Faculty and staff are invited to attend these in-person fitness classes for all fitness levels at no cost throughout the semester.

  • Zumba: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., UF Health Professional Park building.  
  • Yoga: Mondays, Smathers Library Room 100, and Tuesdays, Ustler Hall Atrium, 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. 
  • Pilates: Every other Thursday beginning Jan. 12, Reitz Union North Lawn, 5:30 p.m.
  • Stadium Workout (coming soon)
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2023 Challenge Calendar

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FREE Mental Health Workshops

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The UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) offers free online mental health workshops for UF STUDENT, FACULTY, and STAFF. Workshops provide the opportunity to learn new skills to strengthen personal resilience, develop healthy self-care habits, and grow mental health awareness. No consultation or appointment is needed. Just RSVP and join at your convenience.

The full list of workshops is available here: https://counseling.ufl.edu/outreach/workshops/. Recordings of previous workshops are also available on the UF CWC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/UFCWC

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Mental health helpline devoted exclusively to UF faculty and staff

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In an effort to more efficiently connect UF and UF Health faculty and staff and their families to mental health services, UFHR, in partnership with the UF departments of Psychiatry and Clinical and Health Psychology, is introducing a new Mental Health Services Access Line devoted exclusively to university employees and their dependents. Faculty, staff and their dependents may call (352) 627-0032 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to receive assistance identifying and securing access to the mental health services best suited to their needs.

The new helpline is designed to increase access to mental health care and to supplement existing resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) rather than replace them, providing a single point of entry and ensuring employees get the help they need in a timely manner. UF employees and their household members may still 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.

Visit EAP
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Guidance Connect service provides quicker, more direct access to therapists

UF's Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, provides UF faculty and staff as well as their household members access to free live counseling support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through its partnership with ComPsych. Now, in addition to calling its toll-free number, (833) 306-0103, faculty and staff have the option to search for a network therapist and determine their availability via ComPsych's portal.

To access the EAP's new Guidance Connect feature, visit guidanceresources.com and click on the Register tab to establish your profile, using the Organization Web ID: UFEAP. After registering, click on "Connect to Care" to answer a few questions and to get matched with a pool of therapists who meet your clinical needs and preferences. In-person, telephone, video or chat counseling options are available.

If you have questions or would like more information, please email eap-help@ufl.edu.

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UF GatorSAFE Mobile App

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Safety resources at your fingertips with the new UF GatorSAFE Mobile App. Smartphone users who download the free GATORSAFE app can now report tips to the UF Police Department, make emergency calls and perform other functions that improve their personal safety and security.

Apple Store

Google Play Store

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Get in the News

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: 
David Roberts
Melinda Fawcett
Alexis Dusel
Priscilla Spence

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