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Mental healthcare stigma and utilization among medical and physician assistant students
Dr. Lisa Merlo studies the unique stressors faced by physician assistant and medical students and offers recommendations to improve wellness programs and expand access to them.
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PTSD-TBI Research Snapshot: Drs. Robert D. Claar and Damon G. Lamb
New research in combat veterans sheds light on patterns of altered brain activity that appear to be associated with symptom severity for those with post-traumatic stress disorder and/or mild traumatic brain injury, a step toward developing more precise interventions capable of overcoming treatment resistance.
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Dr. Mitchell selected for UF COM Medical Education Research & Scholarship intensive course
Dr. Tarrah Mitchell, Associate Professor in the UF Department of Psychiatry, has been selected for the UF College of Medicine’s Medical Education Research & Scholarship Intensive Course.
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Faculty Research Highlights: Call for Submissions
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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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August was a big month for Research Admins! From the UF College of Medicine’s Celebration of Grant Submissions to connecting with colleagues at a Research Administration conference in NYC, Sandhya, Kati, Dr. Merlo, Jackie, and Denise Carlton are helping keep great research moving forward. Thank you for all you do to support our research!
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Dr. Jody Brown is our new Vice Chair for Education for the Department of Psychiatry! Dr. Brown has been with our department since 2015. He is currently an associate professor in the Child and Adolescent division, where he is also the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program Director. Dr. Brown has been recognized with multiple Exemplary Teaching Awards from the University of Florida, as well as his division’s outstanding teacher award, voted on by the Child Fellows and Psychiatry Residents. He served as the Medical Director of UF’s Student Health Psychiatry from 2018-2023. As Vice Chair for Education, Dr. Brown will oversee our department’s education and training programs. I am confident that he will excel in this new role, furthering our department’s learning environment and curating excellence in our faculty and trainees.
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Congratulations to Dr. Vivian Ibañez on her appointment to President Elect of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA)!
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Congratulations to our Psychology Trainees!
Outstanding Clinical Trainee Award: Seth Downing and Nola Duncan Outstanding Research and Scholarly Trainee Award: Justin Han and Jake Steggerda Outstanding Peer Supervisor Award: Teresa Goff
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Quantina Boyd is a dedicated social work professional with an educational background rooted in clinical counseling and social work. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Saint Leo University and went on to obtain her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of North Florida. Her academic training has provided her with a strong foundation in human behavior, mental health, counseling, advocacy, and social work practice. Through her education and professional experiences, Quantina has developed a passion for supporting children, families, and individuals as they navigate complex social, emotional, healthcare, and life circumstances. As the new Clinical Case Manager for the Navigate Program, Quantina will be using her education and professional experience to advocate for individuals and families, connect them with meaningful resources, and help them navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming. She believes in meeting people where they are, empowering them through education and support, and helping them recognize their strengths and potential. Her continued professional goal is to expand her knowledge, share what she has learned with others, and make a meaningful impact through education, advocacy, mentorship, and service.
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Alexis Hall, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC is a recent graduate from UF's College of Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice program, where she also earned the Nurse Educator Professional Certificate. A former Gator, she previously completed a Precision Medicine Graduate Certificate from UF as well as a Master of Science in Pharmacy with a major in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a concentration in Personalized Medicine. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Miami, where a collaboration brought her to Gainesville. A lifelong learner who is committed to integrating precision health and personalized medicine into routine care, she is now pursuing certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through Florida State's certificate program. Alexis' career spans molecular research, clinical investigation, precision health innovation, and nursing education. She currently holds certifications from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP‑CP), the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (CNCT), and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM‑CPT), and she is actively pursuing the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's DipACLM credential. The latter credentials reflect her value of the importance of whole person care. Two standard poodle fur babies and a wonderful relationship with her husband round out her personal approach to balance. Alexis contributes to advance practice nursing and precision health leadership as a member of the Advanced Practice Provider Committee for the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine and as co‑chair of the Ethics and Public Policy Committee for the International Society of Nurses in Genetics. Additionally, she supports broader professional initiatives, including the Nursing Genomics Education Network. A dream of hers has been to spur UF's development of a post-APRN precision health fellowship program to support translational science efforts. Alexis is excited to join the PGENeS research lab as a postdoctoral associate in UF's Department of Psychiatry. She looks forward to learning all that she can from her new colleagues. She is especially eager to apply her multidisciplinary, nurse scientist background to help advance understanding of mental health conditions and to expand novel approaches to patient care.
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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.
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!
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September 11 | Grand Rounds
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September 16 | Faculty Resource Fair
Connect with valuable campus resources! Meet representatives from key university offices, discover programs and services available to support you at UF, ask questions and make connections. Explore resources for professional development, research, wellness, technology and employee benefits all designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally.
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September 18 | Grand Rounds
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September 19 | FRC Run 4 Recovery
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The UF Health Florida Recovery Center invites you to our 7th annual 5K to celebrate recovery and to help break the stigma against substance use disorders. Come run or cheer on the sidelines to help us raise awareness as a community! Registration button below!
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September 21-25 | COM Week
The third annual College of Medicine Week celebrates the incredible people and achievements of our college across the Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses.
Events for faculty, staff, students and trainees will be occurring all week. We encourage you to join in the festivities!
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September 25 | Grand Rounds
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October 18 | Fall Social
The Department of Psychiatry will be holding our Fall Social on October 18th (12pm-3pm) at the UF Reitz Union Game Room.
Bring your families and join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and festivities.
More details to follow!
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October 26 | Celebration of Life
Please save the date for a Celebration of Life Honoring Scott Teitelbaum, MD
October 26, 2026
11:30am - 1:30pm
UF Health Florida Recovery Center
4305 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL
Please use this link if you would like to submit a video by Oct. 5th
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October 26 | Celebration of Life
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Please save the date for a Celebration of Life Honoring Scott Teitelbaum, MD
October 26, 2026
11:30am - 1:30pm
UF Health Florida Recovery Center
4305 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL
More details to come.
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UF CARD Update
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Behavior Strategies That Work Series September 2 & 16, October 7 & 21, November 4 & 18, 2026; 12:00PM – 1:00PM | Online Building Strong Readers Together: Supporting Reading Comprehension in Children with ASD (Preschool–Elementary) September 15, 2026; 5:00PM – 6:00PM | Online The UCLA PEERS® Curriculum for School-Based Professionals September 21, 2026; 4:00PM – 5:30PM | Online Book Study: A Little Less Broken: How an Autism Diagnosis Finally Made Me Whole December 2,9, & 16, 2026; 6:00PM – 7:30PM | Online Save the Dates 10/20/26 | All About the UNF USoar Program 10/27/26 | Count On It! Strategies to Teach Math Skills to Students with ASD 11/05/26 | Executive Function in Real Life Supporting Regulation, Relationships, and Flexibility in Autistic Kids Begins (3 sessions: 11/5, 12, & 19) 11/08/26 | Celebrating Autism in the Arts (Call for Artists & Performers is open!) Find us at these community events! 11/14/26 | Just Between Friends’ Safe KIDS Day (Alachua) 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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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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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.
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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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