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MBI Researcher Highlight: Dr. Amanda Elton
Amanda Elton, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine. Her research uses neuroimaging and behavioral tests to better understand brain differences and risk factors in psychiatric disorders and to explore why some people may be more vulnerable to addiction, while others are more resilient.
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Hannah Hatcher among COM staff honored with Superior Accomplishment Awards
Congratulations Hannah Hatcher! Our UF Superior Accomplishment Award Winner! As an administrative support superstar for the Addiction Medicine Division, Hannah’s positivity, dedication, and unwavering support make a difference every day. Please join us in congratulating Hannah on this well-earned honor!
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Is Brain Rot Real? And What To Do About It, According To Brain Experts
Is your brain turning to mush from too much screen time? The internet’s favorite phrase, “brain rot,” may be more than just a meme. In this Women’s Health article, Dr. Amanda Elton, weighs in on what’s really happening in the brain when we overconsume digital content—and how we can restore mental balance.
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Drs. Nolasco and Silva inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha
Chief Psychiatry Residents Dr. Diego Nolasco and Dr. Ana Silva were among the forty-five University of Florida College of Medicine’s elite students, residents and faculty that were elected for lifelong membership into a prestigious national organization, the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, in an annual banquet March 20.
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“California Sober” or Abstinence
This article explores the risks and realities of harm reduction versus abstinence-based treatment, with insights from Dr. Scott Teitelbaum, medical director of UF Health FRC. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and thousands of patients treated, Dr. Teitelbaum shares why he believes true recovery begins with abstinence.
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Psychology Trainees of the Month
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Congratulations to our Psychology Trainees of the Month for April: Dr. Naomi Ruffin and Ms. Audrey Milam.
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Snapshot Spotlight
This month’s Snapshot Spotlight features our department’s national (and local) presence at professional conferences. From talks and posters on physician health and neuropsychological evaluations to panel discussions on leadership and healthcare integration, our faculty and trainees continue to share their expertise and collaborate across the country from Seattle to Dallas and right here at home!
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Dr. Ana Turner gave her TEDxUF talk on April 12th at the University Auditorium. She spoke about how her late mentor, Dr. Richard C. Christensen, inspired her street psychiatry work with the Sulzbacher Center in Jacksonville, providing care to people experiencing homelessness.
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Drs. Amanda Janner and Ben Phalin were joined by Dr. Betsy Williams, Clinical Director at the Professional Renewal Center® and Director of Education at Wales Behavioral Assessment, for a presentation at the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) conference. Together, they spoke on “Difficult Cases: The Use of Neuropsychological Evaluation as a Tool in Making Return-to-Work Recommendations for Physicians.” Cristiana Araujo, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Lisa Merlo, also participated in the conference. She gave a talk and presented posters on her research, including “Characterization of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Experiences and Outcomes Among Physicians and Pharmacists Monitored by the Florida PHP.”
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Dr. Kerri Peters participated in two panel discussions at the 2025 Association for Professional Behavior Analysts Annual Conference in Dallas, TX, presenting on healthcare integration and ethical considerations in clinical research.
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Kudos!
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"Britany has been instrumental in helping us navigate complex social situations for multiple families. In particular, she has gone above and beyond with my high-risk patient with severe substance use disorder who requires a higher level of care. Due to repeated Baker Acts, he frequently misses appointments, making coordination extremely challenging. Britany has proactively facilitated communication between me, recovery programs, and the patient’s mother to find solutions—often anticipating needs before I even reach out to her! Another case comes to mind where the patient made an impulsive school shooting threat, so we needed to connect him with resources and safety planning ASAP, and she jumped right in and made it happen. He is now in therapy even with his federal insurance and has other resources at his disposal as well. Britany’s efforts have been invaluable, and quite frankly, I wish we had more of her. She is doing a tremendous amount of the heavy lifting to support our clinic and ensure our patients receive the care they need!"
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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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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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All About the Smart Driver Program
Monday, May 12, 2025; 5:00 - 6:00PM | ONLINE What is Disability Rights Florida?
Thursday, May 22, 2025; 7:00 - 8:00PM | ONLINE Addressing Picky Eating
Thursday, June 5, 2025; 4:30 - 6:00PM | ONLINE Celebrating Autism in the Arts: Call for Artists & Performers
Saturday, June 21, 2025; 2:00 -5:00PM | GAINESVILLE Employment Boot Camp
Monday - Thursday, June 23 - 26, 2025; 9AM – 4PM | GAINESVILLE Understanding Sleep Challenges
Tuesday, July 8, 2025; 4:30 - 6:00PM | ONLINE Wednesday - Friday, July 9 - 11, 2025; 9:00AM - 4:00PM | GAINESVILLE Introductory Training on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
Wednesday - Friday, July 9 - 11, 2025; 9:00AM - 4:00PM | GAINESVILLE Tackling Toilet Training
Wednesdays, July 23, July 30, August 6, and August 13, 2025; 4:00 – 5:15pm | ONLINE Navigating Transitions and Redefining Independence
Thursday, August 14, 2025; 6:30 – 8:00pm | ONLINE Parent/Caregiver Lunch and Learn Series
Third Friday of every month; 12:00 - 1:00PM | ONLINE Find us at these community events! 05/16/25 Just Between Friends’ Safe KIDS Day (Alachua) 07/23/25 Alachua County/City of Gainesville's 2025 Disability Awareness Expo (Gainesville)
07/26/25 Movin’ & Groovin’ Back-to-School Event (Lake City) 08/09/25 Alachua County Library District-Millhopper Branch’s Homeschool Resource Fair (Gainesville) 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 registration page or have them call 352-265-2230.
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May 2 | Grand Rounds
Special Event: First Annual Student Mental Health Grand RoundsMeera Menon
Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
The Ohio State University
Wexner Medical Center Time: 12 – 1 p.m. This presentation will be given in-person at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901, with watch parties held at the McKnight Brain Institute, Room L4-101, and AOPC, Room 3242. Attend via Livestream or Zoom.
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May 7 | Grand Rounds
Enhancing Maternal Mental Wellness: The Protective Power of Cultural Postpartum PracticesLearning Objectives:
• Understand the role of cultural postpartum practices in promoting maternal mental wellness throughout the birthing continuum.
• Identify barriers to implementing culturally informed practices in maternal mental healthcare settings.
• Analyze the impact of systemic factors on maternal mental health outcomes and the importance of culturally sustaining approaches in addressing these challenges.
• Explore tools and resources for developing a culturally tailored intervention framework to support postpartum patients from underserved backgrounds, such as the Cultural Formulation Interview.
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May 9 | Grand Rounds
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Ludmila Barbosa de Faria
Associate Professor, Psychiatry Residency Training Director, & ACGME Director
Dept. of Psychiatry Time: 12 – 1 p.m. This presentation will be given in-person at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901, with watch parties held at the McKnight Brain Institute, Room L4-101, and AOPC, Room 3242. Attend via Livestream or Zoom.
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May 16 | Grand Rounds
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John Williamson
Associate Professor
Dept. of Psychiatry Time: 12 – 1 p.m. This presentation will be given in-person at the McKnight Brain Institute, Room L4-101, with watch parties held at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901, and AOPC, Room 3242. Attend via Livestream or Zoom.
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May 23 | Grand Rounds
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Michael Dallolio & James McElmurray
Dept. of Psychiatry Date: May 23, 2025 Time: 12 – 1 p.m. This presentation will be given in-person at the UF Psychiatric Hospital, Room 1901, with watch parties held at the McKnight Brain Institute, Room L4-101, and AOPC, Room 3242. Attend via Livestream or Zoom.
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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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