Dear Colleagues:
Happy Spring to all. This has been a very busy time. What’s
new?
I am pleased that Dr. Robert Schneider is our new Chief of
the Mental Health Service at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans
Administration Medical Center. As you know, Bob has a distinguished
career as an educator and has shown outstanding leadership
qualities. He is well-known nationally for his work integrating
Psychiatry with Primary Care Medicine. He will be pursuing
this work at the V.A., where there is a deep commitment to
expanding this model.
Bob is senior author on the textbook Psychiatry in Primary
Care, co-authored with Dr. James Levenson and published by
the American College of Physicians. Bob has done a great job
in getting new positions and space to expand our programs.
We have a new Fellowship program coming on-line for Psychiatrists
and Psychologists in the area of chronic mental illnesses.
We are delighted to be able to collaborate with such a strong
ally and know we will work together to strengthen teaching,
research and clinical care. Congratulations to Dr. Schneider
and his family. Congratulations to the V.A. and to us for
a successful recruitment.
Our Department Development Officer, Rupa Murthy and I have
been working hard to develop community partnerships to sustain
and advance creative programming in Psychiatry. We have been
having “Fireside Chats” with community leaders
interested in helping us.
The big news in the Department is that our Human-Animal Interaction
Program, headed by Dr. Sandra Barker, has received a $1.4
million dollar endowment made available through the generosity
of Mr. William Balaban, who had a deep commitment to this
area. It was good that Bill was able to experience the work
of our Center before his recent death.
It is especially sad to note the passing of Dr. Phil Collins,
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. Phil’s association
with our department goes back to the 1960’s. He recently
Attended on the Substance Abuse Consult Service and served
as Psychiatric Consultant to VCU Student Counseling Center.
Phil was well known for his good sense of humor, his caring
for his patients and his concern for and excellent education
of trainees. I have a personal sense of sadness as he served
well as my Chief Resident many years ago.
My special congratulations go to our faculty and trainees
for excellent recruitment of a wonderful PGY-I residency class
and superb psychology trainees.
Joel J. Silverman, MD
Professor & Chairman
Please CLICK
HERE for the current Chairman's Letter.
ARCHIVES
June,
2008
Fall, 2008
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