Dr. David Cates has been named Vice Chair for Clinical Services within the Psychiatry Department. Along with his new role, Dr. Cates will continue to lead the Behavioral Health Division at Nebraska Medicine.
Nebraska Medicine Behavioral Health Director Dr. David Cates had added Vice Chair of Clinical Services for the Department of Psychiatry to his title. Dr. Cates succeeded Dr. Rebecca Wysoske, who had been the interim Vice Chair of Clinical Services.
“Dr. Cates is one of those rare leaders who combines a sophisticated ability to analyze the big picture with the heart to treat each team member as a valued contributor,” UNMC Department of Psychiatry Chair Dr. Howard Liu said. “He brings integrity, intellect and an incredible work ethic to every challenge and I have full confidence in his ability to thrive as our new vice chair clinical.”
Dr. Cates said, along with his new role, he will continue to serve as Nebraska Medicine Director of Behavioral Health, including providing patient care in the Psychology Department and Pain Management Program, and serving as Behavioral Health Consultant for the Biocontainment Unit and National Quarantine Center.
Dr. Cates said it is a privilege to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues at both institutions.
“Serving as both Director of Behavioral Health at Nebraska Medicine and Vice Chair for Clinical Services in Psychiatry provides an opportunity to align UNMC and Nebraska Medicine strategy and operations even more closely,” Dr. Cates said. “We all share the same goals, namely, improving wellness and reducing suffering by expanding access to quality behavioral health and addictions services, training and research. Behavioral Health is growing at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. This is an exciting time and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Dr. Cates took on the Nebraska Medicine Behavioral Health Director role in 2016. In that capacity, he worked closely with primary care leadership on the integration of behavioral health in primary care as part of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) initiative, led the development of Nebraska Medicine’s Intensive Outpatient Program for patients with psychiatric illness and substance use disorders, and collaborated with Psychiatry Department leadership and a private donor to develop the Behavioral Health Connection Program. Dr. Cates has also developed online training modules for NETEC (National Ebola Training and Education Center) on behavioral health considerations for patient and staff, and is a member of the workgroup developing inpatient suicide and violence screening/prevention protocols. Dr. Cates serves on the Nebraska Psychological Association Ethics Committee and is involved in a variety of community behavioral health initiatives, including the Douglas County Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan for Integration of Care.
Dr. Liu said Dr. Wysoske did an excellent job as Interim Vice Chair of Clinical Services during the year-long search for a permanent leader. “Dr. Wysoske is a dedicated member of our leadership team and will embrace a new role as Phase 3 Director in medical student education and continue as ambulatory medical director in psychiatry.”