Category: Uncategorized

Clinical Therapists adjust amid COVID-19 pandemic

One year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has changed for the clinical therapists in the Department of Psychiatry. In March 2020, when patients were no longer allowed inside Poynter Hall, therapists adjusted and started setting up telehealth appointments. Debi Pittock, LICSW, Lead Social Worker for the department, said telehealth has gone […]

Mar 12, 2021

Dr. Ryan Edwards named Director of Child & Adolescent Division

Dr. Ryan Edwards, MD, has been named Director of the Child & Adolescent Division of the Department of Psychiatry after two years of leading the division on an interim basis. “It has been a great pleasure working with Dr. Edwards as Interim Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Division Director, and I look forward to our continued […]

Mar 12, 2021

Long-envisioned psychiatric emergency center now open at Nebraska Medical Center

By Julie AndersonOmaha World-Herald After opening quietly in early October, the new adult psychiatric emergency services unit at the Nebraska Medical Center saw nearly 400 patients during its first three months of operation. The long-envisioned center was intended to address a significant increase in recent years in the number of people coming to the hospital’s […]

Feb 8, 2021

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee celebrates leaders in psychiatry

The Department of Psychiatry DEI Committee will be marking this month by highlighting different people and statistics relevant to people of color in mental health. Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD (1917 -1983)  Mamie Phipps Clark was the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate degree in psychology from Columbia University. She previously earned both her bachelor’s […]

Feb 8, 2021

Residency Team prepares for its second match day

The work has been done and the list has been delivered. Now, the UNMC Department of Psychiatry Residency team waits to see who will match with their program. Match Day 2021 takes place on Friday, March 19th. The results will be released at 11AM Central. On that day, the residency program will more than double, […]

Feb 8, 2021

National Medical Association honors UNMC Addiction Psychiatrist

The American Medical Association Foundation (AMAF) has honored Alëna Balasanova, MD, FAPA, with the AMA Foundation Award for Health Education. According to a release announcing the awards, judges said Dr. Balasanova has demonstrated leadership in addiction medicine and psychiatry and has built a legacy at the University of Nebraska. While there, she has developed an […]

Feb 8, 2021

Spotlight: Mutum helps in various ways

Before joining the Department of Psychiatry in June 2013, Lea worked for 10 years at the Creighton Cardiac Unit as an Inpatient Rounds Coordinator. What are your roles/duties with the department? I have several roles in the department including administrative support for Dr. Ashish Sharma, Inpatient Division Director, Dr. Kenneth Zoucha, Addiction Division Director, and […]

Feb 8, 2021

New committee on diversity and inclusion appoints co-chairs

This fall, the Department of Psychiatry asked its members to join a committee tasked with enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the department.  It is open to all department members including faculty, staff, and trainees.  More than 35 members have participated in the meetings and the majority of the leadership team is in attendance. One […]

Dec 4, 2020

Dr. Sheehan acquires grant for Beyond the Blowback program

Meghan Sheehan, MD, received a $3,000 grant from the Nebraska Medicine Guild to develop her Beyond the Blowback program. The program will support victims of gang violence who have persistent psychiatric and medical needs. “I have a longstanding interest in this population, and have seen repeatedly that when we move past dismissing these points as […]

Dec 3, 2020

“UNMC Psychiatry thanks our veterans, active-duty military, and their family on Veterans Day! Thanks for your courage and sacrifice.”

On Veterans Day, the Department of Psychiatry is proud to highlight many current and former US military members who are making a difference.  “The UNMC Department of Psychiatry thanks its veterans, active-duty military and their families on Veterans Day,” said Department of Psychiatry Chair Dr. Howard Liu. “Thank you for your courage and sacrifice.” When […]

Nov 11, 2020