Drexel University College of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry is committed to developing and implementing programs that are consistent with the College's mission to innovate in education, research, and in the delivery of compassionate care. Priorities have been delineated, with teaching programs being paramount. High-quality clinical care and increased research funding have a high priority, as do service and consultation to the public sector.
These are challenging and exciting times for the field of psychiatry. The Department of Psychiatry embraces change as part of life in our complex health care system. Our department closely collaborates with its clinical partners to ensure that our responsibilities for our academic missions are fulfilled, while supporting the missions and goals of our affiliated clinical partners.
Training medical students and psychiatric residents is central to our mission. Drexel University College of Medicine is a leader nationally in medical education and the College is among the top medical schools in the country for educating medical students who choose to specialize in psychiatry.
Divisions, Centers & Programs
Research
The field of psychiatry is extremely exciting, with research findings that are elucidating the underlying molecular and genetic foundations of psychiatric illness. Treatments are emerging that integrate the latest findings from psychopharmacological studies with those psychosocial interventions that have demonstrated efficacy. Such multimodal treatment strategies are effective in not only reducing psychiatric symptoms, but in promoting wellness.
The Department of Psychiatry, through its educational programs and its affiliated clinical programs, seeks to reduce the gap between emerging research and practice. The support of evidence-based care and the development of new delivery systems that provide state-of-the-art care to patients and their families are central to our clinical mission.
Our faculty have developed broad and productive collaborations with the researchers from Drexel University as well as from other institutions. Such collaboration has led to publication in prestigious journals and grant awards. Our recent research includes:
- the treatment of substance use disorders
- autism and autism spectrum disorders
- developmental studies regarding the impact of acute and chronic stressors in childhood
- child maltreatment and other stressors contributing to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders of childhood
- treatment-resistant depression
- neuropsychological impact of pediatric genetic disorders
- innovative psychotherapy education and supervision projects
- impact of medical cannabis on patients living with HIV, PTSD and chronic pain
News and Announcements
“Parents’ screen time impacts child’s mental health, shock new study finds”
Research from Karen Heffler, MD, an associate professor, and David Bennett, PhD, a professor, both in the College of Medicine, that linked screen time in toddlers with later development of atypical sensory behaviors, was mentioned in a Sept. 17 New York Post story about new research that shows parents’ screen time can impact the child’s mental health.
“Children under two should not be exposed to TV or screen time”
Research from Karen Heffler, MD, an associate professor, and David Bennett, PhD, a professor, both in the College of Medicine, that linked screen time in toddlers with later development of atypical sensory behaviors, was mentioned in articles by Earth.com and by Parent Herald.
Philadelphia magazine published its annual list of the region's “Top Doctors.” The list of physicians, who were chosen by their peers, can be found in the May 2024 issue. Congratulations to the following Drexel University College of Medicine faculty members who were named this year. Read more.
Shi Receives New Investigator Award
Denia Cai Shi, PhD, received the prestigious New Investigator Award from the International Society of CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM). Her poster won one of only three awards for Distinguished Poster at ISCTM Annual Conference. Dr. Denia Cai Shi is a fellow in the Janssen-Drexel Fellowship in Psychiatric Drug Development and an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry. Congratulations to her mentors Carla Canuso, MD, vice president, Neuroscience Clinical Development at Janssen, and David Bennett, PhD, professor of psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine.
Dr. Petros Levounis at Special Grand Rounds
Dr. Petros Levounis presents at grand rounds.
On December 13, 2023, Department of Psychiatry hosted a special grand rounds in the new Health Science Building. Our guest speaker was Dr. Petros Levounis, Professor of Psychiatry, Chair of Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University Medical College. He also serves as President of American Psychiatric Association. The grand rounds lecture topic was "New Neurobiology of Addiction."
2023 Faculty LAUNCH
Two faculty members in the department successfully completed a year-long leadership development program, LAUNCH, at Drexel University College of Medicine. Congratulations to Dr. Zhabiz Kazeminezhad, assistant professor of psychiatry at Phoenixville Hospital, Tower Health and Dr. Eduardo Espiridion, associate professor of psychiatry, at Reading Hospital, Tower Health.
2023 Faculty Awards
Wei Du, MD, professor and chair, was the recipent of the 2023 June Klinghoffer Clinical Educator Award. This lifetime achievement award recognizes a faculty member at the rank of professor who has devoted their career to promoting excellence in clinical skills education and knowledge, serving as an innovative educator, a leader and a role model for students, residents and faculty colleagues.
In the Media
September 2, 2024: Research from Karen Heffler, MD, an associate professor, and David Bennett, PhD, a professor, both in the College of Medicine, that linked screen time in toddlers with later development of atypical sensory behaviors, was mentioned in a New York Post article.
July 29, 2024: Barbara Schindler, MD, a professor and medical director of The Caring Together program at the College of Medicine, was interviewed in a CBS Evening News segment about a camp for kids whose parents are facing addiction.
July 15, 2024: Research from Karen Heffler, MD, an associate professor, and David Bennett, PhD, a professor, both in the College of Medicine, was mentioned in a New York Post article about new data about screen time affecting children’s behavior.
June 24, 2024: Barbara Schindler, MD, a professor in the College of Medicine, was quoted in an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer about Mayor Cherelle Parker’s plans to build a $100 million addiction treatment center and shelter near the city’s jail complex on State Road.
June 12, 2024: Karen Heffler, MD, an associate professor in the College of Medicine, was featured in a SiriusXM "Doctor Radio’" segment about television exposure and child development.
See all College of Medicine faculty in the media
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