Mental Health & Substance Use

New in the Department

Phillip Wang, MD, DrPH, has been named Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wang joined CHA in 2019 as Chairman and Chief of Psychiatry, and is reponsible for all inpatient and outpatient care, including efforts to strengthen integration with primary care and other clinical services. He also oversees the Department's outstanding training and research programs.

We are excited to announce that Carl Fulwiler, MD, PhD, has been named Vice Chair of Research, Teaching & Academia for the Department of Psychiatry. This new role will provide leadership and oversight for all academic components of the Department, including research and education. Dr. Fulwiler will also provide leadership for the new Office of Research in Psychiatry (ORP) to significantly expand our research enterprise as a Learning Health System. 

CHA Psychiatry in the News

The shortage of acute care psychiatry beds: CHA was featured in a recent WBUR story on the crisis facing patients as they wait for mental health beds in Massachusetts. The story, entitled "No Vacancy: How A Shortage Of Mental Health Beds Keeps Kids Trapped Inside ERs" features a patient who was able to access care at CHA and includes an interview with child psychiatrist Linsey Koruthu, MD.

Value-based care and behavioral health: The journal Psychiatric Services recently published a column in its Economic Grand Rounds exploring the advantages of transitioning from a fee-for-service payment model to a value-based care model. Co-authors Colleen O’Brien, PsyD, clinical director of population health and behavioral health, Miriam Tepper, MD, medical director of the division of population behavioral health innovation, and resident physician Andrew Hyatt, MD, highlighted opportunities to integrate, expand and improve mental health and addictions care. The column aims to inspire other healthcare providers to prioritize behavioral health as a key component of system transformation.

Advice for youth mental health issues: CHA psychiatrist Meredith Gansner, MD, and department faculty Nancy Rappaport, MD, shared advice for struggling parents and children in a commentary posted on WBUR’s Cognoscenti which explored concerns about a rise in youth suicides.