Dear Colleagues,
As the search and selection process has concluded for the three Division Head positions for each of the restructured Divisions in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, we are delighted to announce the following appointments:
- Dr. Christian G. Schütz, Division Head for Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders: Dr. Schütz is a Professor (Partner) in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, as well as a researcher at UBC CHÉOS, BCMHSUS, VCHRI, and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. He leads the UBC B.R.A.I.N Lab, where his research team investigates the psycho-neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance use and concurrent mental disorders, as well as the development of novel clinical interventions. Dr. Schütz also serves as the Research Lead and Medical Manager at Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, and has contributed to various teams and working groups in the development of practice guidelines to address the public health crisis arising from substance misuse in BC and across Canada.
- Dr. Randall F. White, Division Head for Adult Psychiatry & Mental Health Services: Dr. White is a Clinical Professor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, and also serves as Medical Director for Vancouver Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services, and Clinical Director for the BC Psychosis Program at UBC Hospital. He has co-led implementation of an evidence-based pathway for treatment optimization of psychosis in Vancouver mental health programs. In addition to his medical leadership roles, he contributes significantly to resident and medical student supervision each year, has developed CME for UBC CPD and Medscape.com, and serves as co-chair for the Annual Pacific Psychopharmacology Conference. Dr. White has received a VCH medical staff award for his work with advocacy organizations for people affected by severe mental illness.
- Dr. Timothy Murphy, Division Head for Neuroscience & Translational Psychiatry: Dr. Murphy is a Professor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry and a foundational scientist whose research team is investigating cortical circuit-level changes in mouse models of mood disorders and also how mouse cortex adapts after stroke and the resultant remapping of brain function from damaged to surviving areas. He also leads collaborative efforts within UBC’s Dynamic Brain Circuits in Health and Disease Cluster, which involves a network of more than 40 investigators using complementary methods to address questions concerning brain circuit structure and function in health and disease. Dr. Murphy continues to supervise numerous graduate students, and is engaged in networking activities, such as co-leading Databinge, across the Department, DMCBH, and the broader neuroscience community.
In their new leadership roles, Dr. Schütz, Dr. White and Dr. Murphy will each be responsible for providing direction and oversight to their respective Divisions, and working collaboratively with their members to develop goals and implement long-range plans in order to support the strategic objectives of the Division, the Department and the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Their specific responsibilities will include supporting their Divisions’ education goals to ensure standards and objectives are being met in UGE and PGE education, as well as working with the UBC Psychiatry CPD Director to support Division members in Continuing Professional Education opportunities. With regard to research, the new Division Heads will each develop a divisional research plan and facilitate efforts to promote research activities and opportunities for Division members. As well, they will participate on several departmental committees, support Division members in reappointment and promotion processes, galvanize and foster collaboration amongst members, and serve as a liaison between the Division and affiliated hospitals and research centres. Additionally, as the Department continues its divisional and program restructure process, the new Division Heads will be instrumental in developing refreshed criteria for all programs to be organized and administered under each Division.
Please join us in congratulating and extending a warm welcome to our new Division Heads, each of whom has been appointed for a three-year term effective June 1, 2023. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Schütz, Dr. White and Dr. Murphy as they join our Departmental and Divisional leadership teams, and supporting them as they move into their respective new roles.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham, Professor and Head, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Dr. Raymond W. Lam, Professor and Associate Head, UBC Department of Psychiatry
The UBC Department of Psychiatry Administration Office respectfully acknowledges the land on which we live, work and play is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh).