Communications Bulletin

Mentorship has provided a vital role in the development of the UBC Department of Psychiatry’s residents. Our Postgraduate Education Program is continuously grateful for the faculty who have provided mentorship to their trainees, and we are always looking for more people who are interested in contributing to this process.

Dear Department members, We are delighted to share that, following careful review and deliberation by an external Scientific Committee comprised of members outside of UBC and Canada, the selection process for the 2025/2026 Stimulus Grants Initiative has been completed. Two innovative projects have been recommended for funding by the Committee in the Junior Academic and…

The Department of Psychiatry is seeking faculty interested in participating in the 7th annual Psychiatry Summer Immersion Program will take place June 8 to 9, 2026. The two-day program provides an opportunity for 1st Year medical students to explore the field of psychiatry.

The BC IMG Clinical Assessment program is looking for residents and faculty to write MMI scenarios for the Yearly MMI exam held in the late fall.

Set against a stunning Prairie landscape, this month’s film follows Anders, a young Cree boy with Autism, as he participates in a sweat lodge ceremony and learns to hunt—cultural practices rooted in the Cree language that make clear how spiritual connection is as important as medical treatment.

Congratulations to UBC Department of Psychiatry Residents, Dr. Vivian Tsang, awarded an American Society of Addiction Medicine 2026 Ruth Fox Scholarship, and Dr. Quinten Clarke, winner of a 2026 Learner Changemaker Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada.

As you know, technology has progressed rapidly across multiple domains these last few years. In this spirit, we invite all UBC Department of Psychiatry members in December to complete the survey: AI at UBC Department of Psychiatry 2026: Setting Our Direction Together.

Department Head Dr. Lakshmi Yatham invites you to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Annual General Meeting on Thursday February 19, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.

Congratulations to Dr. Adele Diamond who is among three UBC neuroscience experts appointed to the Order of Canada, announced on December 31, 2025.

Presented by The Cinematheque and the Institute of Mental Health, UBC Department of Psychiatry, this month’s film, directed by Reid Davenport, follows the story of disability rights advocate Elizabeth Bouvia, who made headlines in 1980s America when she sought the right to die.

Dear colleagues, As we close out 2025, I want to express my sincere thanks to each of you for your contributions and commitment throughout the year. As a department, we have much to celebrate. The targets outlined in our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan guided us through half a decade of growth. As we prepare to refresh…

The deadline to submit your Online Clinical Faculty Annual Report Form for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 is December 31, 2025. Please report your teaching activities for the period using the enclosed link

Further to our recent announcement of the appointment of Dr. Kenneth Heng as Program Director PGE, the Department of Psychiatry now invites expressions of interest from faculty members to fill the position of Associate Program Director, Vancouver Track.

The UBC Department of Psychiatry celebrated the holiday season with our annual year-end Festive Celebration on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. With an outstanding turnout, it was wonderful to see so many faculty, staff, students, trainees and residents to gather together for a enjoyable and relaxing event. A heartfelt thank you to all who made the…

As a department, we want to actively support how AI is introduced and used in our clinical, research, and educational work. This includes selecting the right tools, advising health authorities, developing training programs, and building collaborations for innovative research. Please take a few moments to share your perspective.

The Department of Psychiatry’s EDIA Committee is seeking expressions of interest for a new Graduate Student Representative.

Congratulations to UBC Department of Psychiatry Professor, Dr. Tim Murphy who is among eleven Faculty of Medicine researchers to receive funding through UBC’s inaugural AI and Health Network Fellows Program. Launched earlier this year with support from a transformative $22.5 million gift from the Gordon B. Shrum Charitable Fund to the UBC Faculty of Medicine,…

Congratulations to Department of Psychiatry Professor and DMCBH Co-Director, Dr. Lynn Raymond, who has been recognized with a Huntington Society of Canada (HSC) 2025 Navigator Award! HSC’s Navigator Research Program is designed to provide funding for Canadian scientific research projects of direct and immediate relevance to Huntington disease. Dr. Raymond is an internationally renowned neuroscientist…

The Postgraduate Education Leadership team has shared a list of frequently asked questions to help clinical faculty in guiding residents in completing Mental Health Act forms

Join us in congratulating Department of Psychiatry Professor, Dr. Terrance Snutch, on receiving a 2025 Distinguished University Scholar award. The Distinguished University Scholar program recognizes members of UBC Faculty who have distinguished themselves as exceptional scholars. Over more than three decades at UBC, Dr. Snutch has established himself as a world-leading expert in molecular neurobiology.…

This month’s film, directed by Abdenour Zahzah, depicts a young Frantz Fanon, a trained psychiatrist, and follows his appointment as head physician at the Blida-Joinville Hospital in Algeria where he witnessed racism and cruelty towards patients.

After providing exceptional leadership in his role as the Program Director for the Postgraduate Psychiatry Specialty Program, Dr. Irfan Khanbhai is stepping down to accept the role of Faculty Lead, Accreditation in the PGME Dean’s Office. To fill the vacant position, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kenneth Heng to the role…

We are pleased to share the news that Associate Professor, Dr. Daniel Vigo, was reappointed to the position of BC’s Chief Scientific Advisor for Psychiatry, Toxic Drugs & Concurrent Disorder to Premier Eby for a second term. Within the role, he is working to enhance collaboration with several health authorities, Indigenous partners and individuals with…

This fall, the Department upgraded Room 2N A/B on the 2nd floor of Detwiller Pavilion to enhance its functionality. The upgrades include a new touch-down lounge for Department members to use as an informal space to sit and gather on a casual basis. The other half of Room 2N A/B has been repurposed into a…

Join the upcoming presentation by a recruitment candidate for the academic position at the Island Medical Program (IMP) site at Royal Jubilee Hospital. The Department is currently recruiting for a faculty position to be based at the. Shortlisted candidate, Dr. Aviva Olsavsky, will present on Maternal Cannabis Use, Early Adversity, and Impact on Mother-Infant Relationships:…

Join us in congratulating UBC Department of Psychiatry residents, Drs. Shikha Walia and Austin Lam, who have been awarded the 2025 Senior Resident and Junior Resident Advocacy Awards, respectively, by the BC Psychiatric Association.

Dear Department members, We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Stephanie Ng (She/Her/Hers) as interim Education Coordinator with the Department of Psychiatry Education Team. She will be supporting our Psychiatry Subspecialty portfolio while Ms. Kyna Ng is on maternity leave from December 2025 to January 2027. Stephanie will provide coordination and administrative support…

All Department members across the province are invited to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. The next session will be held Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The session, Subjective Cognition and Metacognition in Bipolar Disorder, is presented by Dr. Ivan Torres, Clinical Professor with the UBC Department of Psychiatry.

For faculty who have received 4 or more resident feedback forms in academic year 2024-2025, the annual Clinical Teaching Summary Report is now available for review.

The Department Awards & Recognition Committee extends a department-wide call for self-nominations or nominations of your fellow colleagues who are deserving of recognition in their respective fields.

The Department is currently recruiting for a faculty position for the Royal Columbian Hospital Professorship and a candidate has been shortlisted for the Assistant Professor Rank. The co-Chairs of the Search Committee invite faculty to attend the presentation and provide your input

As part of our action plan, to improve trust in reporting and to ensure awareness and accessibility of resources, we are offering a dedicated learner-focused Mistreatment Reporting Workshop on Thursday, December 11th.

Applications are now open for the UBC Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Marshall Fellows Program in Mental Health for 2026-2027. The Marshall Fellows Program in Mental Health was established in 2019 by the IMH to support the training of young investigators in translational research in order to create research capacity in mental health.

The Research Trainee program supports early career researchers and provides funding to postdoctoral and health professional researchers in training, enabling them to pursue high-quality, innovative research as they build their careers here in BC.

Directed by Tumpal Tampubolon, the film follows twenty-year-old Johan (Yusuf Mahardika) and his mother (Marissa Anita), living a peculiarly isolated life caring for a derelict crocodile park in the lush terrain of rural West Java.

The Division of Adult Psychiatry and Mental Health Services is seeking Clinical Faculty to join them in forming an Emergency Psychiatry Program.

UBC Cybersecurity is urgently raising awareness of a university payroll scam targeting UBC. These emails impersonate HR, Finance, or senior administrators, referencing pay, bonuses, or leave approvals.

All Department members across the province are invited to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. The next session will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 8:30 am on Zoom. The session, Management and Treatment of Severe Eating Disorders in Adults in General Psychiatric Practice, is presented by Dr. Kalam Sutandar, Assistant Professor…

The Department Awards & Recognition Committee extends a department-wide call for self-nominations or nominations of your fellow colleagues who are deserving of recognition in their respective fields.

Please complete the updated 2025 Employment Equity Census. It takes only 3 minutes and is confidential.

The NINET Laboratory and UBC Department of Psychiatry are pleased to announce a three-day accredited course providing psychiatrists with practical and theoretical training in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

An external review of the UBC Department of Psychiatry will be conducted in January 2026. This review provides an opportunity for the unit to reflect on its programs and operations. Input from the unit’s faculty, staff, and learners is highly valued in this process. We invite you to participate in the review by providing your…

Dear Department Members, On behalf of the UBC Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham cordially invites you to our year-end Festive Celebration on Tuesday, December 2nd! The event will take place at The Arbutus Club and includes an assortment of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres to enjoy. All Department members, including faculty, staff, fellows,…

Thank you to all those who continue to support the Pacific Psychopharmacology Conference year after year.

Fremont, California, known for having the largest Afghan diaspora in the US, is home to Donya (Anaita Wali Zada), a young woman and former translator for the U.S. Army. Every morning she commutes to San Francisco’s Chinatown where she works at a fortune cookie factory. Despite friendly coworkers and an unusually supportive boss, her discontent…

UBC Department of Psychiatry Clinical Assistant Professor, Dr. Carole Richford, has been recognized with a Canadian Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CACLP) Distinguished Contribution to CL Psychiatry in Canada Award. The award is presented annually to a CACLP member who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry in Canada.

A warm welcome on the appointment of Dr. John-Jose Nunez to the UBC Department of Psychiatry at the rank of Assistant Professor (Partner). Dr. Nunez is a psychiatrist and clinical researcher whose work bridges psychiatry and computer science, with a focus on using computational approaches including artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing to…

All Department members across the province are invited to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. The next session will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:30 am on Zoom. The session, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder across the Lifespan: The Basics and Beyond in 2025, is presented by Dr. Evelyn Stewart, Professor with the UBC…

The BC Psychiatric Association’s (BCPA) annual conference will be taking place again this November. Don’t miss this year’s line-up of world-class speakers who will discuss topics including adult ADHD, PTSD, concurrent disorders and the Mental Health Act, Economics update, and more.

Substance Use Disorders—whether alone or alongside other mental health conditions—affect the majority of psychiatric patients. Yet, this group has historically received less attention in both treatment and research. Our aim is to build a strong network of professionals whose work intersects with substance use and concurrent disorders.

The UBC Department of Psychiatry Residency Outreach Program is looking to connect wit psychiatrists practicing in RSA-designated rural communities across BC interested in supervising psychiatry residents for outreach placements.

We are inviting Department members to attend our online mistreatment reporting workshops to help clarify the different reporting pathways available, as well as where, how, and to whom to report, so that everyone in our community feels informed and empowered.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Jordan Cohen, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Cohen joined the Department in 2016, and in 2022 was appointed Associate Head PGE and CPD. He was a valued colleague, educator, and leader and will be remembered with…

The UBC Department of Psychiatry is delighted to welcome Ms. Aseil Eljallad who has joined the Administration Team as Senior Program Assistant. She will work with the Competence by Design (CBD) faculty lead to plan and organize CBD workshops, presentations and events for the Department PGME Programs.

Consider nominating your colleagues for the 2026 SSHRC Impact Awards. These awards recognize outstanding researchers and celebrate their research achievements, research training, knowledge mobilization and outreach activities.

Up to $50,000 in seed funding is available through the Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant program to researchers from UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan to address priority research questions identified by the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Rafizadeh, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department, has received the award for his project, Addressing the Crisis: Developing Evidence-Based Treatment for Individuals with Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders and Psychosis in BC.

CPA members with an interest in the creative side of psychiatry are invited to join the new approved CPA Section on Arts and Psychiatry

The Faculty of Medicine is launching an internal selection process to nominate two faculty members for the 2025 UBC Killam Accelerator Research Fellowship (KARF) competition. These annual fellowships are intended to support exceptional early career researchers across all disciplines who have the potential for significant impact in their field of scholarship and are ready to…

In preparation for the anticipated Innovation Fund 2027 competition, UBC has published their internal timeline for the 2027 Innovation Fund competition ahead of the CFI call for proposals.

Are you a clinician or researcher working with individuals with psychosis? Attend the monthly BC Psychosis and UBC Schizophrenia Program Educational Rounds, held the first Friday of the month. The rounds are a CPD accredited series focused on clinical issues and research findings.

The monthly BC Psychosis Program educational rounds are now the BC Psychosis Program and UBC Schizophrenia Program Educational Rounds’. Held the first Friday of the month, the rounds are April 4th are presented by Dr. Andrew Howard.

This month’s film, directed by Nathan Grossman documents ecological grief through the lens of seven climate scientists who sign up for a group therapy session. With humour, astute observation, and Socratic questioning, complicated feelings are unearthed as the group discloses their emotional selves.

All Department members across the province are invited to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. The next session will be held Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 8:30 am on Zoom.

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Sylvie Argouarch, Clinical Instructor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, on August 2, 2025, following a tragic accident in Victoria. She will be remembered as a thoughtful and inspirational colleague who provided care with empathy and determination while striving to…

We are starting to recruit examiners for our 2025-26 Mock OSCEs. The Mock OSCEs are an integral part of preparing our residents for their Royal College OSCE exams. We have finalized the dates for each of the mock exams and are asking faculty to submit their availability.

The International Medical Graduate BC (IMGBC) Program is inviting Clinical Faculty to apply as an Examiner for the 2025 IMG Clinical Assessment Program (CAP) Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).

Faculty are invited to teach the Year 2 Psychiatry Clinical Skills Sessions in MEDD 421 this fall.

Congratulations to UBC Department of Psychiatry members Dr. Cameron Anderson and Elsy Willis, who have won two of the three annual Canadian Organization of Undergraduate Psychiatric Educators (COUPE) awards. Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Cameron Anderson has been honoured with the 2025 COUPE Teacher Recognition Award. The award recognizes a non-academic track teacher who is actively…

The Department of Psychiatry EDIA Committee is seeking nominations for the Subspecialty Resident Representative position. To enrich the diversity of experience and perspectives on the committee, residents from the Child and Adolescent Subspecialty and the Geriatric Subspecialty Training Programs are especially encouraged to participate.

Join an informal Stimulus Grants Information Session, led by Dr. Sophia Frangou, on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 12:00 pm. The informal Zoom session will provide an overview of the application process, cover key steps and timelines and include an opportunity for questions in a non-recorded setting.

Register by Thursday, August 22! Held annually in September, the event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a complimentary lunch, live entertainment, information booths, and the camaraderie of your fellow UBC staff colleagues and faculty members. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Time: Location: Flagpole Plaza, 6300 Crescent Road We look forward to seeing…

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is pleased to announce the launch of the Reviewer in Training (RiT). The RiT program offers Early Career Researchers a learning opportunity to gain a better understanding of the elements of high-quality review and the peer review process through participation in the Project Grant competition.

The Online Clinical Faculty Annual Report Form for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 is now available. Please report your teaching activities for the period using the enclosed link

In 2023, the UBC Department of Psychiatry, in partnership with the UBC Institute of Mental Health (IMH), created a new academic faculty position in the area of Concurrent Disorders. Now that the search and selection process has been completed, we are delighted to announce that Dr. Pouya Azar is the successful candidate.

The Department of Psychiatry is calling for nominations/ self-nominations from clinical faculty members to fill vacancies within the Clinical Faculty Appointments, Reappointments, and Promotions Committee (CFARPC). Complete the nomination form by Friday, July 18, 2025.

The Department of Psychiatry celebrates the well-deserved recognition of our faculty members, Professor Dr. Lynn Raymond, recipient of an Overall Excellence — Senior Faculty award, and Associate Professor Dr. Daniel Vigo, recipient of the Service to the University and Community award.

Dr. Irfan Khanbhai will be stepping down as PGE Specialty Program Director. Over the last six years, Dr. Khanbhai has done a phenomenal job in this important role, and we will miss his outstanding leadership. He continues his ongoing appointments as Interim Associate Head, PGE & CPD and as a Clinical Associate Professor in the…

Faculty and staff subscribed to the Adobe Acrobat Pro tool, pleases be on the lookout for a renewal email and link.

The selection process for the IMH Marshall Fellows Program has completed and we are thrilled to congratulate the 2025/2026 awardees. Learn more about the fellows and their research…

The 2025 Faculty of Medicine Academic Gowns and Emeriti Recognition Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, with eight Clinical Professor promotions and three Emeritus conferrals recognized from our department.

The Clinical Faculty Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion Committee (CFARP) conducts two review cycles annually. Dr. Joseph Tham shares useful tips and eligibility and steps to apply.

Attn: A building power shutdown at the at the David Strangway Building and Michael Smith Laboratories for regulatory electrical maintenance work has been scheduled.

This summer, Room 2N A/B on the 2nd floor of Detwiller Pavilion will be upgraded to provide a new touch-down lounge and shared drop-in work area for Department members. Expected to be completed by the end of July, the space with offer new enhanced functionality and an informal gathering space.

This month’s film tells the story of a young woman named Cora who is straining to emotionally connect with those around her while experiencing debilitating and painful allergic reactions to food.

Department members across the province are invited to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. The next session, Magnetic Seizure Therapy: a Novel Neuromodulation Treatment for Difficult to Treat Schizophrenia, is presented by Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, Associate Professor and Director of Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory.

Congratulations to Department of Psychiatry members named recipients of this year’s Translation Research into Clinical Excellence in Psychiatry Settings (TRICEPS) Award and Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Building on invaluable input received, the Department is working to enhance the teaching experience for clinical faculty members by modifying or increasing our clinical educational support processes and systems. 

The UBC Department of Psychiatry is delighted to welcome Mr. Mauricio Bernardino to the Psychiatry Education Team. Mauricio will step into the role of Senior Program Assistant beginning May 14.

Attn: A building power shutdown at the at the David Strangway Building and Michael Smith Laboratories for regulatory electrical maintenance work has been scheduled.

Last year’s launch of our new, provincial Year 3 Academic Half Days was a huge success – thank you to all who supported these sessions and provided feedback! We are currently recruiting faculty and residents to help lead these small group teaching sessions for the upcoming academic year.

Teaching faculty are invited to apply to be a FLEX Advisor in the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program. Flexible Enhanced Learning (FLEX) provides undergraduate students with dedicated curricular time to explore individual scholarly interests and enhanced learning opportunities.

Residents and faculty are invited to join the Class of 2025 Psychiatry graduates in celebration on Friday, June 6, 2025

This month’s film is Adam Elliot’s Academy Award nominated tragicomedy Memoirs of a Snail. The animated feature recounts the misfortunes of a misfit named Grace who becomes obsessed with snails. After she is separated from her twin brother Gilbert, traumatic events and failed relationships compound and lead to a myriad of mental health conditions including…

The Department congratulates PGE Program Director and Interim Associate Head Dr. Irfan Khanbhai on receiving the 2025 PGME Program Director Award! Each year, the Faculty of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) program recognizes faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions to residency education. This award highlights Dr. Khanbhai’s exceptional leadership, dedication to program development, and…

Clinical Faculty of the UBC Department of Psychiatry are invited to the Annual Clinical Faculty Dinner, to be held on Thursday June 5, 2025 . The dinner will be an opportunity to recognize and show appreciation to all our clinical faculty members and their many valuable contributions to the Department.

Faculty and trainees are invited to attend the monthly BC Psychosis Program and UBC Schizophrenia Program Educational Rounds. The rounds, held the first Friday of the month, are a CPD accredited series focused on clinical issues and research findings which will be of interest to clinicians and researchers working with individuals with psychosis.

We are pleased to share that the two remaining positions in the Prince George track have been matched with great candidates and we extend them a warm welcome to the program.

All Department members across the province are invited to attend the UBC Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds. The next session, Management of Schizophrenia 2025, is presented by Dr. Christoph Correll, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, and Professor of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes…

Inviting self-nominations for the Necia Laura May Elvin Memorial Prize in Schizophrenia Research. The award will be presented to the successful applicant at the Annual Departmental Research Day on June 5th, 2025. This annual award recognizes a Doctoral trainee or Postdoctoral Fellow who has published an outstanding peer-reviewed paper relevant to schizophrenia