Interim chair's corner

By: Sara H. Gleason, MD

For me, July 1 marks the New Year.  In an academic medical center that’s when we welcome our new trainees and many of our new faculty.  We also acknowledge the departure of our graduates and retirees.

On July 1, 2022, I had the honor of serving on a welcome panel during the orientation of new UMMC faculty from all departments and schools. I had the pleasure of greeting our new Psychology interns during their campus tour.  And I had the privilege of staffing a case in the Emergency Department with one of our new Psychiatry interns on his very first day of being called “Doctor.”   

The Department has had its share of farewells over the past few months.  Notable was April 1 when our past chair Dr. Scott Rodgers became UMMC’s associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.  We are fortunate that Dr. Rodgers remains active in the Department and will serve as interim program director of the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, effective July 1.  

Elsewhere in this newsletter you are sure to see photos of hellos and goodbyes at graduation ceremonies, welcome parties, retirement dinners, conferences.   Many thanks and best wishes to those who have served at UMMC and are moving onto new opportunities. Welcome to those who are joining the Department for the first time or perhaps in a new role.

Happy New Year!

Sara H. Gleason, MD
Professor and Interim Chair