Department of Psychiatry
"Learning to care for those in harms way."
Message from the
Psychiatry
Department Chair
Message from the
Psychiatry
Department Chair
Enhancing Connection and Opportunities in Our Community
Enhancing Connection and Opportunities in Our Community
October 2025
October 2025
Enhancing Connection and Opportunities in Our Community
Dear Colleagues,
As we transition into the new fiscal year (FY26), I want to take a moment to reflect on the immense progress and collective dedication that defined our efforts over the past year. Closing out the fiscal year is a critical juncture; it is a time for the crucial step of translating our year's achievements into strategic momentum for the year ahead. This year brought many significant accomplishments that will fuel our work in FY26.
I am also happy to highlight the success of our annual offsite, held on 19 September 2025, which brought together our entire faculty, staff, and leadership to focus on building community and collaboration. My sincere thanks to those who assisted in planning the event for their outstanding work in organizing such a productive and engaging day, and to every one of you for your enthusiastic participation and commitment to the Department's success. Your expertise and dedication are the foundation of our leadership in military psychiatry.
As always, I encourage you to stay engaged and continue bringing your invaluable perspectives to the important work we do for the military and global behavioral health communities.
In Service,
Vincent F. Capaldi, II, Sc.M., M.D., DFAPA, FACP, FAASM
COL, MC, USA
Professor and Chair
Department of Psychiatry
Department Announcements
Department Announcements
UNDERSTANDING THE EVOLVING ROLE OF AI IN MENTAL HEALTH
UNDERSTANDING THE EVOLVING ROLE OF AI IN MENTAL HEALTH
Wed., Nov. 5, 2025 --- 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Educational Objectives At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to: Describe the Basics of AI in Medicine: Define artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and large language models (LLMs) in clear, non-technical terms Recognize Current and Emerging Uses of AI in Psychiatry Around AI in Mental Health Including the Scope of Wellness vs Clinical Applications Identify Risks, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations Around AI in Mental Health and Understand How Benchmarking Can Guide Informed Decisions Around Use
Virtual Seminar 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
More Information and registration: Here
PSY Department Holds Annual Offsite
PSY Department Holds Annual Offsite
The Department of Psychiatry held its annual offsite, intended to build community within the Department and to highlight past accomplishments and future plans for the year ahead. Speakers included Drs. Stephen J. Cozza, James C. West, David M. Benedek, Kelly L. Cozza, and Vincent F. Capaldi, II.
Department highlights over the past year include:
493 total global faculty
95 billeted faculty and staff
63 published manuscripts
10 grants funded
10 awards received by faculty and staff
CSTS and PSY Team Attend ISTSS 41st Annual Meeting
CSTS and PSY Team Attend ISTSS 41st Annual Meeting
CSTS Scientists and support staff, including Drs. Joscelyn E. Fisher, Jing Wang, Catherine L. Dempsey, Patricia Spangler, Quinn M. Biggs, Alexander Rice, Mr. Luke Sumberg, Ms. Hanna Nettles, Ms. Sierra Martin, Ms. Miahjé Williams, and Ms. Alexandra Blumhorst, attended the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) 41st Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD. Eleven poster presentations were presented by CSTS staff at the conference on topics such as sleep disturbances, trauma, grief, bereavement, depression, suicidal ideation, coping strategies, and trauma-related nightmares.
The 2nd Annual Center for Suicide Research and Prevention Conference took place on September 9th, 2025, and included the Department of Psychiatry's Dr. Robert J. Ursano as a speaker. Recordings are now available on the Center for Suicide Research and Prevention's YouTube channel. For more information on speakers and panelists, visit the Center's website.
The Society of Uniformed Services Psychiatrists (SUSP) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) hosted a virtual seminar on 23 September 2025 featuring Dr. Anthony J. Becker titled "Beyond the Black Box: Demystifying Machine Learning for Psychiatry, From Core Concepts to Large Language Models." A recoding is now available on the SUSP Vimeo channel.
Col Kumer Attends Military-to-Military Engagement with Burundi
Col Kumer Attends Military-to-Military Engagement with Burundi
Col Kimberly D. Kumer, USAF, was invited by USAFRICOM for an initial collaboration between mental health and chaplaincy military-to-military engagement with the Armed Forces of the United States and the Republic of Burundi from 2-5 September 2025. Burundi has been identified for religious leader engagements, resiliency touchpoints with US Embassy personal, and a Behavioral Health initial assessment with the Burundi Armed Forces Team. The intent of the mission was to support US Security interests by building rapport, through knowledge exchange of shared experiences and values, and communicating the desire for peace and prosperity for all. Additionally, while in country, the team met with USEMB staff and families and the US Marine contingent assigned to the USEMB, to address the needs of DoD personnel. The team also included Sergeant Major Herinah Asaah, AFRICOM Religious Affairs Senior Enlisted Leader, and CH (LTC) Ludovic Foyou, Deputy Command Chaplain, Military District of Washington.
Dr. James C. West Presents on Disaster Psychiatry at Ground Rounds
Dr. James C. West Presents on Disaster Psychiatry at Ground Rounds
Dr. James "Curt" West presented grand rounds on 19 September 2025 entitled "Disaster and preventive psychiatry: What mental health providers should know," to the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry. He also conducted a learners' lunch with psychiatry residents and presented a shortened version of the Disaster Game simulation as a breakout session.
Dr. Sarah Carter Presents Webinar on Romantic Relationships and Suicide Prevention
Dr. Sarah Carter Presents Webinar on Romantic Relationships and Suicide Prevention
Dr. Sarah Carter presented a webinar entitled “Beyond the individual: Integrating romantic relationships into suicide prevention” to around 90 attendees from primarily Navy support offices (e.g., fleet and family, Integrated primary prevention) in a Department of the Navy Office of Force Resilience webinar series titled "Pathways to Prevention."
CSTS Child & Family Program Compiles Special Issue on Children and War
CSTS Child & Family Program Compiles Special Issue on Children and War
The special issue of Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes on Children and War includes eight invited manuscripts that illuminate the complex realities faced by children affected by war and violence. Topics range from the plight of refugee children, child soldiers, the impact of conflict-related sexual violence on mothers and their children, trauma associated with war-related bereavement, parenting during wartime, experiences unique to the children of military service members, as well as the challenges to adult professionals who witness the combat-related injury and death of children. In addition, four commentaries written by international experts on child trauma provide their unique reflections on these topics. Due to global displacement caused by war and political violence, some children and families affected by war ultimately resettle in our local communities and seek care in our healthcare systems. Therefore, it is crucial that all clinicians develop foundational knowledge regarding the unique needs and risks associated with childhood exposure to war.
Promotions and New Hires
Promotions and New Hires
Faculty Appointments & Promotions
Faculty Appointments & Promotions
Congratulations to the following faculty on their faculty appointments!
Dr. Nicole Hadler, Assistant Professor
Take the next step in your career as a USU faculty member! Learn more about the process for faculty promotion on our website. You can access the PSY faculty appointment form here.
New Hires
New Hires
Please welcome our new hires to CSTS and PSY!
Hishi Ulak, Research Assistant
Recent Publications
Recent Publications
AI tools in academia: Evaluating NotebookLM as a tool for conducting literature reviews
AI tools in academia: Evaluating NotebookLM as a tool for conducting literature reviews
In this new report, Drs. Rachel Shor and Elizabeth A. Greene discuss the proliferation of access to generative AI tools has the potential to radically alter the process of writing manuscripts. This report evaluates NotebookLM as a tool for conducting a literature review in an ethical and responsible manner.
Within day variation in posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters
Within day variation in posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters
In this publication, Dr. Quinn M. Biggs and colleagues discuss the four symptom clusters of PTSD: intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions/mood, and hyperarousal. Little is known about the extent to which the intensity of the symptom clusters vary from moment-to-moment. Using an ecological momentary assessment methodology, this study examined within day variation in the four PTSD symptom clusters.
A semi-automated and unbiased microglia morphology analysis following mild traumatic brain injury in rats
A semi-automated and unbiased microglia morphology analysis following mild traumatic brain injury in rats
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects over 40 million people every year. One of its features includes the activation of microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. Microglia assume different morphological states depending on their level of activation, such as surveilling ramified and activated hypertrophic, ameboid, and rod-like microglia. These states can be distinguished by multiple features, including the shape, span, and branching of microglia. In this paper, Mr. Luke Sumberg and colleagues studied how Closed-Head Impact Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration (CHIMERA) altered microglia morphology features, which contributed to increased hypertrophic (activated) and decreased ramified (inactive) microglia compared to the sham controls. Combined with the clinically relevant mTBI paradigm and semi-automated/unbiased approach, the current findings may contribute to microglia morphology classification.
Explore and Engage on Our USU Psychiatry Global Website
Explore and Engage on Our USU Psychiatry Global Website
Share best practices and delve into advanced treatment strategies for those providing direct patient care. POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER FURLOUGH
USU Psychiatry Community Tracks
USU Psychiatry Community Tracks
Collaborate with peers in similar environments and engage with leaders in the field of operational psychiatry. POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER FURLOUGH
Resources for Challenging Times
Resources for Challenging Times
Enhance your skills as an educator and mentor for the next wave of psychiatric professionals. Next meeting: POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER FURLOUGH
Research Community: Integrate research into your practice and contribute to the advancement of our field. POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER FURLOUGH
Social Media Highlight
Social Media Highlight
Dr. James C. West Discusses Tiers of Support for Service Members
Dr. James C. West Discusses Tiers of Support for Service Members
Dr. James "Curt" West spoke with the Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative (MTBI2) at USU on how service members can seek help in the military community.
Follow CSTS on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter) for more updates on the Center's work.
Connect with Community: Find Your Track
Connect with Community: Find Your Track
Choose your path to excellence in behavioral health sciences. Each track we offer is meticulously designed to cultivate passion, expertise, and commitment. Whether your calling lies in clinical care, leadership, academia, or research, there's a path here. Dive in, and together, let's shape the future of psychiatric care for the DoD community and our nation's warfighters. You can join multiple communities if you cannot decide. If you would like to get on a community email list, click on the button below.
Engage with the core of behavioral health, honing expertise to heal and uplift. Here, you'll emerge as a beacon for the DoD community, ensuring the psychological well-being of our dedicated warfighters and their families.
Next meeting:
Next meeting:
17 September 2025 @1500 EDT
17 September 2025 @1500 EDT
Seize the reins of leadership, blending strategy with empathy. Master the military medical leadership tenets and drive your team, and the broader community, to mental well-being and unparalleled readiness.
Next meeting:
Next meeting:
10 September 2025 @ 1500 EDT
10 September 2025 @ 1500 EDT
Kindle the spirit of the next medical generation. Academia awaits your wisdom, experience, and drive. Shape the future of behavioral health education and be the inspiration for countless future leaders in health care.
Next meeting:
Next meeting:
TBD
Venture into uncharted territories of understanding. Your research will uncover solutions in areas like Traumatic Stress Response, Suicide Prevention, and more. Illuminate pathways, ensuring the readiness and fortitude of our nation's defenders.
Next meeting:
Next meeting:
25 September 2025 @ 1500 EDT
25 September 2025 @ 1500 EDT
Our Vision
Our Vision
Our department is the home of military psychiatry, an internationally recognized leader in behavioral health science education, research and leadership, serving as an example for building a productive global professional community.
Educational Mission
Educational Mission
Train medical students in foundational mental health skills, focusing on the well-being of warfighters and their families. Offer robust pre-clerkship, clerkship, and elective training, including capstone projects. Integrate tele-behavioral health and telemedicine into the university-wide curriculum to prepare students for digital healthcare delivery.
Research Mission
Research Mission
Conduct targeted research to address military medical gaps in traumatic stress, suicide prevention, and warfighter sleep and cognition. Integrate military medical leadership principles into behavioral health education and interdisciplinary efforts.
Top three priorities for National Faculty Development in 2024:
Build Community
Build Community
Build community by connecting psychiatrists across the DoD and providing resources as the home of DoD Psychiatry.
Streamline Processes for National Faculty
Streamline Processes for National Faculty
Streamline the academic appointment and review process within the department.
Enhance Educational Offerings
Enhance Educational Offerings
Improve the educational and developmental offerings of the department.
We hope that this website can be a conduit for enabling these priorities.
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