Psychiatry

BronxCare is the only hospital in New York City and one of five in New York State to receive a Zero Suicide grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in collaboration with the New York State Office of Mental Health. “This grant has enabled us to establish universal risk assessments, specialized interventions, safety planning, and monitoring at all levels and points of care,” stated Dr. Andreas Evdokas, Ph.D., Administrative Director, Psychiatry.

Another key initiative of the Department of Psychiatry is Collaborative Care, an integrated behavioral health model that has become the gold standard for treating depression. It is linked to better medical outcomes for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic arthritis pain, with the added benefit of potentially avoiding the need for referrals to more intensive and specialized psychiatric care.

At the Outpatient level, more than 200,000 visits are provided annually. There are two Adult Psychiatry practices and a Child Study Center. Comprehensive outpatient services provided include psychiatric evaluations and psychopharmacological interventions, as well as individual, group, and family therapy. “Our expert and dedicated team of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, Social Workers, Creative Art Therapists, and other staff are achieving many patient successes, a source of pride to us,” stated Theresa Carey, Administrative Director, Outpatient Psychiatry. 

In an effort to bring innovative treatment modalities, BronxCare is incorporating Telehealth and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) services into the psychiatric process. TMS, an FDA-approved office-based treatment, is proving to be effective in addressing resistant depression, nicotine dependence, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among other psychiatric conditions. The incorporation of Telehealth has also expanded services throughout the community. Telehealth is utilized in conducting evaluations, consultations, didactics, and resident supervision. These advanced cutting-edge, evidence-based methods will broaden mental health delivery and provide alternative forms of treatment to reach patients with mental health needs.

A Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) is also responding to more than 7,000 psychiatric emergencies annually, and a Mobile Crisis Team visits patients in their homes and collaborates with community partners in offering emergency interventions, when necessary, for those in crisis.

For individuals with chemical dependency problems, BronxCare’s Life Recovery Center is one of the few facilities in New York State to combine inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs at one location. The Life Recovery Center was also recognized by Newsweek magazine as among the Best Addiction Treatment Centers in the nation. It includes 20 detoxification and 25 rehabilitation beds, in addition to outpatient programs. “We provide medication-assisted treatment, individual and group counseling, and patient education programs, as well as a community residence within the Life Recovery Center that offers patients a stable living environment during their recovery,” stated Dr. Eliseo Go, Medical Director, Addiction Services.

Academically, the Department of Psychiatry has a number of internationally recognized leaders and teachers in the field. The educational experience includes an Adult Psychiatry Residency Program and three fellowships: Consultation Liaison, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Psychiatry. Residents and fellows have published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, and are the recipients of numerous awards. “Our Psychiatry residency program continues to be a beacon of excellence, attracting top-tier talent and producing compassionate, skilled practitioners ready to meet the evolving mental health needs of our communities,” stated Dr. Sasidhar Gunturu, Vice Chairman for Education/Residency Training Director/Medical Director, Psychiatric Integrated Services & Community Psychiatry.