Department of Psychiatry

Medical student education

Philosophy: The faculty of the Department of Psychiatry strive to provide the highest level of education for medical students at UNMC. Our educational program seeks to provide instruction both in the recognition and treatment of common psychiatric conditions and in the further integration of the biopsychosocial causes of human behavior.

Educational experiences for medical students:

Preclinical education: In the first two years of medical school, the Department of Psychiatry provides lectures in human development and the major psychiatric disorders. A second-year behavioral science course includes a diverse number of psychiatric topics, some of which include: mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse and schizophrenia.

In the first two years of medical school, the Department of Psychiatry provides lectures in human development and the major psychiatric disorders. A second-year behavioral science course includes a diverse number of psychiatric topics, some of which include: mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse and schizophrenia.

In addition to formal lectures, many of our faculty serve as small group facilitators in the first and second year Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE) program. Preclinical psychiatric education is under the direction of Dennis P. McNeilly, Psy.D., Director of Medical Student Education.

The Psychiatry clerkship: In the third year of medical school, UNMC students spend six weeks on the Psychiatry clerkship. A required component of the third-year curriculum, students are assigned to a faculty preceptor and see psychiatric patients in inpatient and a variety of outpatient settings. Weekly didactic sessions are also provided to help students learn focused interviewing techniques, as well as assessment and treatment of common psychiatric conditions. Mary Jo Hanigan, M.D., serves as the Clerkship Director.

 In the third year of medical school, UNMC students spend six weeks on the Psychiatry clerkship. A required component of the third-year curriculum, students are assigned to a faculty preceptor and see psychiatric patients in inpatient and a variety of outpatient settings. Weekly didactic sessions are also provided to help students learn focused interviewing techniques, as well as assessment and treatment of common psychiatric conditions. Mary Jo Hanigan, M.D., serves as the Clerkship Director.

Electives in Psychiatry: A broad array of elective experiences are available in Psychiatry. Fourth-year medical students may select from individualized studies, geropsychiatry, consultation psychiatry, and a number of other options for further exposure to psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Interested students may contact either Mary Jo Hanigan, M.D. or Dennis P. McNeilly, Psy.D., Director of Medical Student Education for additional details and advice about specific electives.

 A broad array of elective experiences are available in Psychiatry. Fourth-year medical students may select from individualized studies, geropsychiatry, consultation psychiatry, and a number of other options for further exposure to psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Interested students may contact either Mary Jo Hanigan, M.D. or Dennis P. McNeilly, Psy.D., Director of Medical Student Education for additional details and advice about specific electives.

Address questions to: Betsy Porter
                                 Phone:  (402) 552-6323
                                 Email:  eporter@unmc.edu