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David Folks |
“The closing of Richard Young Center prompted us to think about where we needed to focus our energies and efforts,” said David Folks, M.D., chairman of the UNMC psychiatry department.
Nebraska’s only freestanding behavioral health care provider, Richard Young Center closed its doors April 1, after 72 years of service to the community and region.
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William Burke | Donald Swanson |
With the reorganization, the UNMC psychiatry department will concentrate its resources on the campus, which includes UNMC; its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center; and its physician group practice, University Medical Associates. It also will focus its energies on the community and state, including organizations and agencies funded by the state.
The restructuring process will improve access and availability of departmental services to its patients, Dr. Folks said, as well as enhance the department’s support and visibility on the UNMC campus.
It also will enable faculty members to develop significant collaborations with state and community mental health agencies and expand the department’s teaching opportunities.
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Jim Sorrell | Susan Boust |
“It’s a win-win for the state and university,” Dr. Folks said.
Under the reorganization, the following will serve as division chiefs:
- William Burke, M.D., professor – geriatrics;
- Donald Swanson, M.D., associate professor – children & adolescents;
- Jim Sorrell, M.D., assistant professor – university psychiatry (which includes all services that occur at the medical center);
- Susan Boust, M.D., associate professor, and L. Blaine Shaffer, M.D., professor — co-directors of public and community psychiatry. Dr. Shaffer also works three days a week with Health and Human Services as the state’s chief psychiatric officer.
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L. Blaine Shaffer | Matthew Egbert |
In other changes, Assistant Professor Matthew Egbert, M.D., is the new medical director of a 10-bed inpatient psychiatric crisis unit, which opened in May on the seventh floor of The Nebraska Medical Center’s University Tower.
“The day after it opened it was full,” Dr. Folks said. “We have waiting lists so it’s certainly meeting a need.”
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Todd Stull | Mark Fleisher |
Assistant Professor Todd Stull, M.D., is the new medical director of the University Drug and Alcohol Program, located at the Center Mall at 42nd and Center streets. The program helps individuals dealing with addictions including narcotics, heroin, methamphetamine and alcohol.
Associate Professor Mark Fleisher, M.D., will serve as the new medical director for adult outpatient services. Dr. Sorrell will continue as medical director for the inpatient consultation services at The Nebraska Medical Center.