The department of psychiatry at Loma Linda University (LLU) is constantly growing, changing, and improving. With a dedicated faculty serving as the backbone of our department, we strive to meet the psychiatric needs of the Inland Empire while giving our students and residents rich learning experiences.

In recent years, we have added a number of faculty members to our department. Mark D. Ard ’16 now directs the adult consultation service for Loma Linda University Medical Center and Jamie L. Snyder ’87 directs the pediatric consultation service at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Jo P. Everett ’17 has taken responsibility for the new neuroscience and human behavior course in the basic science curriculum—we thank Stephanie L. Bolton ’03, who held this position from 2008–2021, for years of excellent instruction. Lastly, we are pleased to have Aaron M. Gilmore, DO, and Kevin J. Chun, MD, join our child/adolescent division.

Other faculty activities include Mark G. Haviland, PhD, professor emeritus of psychiatry, publishing his 100th peer-reviewed article and William H. McGhee ’72 named among the Alumni Association’s 2022 Honored Alumni.

Over the past several years, we have considerably expanded our clinical programs. Our new and strengthened programs include: an addictions fellowship, utilizing faculty from psychiatry and preventive medicine; intensive outpatient programs and partial psychiatric programs, which include substance recovery, adult, and child services; and the Managing Each New Direction program. Our department also covers community psychiatry services at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans’ Hospital and Patton State Hospital. Additionally, we offer specialty clinics for medication assisted treatment, lifestyle psychiatry, and Christian psychotherapy.

In June 2022, we will celebrate the second graduating class of the child fellowship—a two-year, ACGME approved program directed by Ara M. Anspikian ’05. We offer four available positions per year. The program aims to train excellent child and adolescent psychiatrists to become community leaders and strong patient advocates. Our partnerships with the LLU Behavioral Medicine Center, the LLU Children’s Hospital, and the San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health have been critical for program support. The inaugural class graduated last year, and we are very proud to see them confidently enter the psychiatric workforce.

Over the past few years, the School of Medicine focused on strengthening the basic sciences, emphasizing one organ system at a time. This new curriculum went into effect with the class of 2024.  Dr. Everett directs this initiative in psychiatry. Our department has partnered with the neurology department to help students understand the brain and nervous system. Students study the brain for a full nine weeks. In that time, they are exposed to traditional lectures, hands-on brain dissections, case studies, and interactive group discussions, which accommodate a diverse range of learning styles. Students learn the details of psychotic disorders one day, followed by the microbiology of encephalitis the next, allowing them to create diverse differentials between the fields of psychiatry and neurology.

The department of psychiatry has also begun offering its first selective course for second-year medical students. This year, the selective course focused on a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral therapy. This undertaking has been as rewarding as it has been challenging.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge Timothy Lee, MD, for seven years of leadership as residency training director and Melissa J. Pereau ’04 for seven years as associate residency training director and clerkship director. I’d also like to recognize those not mentioned: our remarkable students and residents, the rest of our dedicated faculty, and our patients who trust us with their care.  Their adaptability and flexibility have been inspirational.

Dr. Murdoch has chaired the department of psychiatry for 12 years. In his spare time he can be found gardening or spending time with his grandchildren.

DEPARTMENT AT A GLANCE

LOCATIONS: Our department covers nine clinical rotation sites. The majority of these sites exist within 3.5 miles of Loma Linda University Medical Center, making it convenient for our residents to experience a variety of clinical settings.

VISITS: In 2021, our department was responsible for approximately 10,000 outpatient visits.

PROVIDERS: Currently, the psychiatry department consists of 27 primary and secondary faculty members. We also have 36 residents and 8  fellows supporting our clinical operations.

RESEARCH: Mark G. Haviland, PhD, remains active in research and has published his hundredth peer-reviewed article.He continues his widely cited psychometric work with Steven P. Reise, PhD, (Department of Psychology, UCLA).

ALUMNI FACULTY MEMBERS (As of spring 2022): Ara M. Anspikian ’05, Mark D. Ard ’16, Stephanie L. Bolton ’03, Kelsey Bullock ’15, Claudia Carmona ’09, Jo P. Everett ’17, Zachary C. Herzfeldt ’15, Cameron J. Johnson ’89, Henry H. Lamberton, PsyD, ’01-fac, William H. McGhee ’72, William G. Murdoch Jr. ’73-B, Melissa J. Pereau ’04, David J. Puder ’10, Pharez D. Rolle ’14, Jamie L. Snyder ’87, Monica J. Tone ’12, Darcy Temple ’11, and George T. Harding IV ’53-B (Emeritus).