Lazos Fuertes Holds 20th Anniversary Celebration
November marked the 20th anniversary of the launch of Lazos Fuertes, UR Medicine Mental Health and Wellness's healthcare service for Spanish speaking families. A celebration was held on December 4th recognizing the work Lazos Fuertes staff and faculty have accomplished since its opening in 1999. In addition, Medical Director of Lazos Fuertes, Telva Olivares, MD was recognized for her commitment to cultural inclusion, diversity and culturally competent care.

GoFundMe Fundraiser Established for URMC Family
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support one of our URMC coworkers. Funds raised will go towards medical and funeral costs the family is enduring. In addition, a GoFundMe has also been set up to support another victim in this tragic event. Please consider donating to help these two families. READ MORE>>>

Bridge Art Gallery To Host Art Reception, New Call for Art

East to West by Mark McMonagle

The Bridge Art Gallery will host a reception for their newest art exhibit, Life is a Journey, on January 22nd from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. 34 artists and artist groups from across Western New York, the United States and as far away as Malaysia and India will be featured in the show. In response to the show theme, their works touch upon the intersection of nature and humanity, loss, memory, and healing. The event will take place in the Babigian Room (1.7023). READ MORE>>>

The gallery will also be once again partnering with a local youth mental health advocacy group, Stop the Stigma ROC, to host the 3rd Annual Jordyn Keeley Art and Writing Competition. Held in memory of Fairport student Jordyn Keeley, this competition is open to middle school and high school students and is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of developing resiliency and coping skills. READ MORE>>>

New Adolescent-Young Adult Programs Hold Open House

Strong Ties and Strong Recovery held an open house celebrating their new Adolescent and Young Adult Programs. The celebration included tours, refreshments, and a ribbon cutting commemorating the new program which will provide treatment programs for youth facing substance use and serious mental health challenges.

❆Psychiatry Winter Celebration To Be Held at Memorial Art Gallery❆
The Department of Psychiatry's Winter Celebration for staff and faculty will be held on February 7th from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Memorial Art Gallery. The event will include live music, food, a cash bar, and a psychiatry-themed scavenger hunt! More information to come! 

UR Medicine Telepsychiatry Recognized by AAMC
In a recent news article, The Association of American Medical Colleges discussed telepsychiatry and how it is being used to increase access to medical care in rural areas and nursing homes. Michael Hasselberg, MS, PhD spoke on UR Medicine Mental Health and Wellness's own telepsychiatry program saying, "With telepsychiatry, we can eliminate the need to transport older patients from a facility and in some cases even deliver care to people in their own homes." READ MORE>>>

Jennifer Funderburk Discusses Brief Tobacco and Alcohol​ Interventions
Jennifer Funderburk, PhD co-authored a study in The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders examining the barriers and facilitators behavioral health providers face when delivering brief interventions for tobacco and alcohol use. READ MORE>>>

Leadership Updates at Employer Based Services
Vanessa Mace, BS has recently been promoted to the position of Employer Based Services Program Manager. In this position, Vanessa will oversee the administrative operations of Behavioral Health Partners (BHP) and the UR Medicine Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Speaking on Vanessa's time with BHP and EAP, Ann Cornell, PsyD, comments that Vanessa "has proven to be an invaluable member of our teams and is recognized for her efficiency, organization and intellect."

Upcoming Events & Lectures

• Jan. 3: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine - Rosanne Moore
• Jan. 5: Psychiatry Grand Rounds - Rethinking Suicide Prevention
• Jan. 8: Psychiatry Grand Rounds - Psychosocial Oncology
• Jan. 8: Opioid Overdose Prevention Training
• Jan. 15: On-Site Winter Celebration for URMC Staff and Faculty
• Jan. 16: On-Site Winter Celebration for Staff and Faculty (Night Staff)
• Jan. 17: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine - Kristin Andlauer, Fiona Stout
• Jan. 29: Department of Psychiatry MLK Grand Rounds- Wade Norwood
• Jan. 22: Life is a Journey Art Exhibit Reception
• Jan. 31: Eastman Performing Arts Medicine - Logan Mohr
• Feb. 5: Cognitive Trainings for Older Adults at Risk for Dementia