John W Mason MD
Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry
Biographical Info
Dr. Mason is a specialist in the interplay between human emotions and the endocrine system. He has helped to establish the value of psychoendocrine strategies in the study of such wide-ranging issues as the differentiation of emotional states, the organization and effectiveness or psychological defenses and coping styles, and the role of hormones in psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia. In general, he has focused on broad patterns of hormonal changes rather than changes in single endocrine systems and has developed multihormonal profile measurements as a criterion for diagnosing major psychiatric disorders. He also is regarded as an international leader and theoretician in the field of psychological and physical stress research.
Dr. Mason was chief of the department of neuroendocrinology at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research from 1953 to 1974. In 1977, he joined the Yale School of Medicine as professor of psychiatry and became director of the Psychoendocrine Laboratory at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Haven. He retired in 1991.
Education & Training
- AB
- Indiana University (1944)
- M.D.
- Indiana State University (1947)
- M.A.
- (hon.) Yale University (1977)
Honors & Recognition
- Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Dept. of Army (1960) - Sustained Superior Performance Civil Service Award
(1960) - Sustained Superior Performance Civil Service Award
(1966) - Sustained Superior Performance Civil Service Award
(1969) - Nomination for Rockefeller Award
(1973) - Medal of the Pavlovian Society (First recipient of this award)
(1985) - President's Award
American Psychosomatic Society (2000) - Honorary Grand Rounds Career Celebration
Yale University School of Medicine (2000)
Professional Service
- President, American Psychosomatic Society (01/01/1969 - 01/01/1970)
- Council Member, American Psychosomatic Society (01/01/1967 - 01/01/1970)
- Council Member, American Psychosomatic Society (01/01/1960 - 01/01/1963)
