Robert Berman, MD, and Lisa Harding, MD, have been selected as the new co-chairs of the Yale Psychiatry Alumni Association (YPAA).
Both bring outstanding leadership, expertise, and a deep commitment to the Yale community, making them the ideal team to reinvigorate the YPAA and strengthen alumni engagement.
Berman is a renowned leader in psychiatric research and clinical practice, particularly known for his pioneering work in the development of antidepressant adjunctive therapies and in drug development. His groundbreaking research has shaped the modern treatment of mood disorders, making significant contributions to the advancement of depression treatments.
His longstanding connection with the Yale Department of Psychiatry, as an adjunct professor over the last 12 years along with his global influence in the field, positions him to provide inspiring leadership as co-chair. Berman’s commitment to education and clinical innovation will help guide the YPAA toward fostering deeper connections and a shared sense of purpose among alumni.
Harding, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry in the department, is a distinguished expert in depression treatment and intervention psychiatry. As the medical director of the Mood Institute, an outpatient psychiatric practice focused on treatment-resistant depression, she has led the way in delivering cutting-edge care. Her global influence as a speaker and educator, combined with her deep commitment to advancing real-world, practical solutions in medicine, positions her as a dynamic leader for the alumni association.
Harding’s innovative vision and dedication to service and teaching will be instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect, collaborate, and engage with the broader psychiatric community.
Together, Berman and Harding are eager to energize the YPAA. Their vision is to expand engagement opportunities, facilitate collaboration, and deepen the association’s role in advising the department and mentoring trainees.
The YPAA has a long-standing tradition of involvement in events like the annual Yale reception at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting and regional meetings, and under this new leadership, Berman and Harding aim to build even more pathways for alumni to stay involved.