In Memoriam

Thomas E. Brown, PhD, a pioneer in the understanding of attention deficit-/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a member of the Yale Department of Psychiatry’s voluntary clinical faculty for two decades, died at home on August 18, 2025. He was 83.

Robert Jay Lifton, MD, a member of the Yale Department of Psychiatry faculty from 1961 to 1984, died September 4, 2025, at the age of 99. A psychiatrist, historian, and social commentator, he was described as one of the nation’s leading intellectuals and a founder of the field of psychohistory.

The Yale Department of Psychiatry announces the passing of Cheri Bragg, BA, MSW, program manager (M&P) for the department's Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH).

Ruth Westheimer, EdD, known to the public as "Dr. Ruth," passed away on July 12, 2024. She was 94. At the time of her death, she held the rank of Lecturer in the Yale Department of Psychiatry.

Michael J. Sernyak, MD, died peacefully on May 25, 2024. He was 62. At the time of his death, Michael was professor, Deputy Chair for State Affairs, and Deputy Chair for Clinical Affairs for the Department of Psychiatry. Also, he was CEO of the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

With great sadness, we share news of the sudden and unexpected death of Patrick D. Skosnik, PhD, at the age of 50 on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Boston. At the time of his untimely passing, he was an adjunct Associate Professor in the Yale Department of Psychiatry having very recently taken a position as a tenured Professor, Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Schools of Nursing & Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences where he had opened a new chapter in his academic life.

The Department of Psychiatry sadly shares the news of the death of Jerzy E. Henisz, MD, PhD, retired faculty in the department. Dr. Henisz died January 16, 2024, at the age of 86 in his home in Washington, Conn., after a long struggle with cancer.

It is with immense sadness that the Yale Department of Psychiatry shares the news of the sudden death of Miraj Desai, PhD, at the age of 41 on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Miraj was an assistant professor at the Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH) of the Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.

The Department of Psychiatry sadly shares the news of the death of George K. Aghajanian, MD, at the age of 91 on July 4, 2023. At the time of this death, Dr. Aghajanian was the Foundations Fund Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry.