MUSC Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

03/24/2026

Reminder to register for the MIND 2026 Conference taking place April 21–24, 2026, at the Charleston Gaillard Center.

Registration is free for all Psychiatry residents using the code MINDSTUDENT.

Scan the QR code in the flyer or register here: https://www.mind2026.org/

03/23/2026

Last Friday was Match Day, and we are proud to welcome 17 new PGY1 residents to our Psychiatry, Neurology/Psychiatry, and Internal Medicine/Psychiatry programs. Coming from diverse backgrounds and schools across the country, this talented group will begin orientation in June, marking the start of their journey with us over the next several years.

03/22/2026

Dr. Jamison Bottomley and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Death Studies titled "Post traumatic growth among recent su***de loss survivors."

Read here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07481187.2026.2628750?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

03/21/2026

This year, two NCVRTC team members were recognized with awards during the 2026 South Carolina Victims’ Rights Week Conference award ceremony.

John Tressy, LPC/S: 2026 Outstanding Service Provider Award
John is an outreach clinician who specializes in working with adult victims of crime, specifically those impacted by a loss by homicide. John currently facilitates our Survivors of Homicide Support Group weekly. He was nominated by one of our Survivors (who attends our support groups) for his service to the community.

Dr. Aurelia Sands Belle: 2026 Distinguished Humanitarian Award
Dr. Sands Belle has spent her 45-year career working with victims of crime across many states, nationally, and internationally. She is a current faculty member with the NCVRTC and works with the National Mass Violence Center (NMVC) and the Sexual Assault Services (SAS) program. Dr. Sands Belle was nominated for her commitment to serving victims of crime throughout her career.

Both awards recognize the compassion and service to supporting and caring for victims of crime. We are truly inspired by John and Aurelia for their commitment to victims and our community.

Picture (Left to Right): Meg Wallace, Mayra Lomeli Garcia, John Tressy, Aurelia Sands Belle, Julia Mullen, and Morgan Carter.

03/20/2026

Dr. Lindsay Squeglia and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Translational Psychiatry titled "Brain network features predating early alcohol initiation in adolescence."

Read here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-026-03906-w

03/19/2026

Dr. Sarah Hales and other collaborators released a publication in the International Journal of Obesity titled "Counseling patients through an obesity diagnosis: a brief primer for healthcare providers."

Obesity is a complex disease that deserves evidence-based care. As highly effective new treatments such as incretin-based therapies gain attention, more patients are starting conversations about weight management. The authors of this perspective include researchers, clinicians, and a patient who share guidance on respectful language, patient preferences, and how providers can support informed, compassionate care.

Read here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-026-02020-7

03/18/2026

Dr. Jeff Borckardt joined SC Public Radio to discuss an AI tool developed by his education technology company that creates emotionally responsive virtual patients to help train future clinicians. Dr. Borckardt is a professor at MUSC and the founder of Figment Learning Labs in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Listen here:

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Jeff Borckardt, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and the founder of Figment Learning Labs in Mount Pleasant, SC.

03/17/2026

Drs. Christine Hahn, Dean Kilpatrick, Austin Hahn, and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of American College Health titled "Predictors of alcohol use and consequences among college women reporting adult sexual violence: Posttraumatic stress symptoms, urgency, and drinking motives."

Read here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07448481.2026.2619943?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

03/16/2026

Dr. Lisa McTeague and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Participatory Medicine titled "Using Participatory Methods to Create Informational Videos for Inclusive Brain Stimulation Research Recruitment: Action Research Study and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial."

Read here: https://jopm.jmir.org/2026/1/e79311

03/15/2026

Dr. Timothy Brewerton and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Eating Disorders titled "Rebuttal to 'Questioning the Recovery of Dissociated Traumatic Memories Under Psilocybin.'"

Read here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-026-01532-x

03/14/2026

Dr. Julianne Flanagan has been appointed Director of Mental Health Research Development within the HEROIC Center of Innovation (COIN).

In this role, Dr. Flanagan will help lead initiatives to strengthen mental health research infrastructure, support investigator development, and expand collaborative opportunities between VA and MUSC investigators. This effort reflects the HEROIC COIN’s ongoing commitment to fostering impactful, Veteran-centered mental health research through strong collaboration between the Charleston VAHCS and MUSC.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Flanagan on this well-deserved appointment! 🎉

03/13/2026

Drs. Christina Lebonville, Michaela Hoffman, and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Neuropharmacology titled "Mediodorsal thalamus of alcohol-dependent mice shows genetic and physiological adaptations and alcohol-biased calcium signaling."

Read here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390826000560?via%3Dihub