- Grants and Publications have increased by 50% in the last year
- We offer specialty training PGY 6 positions in Geriatrics, Forensic and Child and Adolescents Psychiatry
- We present awards each year to recognize excellence in teaching and education
Department of Psychiatry
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa takes pride in providing excellence in mental health care, training and research. With a large faculty of nearly 300 members spread across hospitals, research institutes and community settings, the department hosts a range of research programs which aim to welcome and encourage critical thinking that integrates what we know about the impact of biology, psychology and social forces on feelings, behavior and physiology towards the benefit of patients and practice.
Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. We are a large faculty of nearly 300 people spread across five different hospitals, five research institutes and individuals working in the community. The mandate of the Department is to advance the academic mission of the University of Ottawa with a focus on research and teaching. Because we are a large department, we have a range of research programs encompassing functional brain imaging, psychopharmacology, mortality in mood disorders, systematic review science, forensic psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and trauma, suicide prevention and clinical trials in underserved populations. We provide a wide range of teaching at undergraduate and post graduate levels including our resident program, which with about 65 residents, is the third largest in the Faculty of Medicine.
As well as a focus on research and teaching because of our location in the nation’s capital we aim to be involved in policy making and being good at working with policy makers. We aim to improve our relationship with the indigenous people of the area and are developing actions and policies around this as well as equity, diversity and inclusiveness.
In many ways psychiatry is at a cross roads with one route reducing the speciality to a prescriber of a few psychotropic medications and giving up our roles in other areas such as psychotherapy or cognitive assessments; on the other hand another route lies in being the specialty that integrates what we know about the impact of biology, psychology and social forces on feelings, behaviour and physiology and using this integrated knowledge for the benefit of patients who seek our help. New and critical thinking to address these challenges is welcomed and encouraged in our Department. Enjoy your time with us.
Dr. Simon Hatcher
Interim Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Our vision, mission and values
Our vision
Healing Minds Through Learning & Science
Our mission
Our faculty works to improve the lives and health of our communities at home and abroad through innovative education, research that impacts patients, social justice, and compassionate, effective care.
Our values
Mental Health Matters: Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence for everyone.
Quick facts
230
Faculty members
50+
Graduate students supervised by our members
60
Average number of residents in our General Psychiatry training program
In the last two years:
200
Peer-reviewed papers published
9 million+
Research dollars brought in
84
Record number of funding grants received by members
Awards and Recognitions
2022
- Debbie Hall
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Program Administrator Award for Excellence - Dr. Naista Zhand
Early Career Achievement in Psychiatry Award from the Canadian Psychiatric Association - Dr. Pierre Blier
JM Cleghorn Award for Excellence and Leadership in Clinical Research from the Canadian Psychiatric Association - Dr. Elliot Lee
Award for Excellence in Education from the Association of Chairs of Psychiatry
News
- Call for Abstracts: Department of Psychiatry Annual Research Day Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
We are pleased to invite you to submit your research abstracts to the Annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day, which will be held virtually on November 22, 2023. Submissions are welcome on any topic within psychiatry, mental health and/or clinical neuroscience. Trainee awards available.
Abstract submissions for either poster or oral presentations will be accepted from all Faculty, Clinical and Postdoctoral Fellows, Residents, Medical and Graduate Students associated with the department and/or its affiliated research institutes, as well as from scientists affiliated with international institutions. A scientific committee will review and evaluate all abstracts and select oral presenters from among the top-ranked oral submissions. For those who are interested, there is an opportunity to have your abstract published in the uOttawa Journal of Medicine (UOJM) pending review and acceptance by the committee.
Click to view the full Call for Abstracts Form (PDF, 433 KB). - Department of Psychiatry Annual Research Day Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The department's annual Research Day will be hosted virtually by the University of Ottawa Department of Psychiatry. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations will be due October 27th, 2023.
View the Research Day flyer (PDF, 413 KB) - Medical Education Fellowship and Course Opportunities
The Medical Education Fellowship program is open to all department members. The fellowship is a 50% time commitment; the other 50% time in either a clinical fellowship or working to fund the year. The program has a representative from psychiatry on the fellowship committee, Dr. Susmita Chandramouleeshwaran.
There is also a course (HESP, Healthcare education scholars program) – running Tuesday am from September to May – and covers basic principles of education (the Department of Medicine suggests for all Program Directors or those involved in education). The deadline has passed, but members could make this a consideration for next year. It is a great way for clinicians to get some training in education without a significant time commitment.
2023 - 2024 Fellowship Call and Application (PDF, 253 KB)
HESP - Application Form 2023-2024 (PDF, 193 KB)
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Susan Humphrey-Murto at [email protected]. - Canadian Psychiatric Association Annual Conference: October 18-21, 2023 - Vancouver. BC
The annual conference is a key opportunity to explore new perspectives, reconnect with colleagues and learn from the passions of others in the field of psychiatry.
More than 1,000 psychiatrists, psychiatric trainees, and other health-care professionals will be in Vancouver to discover the latest breakthroughs in clinical practice and research, learn about new policy initiatives, gain competencies vital to modern psychiatric practice, and be inspired to create lasting positive changes in mental health.
CPA Annual Conference Promotional Sheet (PDF, 122 KB)
Career opportunities
- Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Chair of Competence Committee - Deadline: October, 27, 2023
The Chair of the Competence Committee forms an essential part of the leadership team for the core Psychiatry Residency Training program. The leadership team assists the chair of the Department in fulfilling the mission, vision, and goals as these relate to the Psychiatry Residency Training program. The Chair of the Competence Committee with support from the Residency Program Committee (RPC), will oversee the promotion of residents in collaboration with academic advisors and the competence committee, as mandated by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons.
The ideal candidate will have a certification with the RCPSC and be a University of Ottawa faculty member in good standing. The candidate must hold a minimum of a 0.5 FTE at a fully-affiliated hospital, affiliated research institute, or community-affiliated hospital. Additional assets include a track record demonstrating commitment to education, good interpersonal skills, organizational abilities, self-directedness, and good problem-solving skills. Additional training/experience in education and/or administration is an asset as is the ability to adapt to a changing educational and clinical landscape. Working knowledge of the French language is an asset.
Please click to view the complete Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Chair of Competence Committee Posting. Please send expressions of interest with a letter of intent and Curriculum Vitae to Dr. Sephora Tang at [email protected] by October 27, 2023. -
Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Assistant Program Director (APD), Curriculum Lead - Deadline: October 27, 2023
The Assistant Program Director (APD), Curriculum Lead, forms an essential part of the leadership team for the core Psychiatry Residency Training program. The leadership team assists the chair of the department in fulfilling the mission, vision, and goals as these relate to the Psychiatry Residency Training program. The APD (Curriculum Lead), with support from the RPC, will oversee the competency by design (CBD) curriculum mandated by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, and oversee the coordination of core curricular activities for the psychiatry residency program.
The ideal candidate will have a certification with the RCPSC and be a University of Ottawa faculty member in good standing. The candidate must hold a minimum of a 0.5 FTE at a fully-affiliated hospital, affiliated research institute, or community-affiliated hospital. Additional assets include a track record demonstrating commitment to education, good interpersonal skills, organizational abilities, self-directedness, and good problem-solving skills. Additional training/experience in education and/or administration is an asset as is the ability to adapt to a changing educational and clinical landscape. Knowledge of French is considered an asset.
Please click to the view the complete Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Assistant Program Director (APD), Curriculum Lead Posting. Please send expressions of interest with a letter of intent and Curriculum Vitae to Dr. Sephora Tang at [email protected] by October 27, 2023.
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