Department of Psychiatry

History and Progress

The Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry was founded in 1946. The Division has had 11 division heads since that time. Robert. J. Harmon, MD, 1984 -2002, was succeeded by Marianne Z. Wamboldt, MD, in October 2002, as the division head. Dr. Wamboldt is Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Children's Hospital and the Vice Chair for Child Psychiatry at UCDHSC.

The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Program has had six training directors since its conception in 1965 (some serving more than once). Recent directors are:

1988-2001 Donald W. Bechtold, MD
2002- Present Debbie R. Carter, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry UCD

The child & adolescent psychiatry division is an integral part of the Department of Psychiatry. Its training program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children. The Program was accredited on June 29, 1960, and has performed solidly in RRC reviews ever since. The program recently received a five-year continued accreditation status, which is the highest any program can receive.

Starting in the 1980's, the department of psychiatry increased focus on the development of academic research careers for child psychiatrists by working with the Developmental Psychobiology Research Group (DPRG) T32 Training Grant to help young investigators develop research careers and prepare for NIH or other funding grants.

A career research track was developed within child residency to recruit highly qualified applicants interested in an academic career. Residents interested in research devote first and second year elective time to hone a research project prior to applying to the two-year DPRG- child division research track after graduation.

In addition to research training throughout the department of psychiatry, the child psychiatry division is known for solid emphasis on development of clinical and administrative expertise. Infant psychiatry, attachment, bonding, and the early dyadic relationship has been a significant focus within the division since Rene Spitz, MD, expanded theories on child development while at UCDHSC. Currently residents participate in a two-year didactic and clinical experience focusing on the 0-5 year old child period. The Irving Harris Program for Child Development and Infant Mental Health Fellowship allows for residents to pursue additional training after graduation.