#USA #New York #NYU Langone #Psychiatry #Joshua Berman

NYU Langone Health Appoints Dr. Joshua Berman

In a significant development for mental health care, NYU Langone Health has announced the appointment of Dr. Joshua Berman, a respected figure in complex psychiatric treatment, as the new director of its Interventional Psychiatry Services. With an impressive background that includes a decade of experience in utilizing advanced therapies, Dr. Berman is expected to bring innovative solutions to patients struggling with severe psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Berman transitions to NYU Langone from Columbia University Medical Center, where he has established a reputation for excellence in interventional psychiatry. His primary objective is to develop a cutting-edge interventional psychiatry program that encompasses a wide range of treatment modalities for various psychiatric conditions. This program aims to provide comprehensive care, combining the latest research advancements with practical clinical applications.

"NYU Langone Health is uniquely positioned to create a distinctive interventional psychiatry program. We have access to specialists in exciting areas, such as psychedelics and novel pharmacotherapies," remarks Dr. Berman. He emphasizes the collaborative nature of the NYU Langone environment, which facilitates translation of research findings into immediate clinical practices, thereby enhancing the speed and safety of patient care.

Interventional psychiatry aims to directly target brain functions through techniques like electrical and magnetic stimulation, and the use of pharmacological treatments. Such innovative therapeutic approaches are particularly useful for conditions resistant to traditional treatments, including treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder. These treatments may require specialized settings for administration and monitoring, ensuring patient safety.

Dr. Charles R. Marmar, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, lauds Dr. Berman's appointment, stating, "His successful track record in clinical psychiatry will surely advance our commitment to delivering exceptional care for patients with complex psychiatric conditions."

Dr. Berman's clinical expertise primarily focuses on various interventional techniques, notably electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and utilizing ketamine and esketamine for cases of resistant depression. He has previously led crucial hospital services at Columbia, overseeing its ECT program and ketamine treatment protocols.

An esteemed academic, Dr. Berman earned his A.B. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale before acquiring his PhD in neurobiology and MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. His training includes completing residencies at New York Presbyterian Hospital and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, supplemented by postdoctoral fellowships focusing on affective disorders and substance abuse.

His noteworthy research contributions span various topics, including molecular neurobiology and clinical trials associated with neuromodulation. Dr. Berman has played pivotal roles as a principal investigator in multicenter studies centered on deep TMS and deep brain stimulation, as well as collaborative projects to innovate MRI-guided TMS applications.

Moreover, Dr. Berman is an accomplished author, having published works in prestigious journals, such as Lancet Psychiatry and World Psychiatry. His educational efforts include mentoring up-and-coming professionals in interventional psychiatry, along with developing comprehensive training programs for residents and fellows.

NYU Langone Health has long been recognized for its commitment to providing top-notch patient care, boasting remarkably low mortality rates and ranking number one in four clinical specialties according to U.S. News & World Report. The health system operates with the goal of delivering a superior standard of care across its many locations in New York and Florida, including the acclaimed Perlmutter Cancer Center.

With the appointment of Dr. Berman, NYU Langone Health continues to lead the charge in innovative psychiatric care, promising to enhance the quality of life for patients grappling with intricate and severe mental health issues.