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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

Dr. Simon Hatcher
Dr. Simon Hatcher

Our vision, mission and values

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Our vision

Healing Minds Through Learning & Science
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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.
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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

  • 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

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
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News

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].

Career opportunities

There is currently no vacancy.

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