The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences held its Annual Celebration on Tuesday, January 27, to reflect on the outstanding work accomplished in 2025. Attendees came together in person and online to recognize the teaching, research and clinical care achievements of their colleagues across the University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System.

Department Chair William Gabrielli, M.D., Ph.D., highlighted the department’s rich history of research and innovation during his opening remarks. The department, first formed in 1946, celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026 .

The festive event included a catered lunch and raffle prizes. Several faculty and staff members received recognition for their years of service to the department and their meaningful contributions to our work. Please join us in extending congratulations to the following honorees:

Years of Service Awards

1 year

• Ashu Agarwal, M.D., clinical assistant professor
• Kristen Baird, LPN, ambulatory clinic
• Caitlin Charbonneau, resource and referral coordinator
• Adam Everson, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor
• Eriana Flanagan, patient service representative
• Muhammed Imran, MBBS, clinical assistant professor
• Falon Jenkins, RN, ambulatory clinic
• Sara Lewis, RN, ambulatory clinic
• Courtney Main, intensive outpatient program manager
• Daniel Ortiz, M.D., clinical associate professor
• Carlie Seifert, MSW, ambulatory social work case manager
• Megan Solberg, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor
• Dustin Vann, communications and marketing specialist
• Shelby Weber, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor
• Maggie Yonker, administrative assistant

5 years

• Emily Clements, M.D., assistant professor
• Laura Heckert, M.D., assistant professor
• Hannah Katz, Psy.D., clinical assistant professor
• Olivia Veatch, Ph.D., M.S., assistant professor
• Ashleigh Harrington, LPN, ambulatory clinic

10 years

• Marcus Alt, Ph.D., associate professor
• Mitchell Douglass, M.D., associate professor
• Heather Kruse, Ph.D., associate professor

15 years

• Johnny Graves, substance abuse counselor

20 years

• Monica Kurylo, Ph.D., ABPP, professor
• Susan Sharp, D.O., clinical associate professor

Department Awards

Research and Scholarship Award

This award recognizes the accomplishments of department faculty members in the areas of research and scholarship.

2026 recipient: Roopa Sethi, MBBS, M.D., associate professor

Impact and Engagement Award

This award recognizes a faculty member who promotes an impactful, engaged learning environment.

2026 recipient: Shilpa Sachdeva, M.D., associate professor

Psychiatry Staff Service Award

This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate professional excellence in the individual’s career in the areas of service, sharing and collegiality. Eligible candidates include staff counselors, masters level providers, nonfaculty research staff, support staff and nursing staff.

• Strawberry Hill recipient: Lasheena Grimmett, behavioral health technician
• Marillac recipient: Jess VanDyke, administrative assistant
• Main campus: Stacy Buckley, residency/fellowship coordinator

Collegiality Award

This award recognizes one physician and one psychologist/doctoral researcher faculty who demonstrates collegiality, described as “the cooperative relationship of colleagues and sharing of authority.” Eligible candidates include faculty at any level of their career and in any track.

Psychiatry recipient: Tyler Kjorvestad, M.D., assistant professor

Psychology recipient: Lindsey Jenkins, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor

Service Achievement Award

This award recognizes and promotes the accomplishments of faculty who demonstrate professional excellence in their careers as shown by research, teaching or clinical service and/or clinical contributions that are above and beyond. Eligible candidates include faculty at any level of their career and in any track.

2026 recipient: Angela Mayorga, M.D., professor

Congratulations to this year’s honorees! Follow the department on LinkedIn to view more photos from the celebration.