University of Arizona Psychiatry Department

08/27/2026

Our Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry Catalina Uribe Rini, PsyD, BCBA — who is also a a child psychologist with Banner University Medical Center — was interviewed by KOLD News 13.

Dr. Uribe Rini said students aged 12 to 15 are the most at risk in being influenced by what they see on social media, especially those starting high school. She said parents should watch for any “change from baseline” behavior that lasts more than two weeks."

Learn more about the tools parents and teens can use in her interview!

Meta has reached a $17 billion settlement over claims that “addictive” features on Instagram and Facebook are harming children. Arizona is one of several states involved in legal action against the company.

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Assistant Clinical Professor Jacquelin Esque, MD, and Professor Karen Weihs, MD, for being honored with the third annual John C. Racy Award for Excellence in Academic Psychiatry & Psychology. They will both receive $1,000 to support their pursuit of ongoing professional development activities.

Thank you for all of your contributions to the department, Drs. Esque and Weihs!

08/22/2026

If there’s one thing our residency program loves is a little friendly competition!

Throwback to our Spring Wellness Retreat in March 2026, when our residents headed to for our first-ever residency-wide pickleball tournament.

Residents teamed up for a doubles’ tournament, competing for gift cards and a trophy, plus bragging rights. Lunch was provided for everyone, and whether competing on the court or cheering from the sidelines, everyone had the chance to enter a raffle for a custom-made gift basket.

We’re so grateful to have opportunities like this to step away from the hospital, spend time together outside of work, and have some fun with the people who make residency so special. 💙❤️

Already looking forward to the next rematch! 🏓

08/19/2026

Chief Resident Spotlight: Krithi Narimetla, MD
PGY-1 Liaison

🎓 Medical School: Texas Christian University Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine

💙 What she loves most about our program: “The people that make me look forward to coming in to work each day. I am so grateful for the staff, my co-resident friends (psych & non-psych!), and my mentors for all the support and encouragement, and for challenging me to be a better physician each day. I’ve been lucky to find friends in the most unexpected places, and I hope to keep them for a long time.”

07/31/2026

to March when our (then) PGY4 Chief Resident Jody Platto, MD, spoke at the Arizona Capitol for the Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness event. She educated attendees, including health leaders and Arizona legislators, on issues that uniquely impact the wellbeing of trainees and early career health professionals.

She is pictured here (on the left) with Jasleen Chhatwal, MD, associate clinical professor of psychiatry.

07/30/2026

Pregnancy raises difficult questions about psychiatric medications: Should treatment be continued, changed or stopped?

The best path forward begins with a conversation about the patient’s treatment history, medication effectiveness, and the risks of both an untreated illness and prenatal medication exposure.

Arizona clinicians do not have to navigate these complex decisions alone. Call our Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line at 888-290-1336 for a free consultation with a perinatal psychiatrist.

Read APAL's post about this topic, by Co-Director Dr. Emerick, at:
https://apal.arizona.edu/my-patient-pregnant-do-we-stop-everything-or-change-nothing

07/29/2026

Save the date for our next Addiction Medicine Grand Rounds with NYU Langone Health Professor of Population Health Joseph J. Palamar, PhD, MPH.

Details & Zoom link at https://medicine.arizona.edu/events/addiction-medicine-grand-rounds-changing-landscape-fentanyl-adulterants-united-states.

07/28/2026

Join us in welcoming our new PGY-2 resident, M. Arianna Price, MD, who joins us from the UT Southwestern Psychiatry Residency Program! 🎉

Dr. Price is from Tucson and is excited to return to the Old Pueblo. We are thrilled to have her in our residency program!

07/24/2026

to April when our Vice Chair of Education Jason Curry, DO, received the well-deserved Howard E. Wulsin Excellence in Education Award from the Arizona Psychiatric Society.

In his role of vice chair of education and as the residency program director, Dr. Curry exemplifies all of what the award is bestowed for and more. We appreciate you so much Dr. Curry!