She takes over from Dr. Helen Kales, Professor of Psychiatry, who has asked to step down from this role to allow an increased focus on research, mentorship, and national/international collaborations. Under Dr. Kales’ leadership (2009-2014), the program has grown from regional to national prominence with 11 subspecialty-boarded faculty, and has attained a large grant base including VA, NIH and Foundation funding. We are grateful to Dr. Kales for her leadership and her establishment of the Program for Positive Aging, which she will continue to direct within the Geropsychiatry Program. Additionally, Dr. Kales will continue in her role as Associate Director for Mental Health and Aging Research at the University of Michigan Geriatrics Center.
Dr. Maixner has been on our faculty since completing her residency and Geropsychiatry Fellowship here in 1999. She also directs our Geropsychiatry Fellowship and oversees the Geropsychiatry Clinic; she will continue in these roles at the present time.