Honors & Awards

Celebrating the career of Mark Snowden

Department News | June 29, 2026

This year, we congratulate Mark Snowden, MD, MPH on his retirement after an extraordinary 40 years of service, leadership, and mentorship at the University of Washington.
 
After earning a BA in English Literature from Princeton University, Mark came to Seattle and worked as a case manager at a community mental health center before joining UW as a medical student in 1986. Over the following decades, he built a distinguished career as a geriatric psychiatrist and health services researcher, while becoming one of the department’s most trusted and respected leaders. His research focused on improving access to evidence-based mental health care for older adults, including leading the team that implemented PEARLS – the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives – an innovative approach to treating depression among older adults in community settings.
 
For more than a decade, Mark served as Chief of Psychiatry at Harborview Medical Center and as Vice Chair for our department’s Clinical Services. He also co-chaired our department’s EDI Council and played a key leadership role on the steering committee for Washington state’s Crisis Response Improvement Strategy (the CRIS Committee), helping guide statewide behavioral health crisis system improvements from 2021 through the committee’s final report in 2025.
 
Known for his steady and fair approach to leadership, his wisdom, and his judgment, Mark has been extremely influential as a mentor, helping a generation of faculty become expert clinicians, teachers, and leaders. His dedication to teaching was recognized with the department’s Outstanding Mentor Award in 2024.
 
We are deeply grateful for Mark’s many contributions and wish him a terrific journey as he moves into the next phase of his life.

2026 departmental staff awards

Department News | June 29, 2026

At the department annual meeting on June 17, 2026, we honored 11 members of our staff who have contributed in various ways to the success of our department. A big congratulations to each of them!

Collaborative Impact Award – Katie Osterhage, MMS
The Collaborative Impact Award recognizes individuals who encourage and support an environment where people work together effectively. This year’s winner is Katie Osterhage from the UW Alacrity Center.

“As manager of the UW ALACRITY Center, Katie Osterhage holds together a team of 12 core staff and faculty plus seven teams with more than 40 members, and she does it by building genuine collaboration, not just managing logistics. She excels at highlighting and utilizing our team’s unique strengths while ensuring all members remain focused on common goals, tasks, and priorities. With Katie facilitating, every team member has a voice at the table. Each week, Katie starts our meetings with optional “moments of joy” during which we celebrate professional and personal wins. This activity fosters congeniality, respect, and inclusivity among the team, allowing us to show up as our whole selves and feel valued as team members.”

Mentorship Award – Jodie Buntain-Ricklefs, MPH, MSW
Individuals receiving the department Mentorship Award have engaged in continuous learning and help others grow through mentorship and professional development. This year’s winner is Jodie Buntain-Ricklefs from the SMART Center.

“What I find most remarkable is how Jodie has developed future leaders. She co-created and facilitated a six-month leadership development program for our team, and two staff members who completed it have since transitioned successfully into supervisory roles. That kind of downstream mentorship impact is rare and meaningful. Beyond her formal efforts, Jodie is someone people turn to when things are hard. She navigates difficult conversations with compassion and directness. Her mentorship extends to advocating for staff even when they aren't in the room, ensuring their voices and needs are represented. That quiet, consistent advocacy is itself a form of mentorship at its best.”

Ethics in Action Award – Payton Smythe
The Ethics in Action Award is presented to individuals who model integrity and accountability in their work. They manage resources in a responsible, sound, and transparent manner. This year’s winner is Payton Smythe from the Center for Suicide Prevention and Recovery (CSPAR).

“Payton exemplifies integrity in her work, actions, and communication. She steps in to support colleagues without being asked and works hard to prioritize the collective success of the projects she's part of. She is a team-player who we can consistently rely on both to get the work done, get it done well, to bring up concerns proactively if any come up – all while contributing to a friendly, collaborative, and supportive work environment for everyone around her.”

Public Service Award – Tess Grover
The Public Service Award is presented to Individuals who have demonstrate a desire to go above and beyond expectations, are proactive, and actively contribute to the department's success. This year’s winner is Tess Grover from the Division of Population Health.

“With more than ten years of dedicated service, Tess has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the mission of the department and to the communities served by her work. Her ability to balance scientific rigor with compassion exemplifies public service at its best. Both internal and external colleagues recognize Tess as a trusted, dependable, and empathetic professional. She fosters strong relationships with clinicians, investigators, and community partners, helping to build trust in research institutions and ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience are heard and valued.”

Equity in Action Award – Nicole Morrison Winters
The Equity in Action Award is presented to individuals who build a welcoming and respectful learning and working environment, fold EDI into their work, and for their efforts to promote access and opportunity. This year’s winner is Nicole Morrison Winters from the AIMS Center.

“Nicole has spearheaded AIMS Center efforts to ensure that all of our vast digital content complies with WCAG-2 accessibility standards, a key pillar of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has taught all of our staff how to make a variety of media accessible for people with visual and/or hearing impairment, chaired an accessibility work group, and supervised the conversion of these materials into accessible formats. She was so far out in front of these accessibility efforts that she often asked questions that even the UW Disability Services office hadn't yet considered. Our efforts to be a center that promotes equity in all we do are significantly enhanced by Nicole's efforts.”

Team Excellence Award – Designing Real-World, Effective Approaches for Multilevel Implementation (DREAMI) Team
Groups receiving the Team Excellence Award model what effective teamwork looks like in action. This year’s winner is the SMART Center’s DREAMI team including Roger Goosey; Jodie Buntain-Ricklefs, MPH, MSW; Vaughan Collins, MSW; Taylor Ullrich, MS; Rose Reyes; Aislyn Gordon; and Mahima Joshi, MPH.

“What stands out most about this team is the strong culture of collaboration and shared ownership that has been built together. Team members regularly step outside of their formal roles to support one another, share expertise, and ensure collective success. Whether navigating complex implementation research projects, responding to evolving partner needs, or balancing competing priorities, the team approaches challenges with flexibility, communication, and a willingness to problem-solve together. Over the past years, the team has collaboratively participated in leadership development efforts, team development workshops, strategic planning discussions, and initiatives focused on improving team culture and staff well-being. This team exemplifies excellence not only through what gets accomplished, but through an intentional approach to how it gets accomplished, collaboratively and with inclusion of team-wide perspectives.”

2026 departmental faculty awards

Department News | June 29, 2026

At the department annual meeting on June 17, 2026, we honored 12 members of our faculty who have contributed in various ways to the success of our department. A big congratulations to each of them!

Outstanding Early Career Educator – Matt Iles-Shih, MD, MPH
The Outstanding Early Career Educator Award recognizes an assistant professor level educator for excellence in teaching.​ This year’s winner is Matt Iles-Shih, MD, MPH, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

“Dr. Iles-Shih has shown remarkable dedication to resident education. He previously served as an associate program director and was known to be very approachable and supportive to residents. Residents enjoy working with him clinically, particularly on addiction consult rotations. Dr. Iles-Shih models empathic patient care, demonstrates excellent bedside teaching, is accessible, provides timely feedback, and fosters an inclusive and respectful learning environment.”

Gary J. Tucker Significant Achievement in Education – Jonathan Buchholz, MD
The Gary J. Tucker Significant Achievement ​in Education award recognizes an academic or clinical faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding skills as a teacher and a strong dedication to education throughout their career.​ This year’s winner is Jonathan Buchholz, MD, director of the Addictions Psychiatry Fellowship.

“Dr. Buchholz exemplifies the spirit of the Gary J. Tucker Award through his extraordinary skill as an educator and his unwavering dedication to our department’s teaching mission. He is a beloved and deeply respected clinician‑educator whose work is grounded in advocacy, curiosity, thoughtful clinical engagement, and a profound commitment to social justice. Jonathan’s passion for patient‑centered, evidence‑driven care resonates through every learner he mentors, inspiring admiration and shaping future clinicians with his guidance.”

Outstanding Education Mentor – Mary Larimer, PhD
The Outstanding Education Mentor recognizes a faculty member (from any faculty pathway) in our department who has done an outstanding job mentoring and furthering the careers of faculty members dedicated to our educational mission.  This year’s winner is Mary Larimer, PhD, director of the Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors

“When researchers in the substance use field trace their academic family trees, many roots lead back to Mary Larimer. In nearly 40 years as an educator, Mary has mentored an estimated 70 or more undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, with a steadfast commitment to fostering career development among individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Dr. Larimer creates an environment where people feel safe making mistakes, exploring new ideas, and asking questions and has an extraordinary gift for recognizing strengths in others, even when mentees cannot yet see those strengths in themselves, and for helping them develop those strengths until they shine.”

Outstanding Early Career Clinician – Koriann Cox, PhD
The Outstanding Early Career Clinician Award recognizes an assistant professor level clinician for excellence in clinical care or quality improvement. This year’s winner is Koriann Cox, PhD, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. ​

“Dr. Cox has excelled at coordinating care among multiple specialties, demonstrating expertise and leadership. Other colleagues at LTCC, have recognized her pivotal role in communication and case management. Her most significant contribution is the successful relaunch and co-management of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at NW. She revitalized and expanded the program to provide higher-level care, creating a vital resource for patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks.”

Significant Achievement in Clinical Care – Denise Chang, MD
The Significant Achievement in Clinical Care award recognizes an associate professor or professor for excellence in clinical care or quality improvement.​ This year’s winner is Denise Chang, MD, medical director of the UW Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP).

“Dr. Chang has proven herself to be a thoughtful leader and advocate for our integrated care program, BHIP. She has worked hard on trying to address access and coordination of care, in the dystopian world that is UW Medicine. She wrangles together a diverse set of psychiatrists and works hard on improving our care as demonstrated by the recent QI project around chart note review. Dr. Chang is a true asset to the department and clinical care.”

Outstanding Mentor in Clinical Care – Alison Golombek, MD
The Outstanding Mentor in Clinical Care award recognizes mentoring faculty who are furthering the careers of mentees dedicated to our clinical mission.​ This year’s winner is Alison Golombek, MD, a clinical associate professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

“As the medical director of the Seattle Children's Autism Center (SCAC), Dr. Golombek has been crucial in my career development trajectory, leading to an innovative and timely focus on care for children with neurogenetic syndromes. Dr. Golombek’s support shows incredible foresight into the needs of our most vulnerable patients, the future of psychiatry and the power of championing mentees. Her enthusiasm, candor, humor and encyclopedic clinical knowledge are sincerely appreciated.”

Outstanding Early Career Researcher – Katherine Walukevich-Dienst, PhD
The Outstanding Early Career Research Award recognizes an assistant professor level scientist who has demonstrated outstanding skills or impact as a researcher.​ This year’s winner is Katherin Walukevich-Dienst, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

“Dr. Walukevich-Dienst is an exceptional early-career researcher who exemplifies PBSCI’s mission of conducting rigorous science with real-world impact on human problems, particularly in young adult substance misuse. She is innovative, productive (57 peer reviewed publications, 18 first author), and committed to conducting clinically relevant research. She has established two novel research programs, secured NIH funding, and disseminated her research while remaining actively engaged in clinical practice. Dr. Walukevich-Dienst is an excellent mentor and wonderful colleague and exemplifies all the qualities of an exceptional early-career scholar.”

Significant Achievement in Research, Scholarship, and Innovation – Susan Collins, PhD
The Significant Achievement in Research, Scholarship, and Innovation award recognizes associate professors or professors for outstanding skills as a researcher.​ This year’s winner is Susan Collins, PhD, co-director of the Harm Reduction Research and Treatment (HaRRT) Center.

“Dr. Collins is a fierce advocate, brilliant scientist, and deeply ethical leader whose harm reduction research has changed the landscape of substance use treatment. Her work not only advances science but also improves the lives of people who are often left out of traditional care systems. She has worked alongside people experiencing homelessness and substance use for nearly two decades, and her commitment to meeting people where they are is unwavering.”

Wayne J. Kayton Outstanding Research Mentor Award – Mary Hatch, PhD & Jason Kilmer, PhD
The Wayne J. Katon Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to fostering the creative, scholarly, professional and personal development of their mentees.​ This year’s winners are Mary Hatch, PhD and Jason Kilmer, PhD.

“Dr. Hatch is very approachable and a highly skilled researcher. She does a great job of guiding new researchers along every step of the way.”

“Dr. Kilmer is truly a one-of-a kind educator. He has dedicated his professional life to understanding and promoting health for adolescents and young adults. Jason is an extremely dedicated, exciting, and effective teacher and mentor, as evidenced by his outstanding teaching evaluations. He engages students through humor and passion, often making his lectures the most memorable of many students’ careers. Dr. Kilmer is an example for how our field should strive to teach and disseminate evidence-based interventions and therapies.”

Significant Achievement in Policy, Advocacy, and Community Impact – Sarah Kopelovich, PhD
The Significant Achievement in Policy, Advocacy, ​and Community Impact award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated significant achievement in policy, advocacy, or community impact.​ This year’s winner is Sarah Kopelovich, PhD, a professor in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

“Dr. Kopelovich has fundamentally transformed the landscape of care for individuals with serious mental illness and their families. She founded and directs the statewide Centralized Assessment of Psychosis Service (CAPS), providing free psychodiagnostic assessment and referral services to individuals with suspected psychosis. She and her team have trained dozens of organizations across the state in CBTp-based interventions, including practitioners at public mental health organizations and psychiatric inpatient units. She co-founded Washington state’s first Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis, dedicated to advancing screening and care for individuals with early psychosis in our state. Nationally, Dr. Kopelovich is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on CBTp and CBTp-informed interventions, and has trained over 1,000 caregivers of individuals with psychosis through her Psychosis REACH Program.”

Significant Achievement in Collaboration – Seema Clifasefi, PhD, MSW
The Significant Achievement in Collaboration award recognizes a faculty member in our department who has demonstrated exceptional collaboration, including outstanding achievement through collaboration or providing ongoing excellence through effective collaboration. This year’s winner is Seema Clifasefi, PhD, MSW, co-director of the Harm Reduction Research and Treatment (HaRRT) Center.

“Across all of Dr. Clifasefi's community, academic and nonprofit partnerships, she has built programs serving the public good, contributed to the research literature, but most important, she has led the transformation of systems. Her partnership model ensures equity, shared power, and community self-determination while producing measurable impact on homelessness, substance use treatment, and justice reform. Like many of you, I look to Dr. Clifasefi as a role model for how to collaborate and further beneficience, compassion and justice for our patients, our programs, and our broader community.”

Tessa Frohe receives Academy Health Mosaic Award

Department News | June 29, 2026

Congratulations to Tessa Frohe, PhD and her colleagues at Research with Expert Advisors on Drug Use (READU) who have been honored with the prestigious Mosaic Award from Academy Health. The Mosaic Award recognizes organized groups within health services and policy research that have created a more welcoming experience and sense of community for employees and/or members with a diversity of backgrounds and experience.
 
Research with Expert Advisors on Drug Use (READU) is a community-based research team whose members include researchers with lived and living experience of drug use and other academic staff and students who are passionate about improving services for people who use drugs. Since its founding in 2022, READU has worked on a variety of projects focused on reducing stigma and improving services for people who experience overdose in King County. In addition to supporting compassionate, evidence-based public health policy, READU works to forge strong community partnerships and expand opportunities for bi-directional learning between students and researchers with lived experience.   
 
Read more about READU and the Mosaic Award

Jennifer Piel recognized with APA O’Leary Award

Department News | June 29, 2026

Congratulations to Jennifer Piel, MD, JD who was recognized with the O'Leary Award for Innovation in Psychiatry at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting, which took place last month in San Francisco.
 
The O’Leary Award – which provides seed money to launch innovative ideas in mental and behavioral health – is named for the late Dr. Paul J. O’Leary, MD whose mantra was “Never worry alone.” Dr. O’Leary served as APA assembly speaker, as a member of the APA Committee on Advocacy and Litigation Funding, as a member of the APA Political Action Committee Board of Directors, and as a member of the APA Delegation to the American Medical Association.

Dror Ben-Zeev profiled by the NIH Fogarty International Center

Department News | April 30, 2026

Dror Ben-Zeev, PhD, director of the BRiTE Center, is profiled in the Fogarty International Center’s March/April edition of Global Health Matters about his work in West Africa to improve treatment and reduce symptom severity for people with serious mental illness.

In 2017, Dr. Ben-Zeev saw news coverage of the plight of people with serious mental illness in West Africa. “I'm a pretty unflappable person,” he said, “but seeing the footage of men, women, and children chained and shackled to concrete slabs or to trees — or being intentionally harmed — was jarring.”

Dr. Ben-Zeev read widely about this topic and then traveled to West Africa and the University of Ghana where he met Professor Angela Ofori Atta — who would later become his co-PI — and began to refine his ideas around what a digital health researcher might do to make things better. Read the story here

CBHL named in honor of Frank Chopp

Department News | April 30, 2026

We are proud to announce that on April 28, UW Medicine officially dedicated the newly named Frank Chopp Center for Behavioral Health and Learning. The new name was approved by the UW Board of Regents to honor the visionary leadership and legacy of former state Rep. Frank Chopp, who was a member of the Washington Legislature for 30 years. Chopp was also the longest serving Speaker of the House of Representatives in state history and a primary sponsor of the legislation to provide funding for the construction of the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning.
 
In his leadership role, Chopp recognized the need for greater access to behavioral health services in our state. At the opening of the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning last year, he spoke  about his own sister’s struggle with mental illness and his gratitude for the care and support she received from her family and her UW Medicine caregivers. By creating a new inpatient care and teaching facility with state funding and in partnership with UW Medicine, he looked forward to bringing supportive care and treatment advances to patients and their families for generations to come. Chopp passed away in March 2025 at the age of 71.
 
During the official dedication, new exterior building signage was unveiled along with a plaque including a tribute to Chopp near the ground floor elevators. Department Chair Jürgen Unützer, MD, MPH, MA made remarks, as did a number of state and local elected leaders and Chopp’s wife, Nancy Long. She can be seen in the above photo as Dr. Unützer and Ian Goodhew, JD unveil the plaque in Chopp’s honor.
 
In honor of Rep. Chopp, our department plans to establish a Chopp Scholars Program in Behavioral Health Policy that will help train clinicians working in behavioral health in Health Policy. Chopp Scholars will have opportunities to meet and work with UW Medicine government relations team and/or state legislators, complete an independent self-directed behavioral health policy project, participate in networking  dinners and events with health policy experts, and become part of a state-wide network of clinicians engaged in behavioral health policy. Please reach out to Andie Uomoto, MPA (uomotoa@uw.edu) or David Chow (chowd@uw.edu) if you would like to learn more about this program.