Newswise — Dr. Murali S. Rao has been named chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
"I am pleased that Dr. Rao has accepted our offer to lead the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences," said Dr. Richard Gamelli, dean, Stritch School of Medicine. "I look forward to working with Dr. Rao to build a strong department and strengthen the working relationships among our clinical and basic science departments and institutes as well as at the Hines VA Hospital."
Rao replaces Dr. Angelos Halaris, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at Stritch, who stepped down to become assistant dean of research.
"I view this as a great opportunity to guide this department in the same innovative direction in research, education and clinical care as the rest of Loyola," Rao said. "This year has been a year of changes, integration and new directions. It's exciting to be a part of that process."
A resident of Downer Grove, Rao began his affiliation with Loyola in 2000 as an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences. Since coming to Loyola, Rao has served in a number of administrative leadership roles including vice chair of the department of psychiatry and twice as interim chair, director of geriatric psychiatry services. He also served as director of consultation-liaison & ER services as well as acting mental health service line manager at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Rao received his medical degree in 1972 from Mysore Medical College in India. He did his psychiatry residency at Southern Illinois School of Medicine and at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Wisconsin where he was the chief resident.
Dr. Rao is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, fellow of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, fellow of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum and a fellow of the American College of Forensic Psychiatry. He is board certified in geriatric psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine and addiction medicine.
Rao actively participates in many hospital and medical school committees and has made a number of presentations and published dozens of articles in peer-reviewed journals.
RSS