Greetings from the Department Chair Lisa Fortuna

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the UC Riverside School of Medicine.

Since our founding in 2014, our department has grown into a dynamic, mission-driven academic program grounded in a strong commitment to the communities of Inland Southern California. We have built a diverse and highly engaged group of clinical and research faculty dedicated to advancing mental health care, education, and science in a region where the need is both significant and complex.

Our department brings together Psychiatry and Neurology to provide comprehensive, coordinated care across the lifespan. As the only university-based academic program in Riverside County, we serve as both a clinical and community anchor—expanding access to care while developing innovative, population-focused approaches that respond to real-world needs.

A central focus of our work is public psychiatry. We are deeply engaged in building systems of care that reach individuals and families across community, school, and primary care settings. Our clinical programs span a wide range of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s disorder, bipolar disorder, and treatment-resistant conditions. In Neurology, we provide specialized care in multiple sclerosis, stroke, movement disorders, neuromuscular conditions, and headache. Across all areas, we are advancing new models of care, including telehealth, school-linked services, and community-partnered programs.

Research is a core pillar of our department. Through our work in community-engaged research, health services innovation, and digital mental health, we are developing and testing approaches that can be implemented and sustained in the settings where patients receive care. Our goal is not only to generate knowledge, but to translate that knowledge into meaningful improvements in clinical practice and systems of care.

Education remains central to our mission. Our psychiatry residency and fellowship programs are designed to prepare the next generation of clinicians to deliver thoughtful, evidence-based, and culturally informed care. We emphasize training across diverse clinical and community settings, strong mentorship, and a learning environment that supports both professional growth and well-being. Our child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship reflects our deep commitment to addressing the needs of youth and families.

At the heart of our work is partnership—with patients, families, schools, community organizations, and health systems. We believe that meaningful progress in mental health requires clinical excellence, innovation, and sustained collaboration.

Sincerely,

Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH, MDiv
Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience