Welcome to the History of the Psychiatry Department of the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus!

Since its establishment, the Psychiatry Department has played a pivotal role in shaping the mental health landscape in Puerto Rico. Our department has a legacy of excellence and a commitment to advancing psychiatric knowledge, research, and clinical care. It all began with a vision to improve the mental health of Puerto Rico through education, research, and cutting-edge clinical care.

During the School Year 1952-1953, the Section of Psychiatry was introduced within the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico under the Department of Medicine to teach second and third-year medical students.

In June 1958, the Department of  Psychiatry was created, integrating the teaching of psychiatry within its four-year medical curriculum. The same year, a four-year Psychiatric Residency Program was initiated and has been fully accredited by the ACGME since. The last report as a continued full accreditation was on 2/10/2023.

In 1964, a fellowship program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, also fully accredited, was added. The last report as a continued full accreditation was on 2/10/2023. Presently it is one of two fellowship training programs in Puerto Rico in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry serving the needs of our population.

Our Department is part of the University of Puerto Rico Hospital Dr. Federico Trilla at Carolina, the primary teaching clinical facility where we cover emergency room services (ER), consult and liaison (C/L), a 20-bed Psychiatric adult inpatient unit, and an eight-bed stabilization unit. Our adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinics are located at the Medical Science Campus at the Medical Center of Puerto Rico. Our affiliated clinical and teaching facilities include Hospital UPR Federico Trilla, Hospital Panamericano en Cidra, Hospital San Juan Capestrano, Hospital CIMA Menonita, Hospital Pediátrico Universitario (HOPU), Hospital ASEM – Centro de Trauma, and Hospital Pavía.

Throughout our history, we have witnessed the growth and evolution of the field of psychiatry, and our department has been a crucial member at the forefront of these advancements. Our esteemed faculty members have contributed to groundbreaking research, published influential studies, and pioneered culturally adapted treatment approaches.

We have continuously strived to enhance mental health services in Puerto Rico and promote the well-being of individuals and communities. The dedication and passion of our faculty, staff, and students characterize the journey of our department. Their commitment to excellence has earned us a reputation as a leading institution in psychiatric education, research, and clinical care.

As we reflect on our history, we acknowledge and honor the contributions of those who have shaped our department into what it is today. We express gratitude to all the individuals who have dedicated their time, knowledge, and expertise to improve mental health outcomes in Puerto Rico.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the History of the Psychiatry Department at the University of Puerto Rico. Together, we look forward to shaping the future of psychiatric care and making a lasting impact on the mental health landscape in Puerto Rico.

 

Dr. González-Manriquez
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Psychiatry Department