Marcia Valenstein, M.D., Honored as Inaugural Susan Crumpacker Brown Research Professor in Depression

The University of Michigan Regents just approved a brand new Susan Crumpacker Brown Research Professorship in Depression. Marcia Valenstein, M.D., M.S., Professor of Psychiatry, has been named as the inaugural Susan Crumpacker Brown Professor. Dr. Valenstein has been with the department since 1989 and her work has focused on assessing and improving the quality of mental health services, with an emphasis on improving care for depression. Her research has included studies on the quality of mental health care, medication adherence, suicide, and peer support and outreach. She has had an interest in community based participatory research, measurement-based care and supporting primary care physicians in their treatment of depression and anxiety. The professorship was made possible through the generosity of Susan Crumpacker Brown. Susan Brown ("63), together with her husband Robert Brown (also "63), has served as a volunteer leader for dozens of areas across the University, including the Victors for Michigan Depression Center Campaign Council. The Browns' dedication earned them the 2009 David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership and the inaugural University of Michigan Health System Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2015. Susan Brown is a strong advocate for reducing stigma and increasing access to care for people with depression and other mental health conditions. She was the driving force for establishing the Kalamazoo Collaborative Care Project, a collaboration between the U-M Depression Center and the Kalamazoo community with a shared purpose to improve access to mental health care for adults. She has been instrumental in shining a light on the disease of depression and erasing the stigma that causes so many people with mental illness to suffer in silence. "Our department is delighted to have received this generous gift from Susan Brown," said Gregory Dalack, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry. 'susan's passion and commitment aligns directly with the department's goals to lead and collaborate in the reduction of disease risk, promote mental health and well-being across the lifespan, and to help individuals with mental illness achieve their highest potential." The gift will be used to support Dr. Valenstein, who has expertise in collaborative care models that improve access to mental and behavioral health care. Learn more about Dr. Valenstein here.