History of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences

The Department of Psychiatry was established in 1967 by Dr. Nathan Epstein, who was recruited from Montreal to assist Dr. John Evans in the founding of the new medical school at McMaster University. Individuals from around the world were recruited to form a new department of psychiatry to provide educational offerings and clinical consultation and services in local hospital inpatient and outpatient settings. In 1969, a pilot project entitled, "The Field Unit" was created to prepare the community for the arrival of the McMaster Medical Centre and Faculty of Health Sciences in the early 70s. Extensive and important linkages were formed with local organizations and agencies, and innovative clinical and educational programs were developed by a staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, who provided counseling, program consultation and in-house training. With the building of the Master Medical Centre in 1972, the Unit was disbanded with many of the staff redeployed to various hospital and clinic services.

Following Dr. Epstein’s tenure, stewardship of Dr. Jock Cleghorn led to the refinement of a network of clinical services, including novel delivery systems which were recognized as a model for others. Significant curriculum and administrative enhancements were made to our postgraduate and postprofessional educational programs, and 1989 saw the creation of an annual research day to showcase the breadth of research taking place across the department. Other significant developments during these years were the creation of the Clinical Investigator Training Program, and the establishment of the Child Psychiatry Research Centre (now the Offord Centre for Child Studies).

In the mid 90s, our academic chair assumed the role of Chief of Psychiatry at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital.

This role provided opportunities to reorganize services and enhance academic developments within the hospital. A significant achievement was marked by the awarding of the "Gold Medal Award" by the American Psychiatric Services to the hospital’s Mood Disorders Program.

In 1998, the Department’s research and educational programs were further enriched with the addition of a number of basic science faculty who were redeployed through the reorganization of the Department of Biomedical Sciences. To recognize the expertise and contributions of these individuals, in addition to those of a number of social and behavioural scientists already in the department, our name was formally changed to Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences.

In 1999, in response to a recommendation from the Health Restructuring Committee, the Department’s administrative offices vacated their McMaster Medical Centre home and relocated to St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Fontbonne Site. The divestment of the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton in November 2002 provided an exciting and unique opportunity for the Department to participate in the reshaping and refinement of the delivery of clinical services. Further restructuring occurring within local hospital systems has resulted in the formation of an integrated mental health program for the region.

In 2007, to better integrate the roles of Chair and Hospital Chief, the Academic Department relocated to the Joseph’s Healthcare Centre for Mountain Health Services, and in 2008, Chair, Dr. Robert Zipursky, was appointed as Vice President, Integrated Mental Health and Addiction Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and Hamilton Health Sciences.

Effective January 2012, Dr. Nick Kates takes over the leadership of the academic department as Interim Chair; Dr. Joseph Ferencz will act as Interim Chief of Psychiatry, and Mr. Romeo Cercone, Interim VP Mental Health and Addiction Program.

For over 40 years, the academic department has played a key role in attracting and recruiting excellent academic and clinical resources to staff the programs and services of our hospital partners.