Head of Department of Psychiatry announcement (effective 28 February 2019)

Professor Bernhard Baune, Cato Chair & Head of Department of Psychiatry and Co-Head, Mental Health Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health has resigned effective 28 February 2019.

Bernhard will be returning to Germany as Director of the University Hospital of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics and a leadership role of a new Mental Health Research Institute at the University of Muenster.  Since his commencement at the Melbourne Medical School in August 2018, Bernhard has made a very positive contribution to the School and to Psychiatry, particularly in the areas of strategy and governance and we wish him well.

In the interim Professor Nicola Lautenschlager, as Deputy Head of Department, will assume the role of Interim Head of Department, from 1 March 2019 with full executive capacity and delegation. The recruitment to the substantive position will commence as soon as possible. Nicola has the full support of the Executive and I am sure she will continue to lead the exceptional performance of the Department.

Professor John Prins, Head, Melbourne Medical School