Please Note: This program will be held Virtually via Zoom Video Livestream. All program times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time
Mass General Brigham’s Medical Psychiatry: Comprehensive Update conference is becoming a leading venue for showcasing advances in the application of medical psychiatry. The 2026 course will be held virtually over four days: Thursday, September 17th, through Sunday, September 20th, 2026.
Medical Psychiatry, or Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (CL), is an exciting and rapidly growing field that is at the forefront of integrated medical and psychiatric practice in both the general hospital and outpatient settings. Providers specialize in the treatment of acute psychiatric disorders, including those at the interface of medicine and psychiatry, such as delirium, catatonia, neurocognitive disorders, and complications of psychiatric illness or interventions. There is a focus on the evaluation and comprehensive treatments, including psychopharmacologic and psychological therapies of patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms that may result from medical, surgical, gynecologic, and oncologic illness, as well as patients with primary psychiatric illness complicated by medical disease.
This course is designed to enhance participants' knowledge and skills for diagnostic workup and treatment of patients suffering from both psychiatric and medical disorders. Course material will review cutting-edge clinical research, evidence-based interventions, and practical guidelines for clinicians and trainees. The course content will include the process of psychiatric assessment and consultation in the medical setting, including novel deliveries of care, management of challenging psychiatric presentations in the inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings, treatment of substance use in the medical setting, and non-pharmacological interventions.
There will also be the opportunity to discuss the psychiatric impact and management of patients in specialty settings, including burn/trauma, neuropsychiatry, addiction, critical care, cardiology, oncology, transplant, women's mental health, and other areas. This course also provides an opportunity for a comprehensive review before the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology specialty board exams, which are being held later this year. Learners will benefit from a variety of educational formats, including lectures, case discussions, question and answer sessions, and an electronic syllabus.
MDs/Doctoral-Level Professionals:
Super Early Bird Registration (before June 30, 2026) $800
Early Bird Registration (before August 14, 2026) $900
Regular Registration (after August 15, 2026): $1000
RN/APRN, PAs, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Other Allied Health Professionals:
Super Early Bird Registration (before June 30, 2026) $600
Early Bird Registration (before August 14, 2026) $700
Regular Registration (after August 15, 2026): $800
Residents/Fellows/Students/Interns:
Super Early Bird Registration (before June 30, 2026) $400
Early Bird Registration (before August 14, 2026) $500
Regular Registration (after August 15, 2026): $600
Group discounts are available upon request
You must create a free account through the MGH Psychiatry Academy to register for this event. MGH Psychiatry Academy accounts are not limited to MGH employees. We welcome attendees from around the world and from any organization.
We provide all attendees with completely free access to all slide presentations in digital PDF format prior to the conference. This is an environmentally friendly alternative and helps keep costs lower for all attendees. The e-syllabus will be available for 30 days after the conference.
All sessions will be recorded. Registered participants will have access to these recordings for 30 days once they are posted after the conference to review at their convenience.
A refund minus a $100.00 administrative fee will be issued for refund requests received by August 29, 2026. Payments made may not be applied to future conferences or other educational activities. There are no exceptions to these policies.
This course is targeted to Specialty Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists, and Primary Care Physicians.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 26.25 CE credits.
Physicians
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 26.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
Physician Associates/Assistants
MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 26.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Nursing
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 26.25 contact hours for nurses. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 26.25 clock hours for continuing education credits.
Pharmacist (ACPE)
This activity provides 26.25 contact hours (1.0 CEUs) of continuing education credit. ACPE Universal Activity Number UAN JA4008265-0000-24-000-L04-P
NOTE FOR PHARMACISTS: Upon closing of the electronic evaluation, MGH IHP will upload the pharmacy-related continuing education information to CPE Monitor within 60 days. Per ACPE rules, MGH IHP does not have access to or the ability to upload credits requested after the evaluation closes. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist or pharmacy technician to provide the correct information [NABP ePID and DOB (in MMDD format)] in order to receive credit for participating in a CE activity.
IPCE Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 26.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Agenda
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
DAY ONE
8:45-8:50 AM | Welcome & Introductory Remarks |
8:50-9:00 AM | Chair's Welcome: Consultation Liaison Psychiatry and Its Value |
MODULE TOPIC 1: Core Clinical Skills: Consultation, Formulation, and Ethics | |
9:00-9:45 AM | Psychiatric Consultation in the Medical/Surgical Setting: The Art of the Consult |
9:45-10:30 AM | Applying Psychosocial Formulation and Intervention in Complex Clinical Settings |
10:30-11:00 AM | Difficult Capacity Assessments: Ethical and Legal Considerations |
11:00-11:15 AM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator: TBD) |
11:15-11:30 AM | Break |
MODULE TOPIC 2: Acute Psychiatric Syndromes: Assessment and Intervention in the General Hospital | |
11:30 AM-12:15 PM | Management of Agitation in the Medical Setting |
12:15-1:15 PM | Psychiatric Emergencies: Catatonia, NMS, Serotonin Syndrome |
1:15-1:30 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
1:30-2:30 PM | Lunch |
MODULE 3: System-Level Strategies for Psychiatric Crisis Management | |
2:30-3:30 PM | Acute Psychiatric Management and ED Boarding |
3:30-4:00 PM | Suicide Risk Assessment |
4:00-4:45 PM | Management of Behavioral Outbursts in Developmentally Delayed Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults in the Hospital Setting |
4:45-5:00 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
5:00-5:05 PM | Closing Remarks |
Friday, September 18, 2026
DAY TWO
8:55-9:00 AM | Welcome & Introductory Remarks |
MODULE 4: Cardiac Risk in CL Psychiatry: ECGs, QTc, and Psychotropic Medications | |
9:00-9:30 AM | ECG Interpretation for the CL Psychiatrist |
9:30-10:00 AM | QTc Prolongation: Risk Stratification and Mitigation for Challenging Clinical Cases |
10:00-10:30 AM | QTc Prolongation: Overview of Medications |
10:30-10:45 AM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
10:45-11:00 AM | Break |
MODULE 5: Psychiatric Care in the Critically Ill: Delirium and Beyond | |
11:00-11:30 AM | Critical Care Psychiatry |
11:30 AM-12:15 PM | Delirium: Pathophysiology, Prevention and Treatment |
12:15-12:30 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
12:30-1:30 PM | Lunch |
MODULE 6: Managing Psychiatric Syndromes in Reproductive and Eating Disorders | |
1:30-2:15 PM | Pharmacological Considerations in Pregnancy |
2:15-3:00 PM | Medically Unstable Eating Disorder |
3:00-3:45 PM | Management of Substance Use Disorders in Pregnancy |
3:45-4:30 PM | PMDD/Menopause |
4:30-4:45 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
4:45-4:55 PM
| Closing Remarks |
Saturday, September 19, 2026
DAY THREE
8:55-9:00 AM | Welcome & Introductory Remarks |
MODULE 7: Psychiatric Care in Medically Complex and Trauma-Affected Patients | |
9:00-9:45 AM | Comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment of Transplant |
9:45-10:15 AM | Care of Complicated Burn and Trauma Patient |
10:15-10:45 AM | Trauma-Informed Care in the Hospital Setting |
10:45-11:00 AM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
11:00-11:15 AM | Break |
MODULE 8: Managing Substance Use, Pain, and Addiction in Medically Complex Care | |
11:15-11:45 AM | Management of Substance Use Disorders in the Medical Setting |
11:45 AM-12:30 PM | KEYNOTE SPEAKER: GLP-1s & Management of Substance Use Disorders |
12:30-12:45 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
12:45-2:00 PM | Lunch |
MODULE 9: Psychiatry at the End of Life: Cancer, Cognition, and Complex Decisions | |
2:00-2:45 PM | Psycho-Oncology Primer |
2:45-3:15 PM | Management at the End of Life |
3:15-3:45 PM | Neurocognitive Effects from Chemotherapy |
3:45-4:15 PM | Medical Aid in Dying |
4:15-4:30 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
4:30-4:35 PM | Closing Remarks TBD |
Sunday, September 20, 2026
DAY FOUR
8:55-9:00 AM | Welcome & Introductory Remarks |
MODULE 10: Collaborative Psychiatric Care in Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Disorders | |
9:00-9:30 AM | Psychiatric Disorders in Gastrointestinal Diseases |
9:30-10:15 AM | Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders: A Medical Psychiatry Focus |
10:15-10:30 AM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
10:30-10:45 AM | Break |
MODULE 11: Neuropsychiatric Syndromes in Autoimmune and Infectious Diseases | |
10:45-11:30 AM | Inflammation, Autoimmune Disorders, and Psychiatric Illness |
11:30 AM-12:15 PM | Neuropsychiatric Manifestations and Pharmacologic Considerations in HIV and Other Infectious Disorders |
12:15-12:30 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
12:30-1:30 PM | Lunch |
MODULE 12: Neuropsychiatry in Medical Settings: From Dementia to Functional Disorders | |
1:30-2:15 PM | Neurocognitive Impairment and Dementia: Clinical Principles and Bedside Assessment |
2:15-2:45 PM | Epilepsy and Stroke |
2:45-3:15 PM | Neuropsychiatry of Movement Disorders |
3:15-3:45 PM | Functional Neurologic and Somatoform Disorders: Assessment and Management |
3:45-4:00 PM | Panel Discussion - Q&A (Moderator- TBD) |
4:00-4:10 PM | Closing Remarks |
On-Demand Courses
Interface of Pain and Addiction in CL (Length 30 min) |
Counseling around the Use of Medical Cannabis (Length 30 min) |
Medical Psychiatry: Comprehensive Update features Harvard Medical School faculty and prominent experts and leaders in their field. The course is led by:
Adrienne Taylor, MD
Associate Director, BWH/BWFH Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service
Program Director, BWH Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship
Division of Psychiatry in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Sejal Shah, MD
Associate Chief, Division of Psychiatry in Medicine
Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Linda Herrera Santos, MD, PhD
Associate Program Director, MGH Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship
Director, MGH Hispanic Psychiatry Clinic
Division of Psychiatry in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
David Silbersweig, MD
Chairman Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Stanley Cobb, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Natasha Fedotova, MD, PhD
Associate Program Director, BWH Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship
Division of Psychiatry in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Mass General Brigham
Instructor in Psychiatry. Harvard Medical School
Gaston Baslet, MD
Neuropsychiatry, Bruce W. Carter, VA Medical Center, Miami, FL
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Boston, MA
Scott Beach, MD
Psychiatrist, MGH Acute Psychiatric and Psychiatric Consultation Service
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Sarah Bernstein, MD
Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Medical Director of Outpatient Obstetrics
Obstetrical Director of the MGH HOPE Clinic, Mass General Brigham
Jhilam Biswas, MD
Director, Psychiatry, Law, and Society Program
Co-director, Harvard Mass General Brigham Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
Consult Liaison Psychiatry Clinical Lead, Forensic Psychiatry
Mass General Brigham Academic Medical Center
Instructor Part-Time, Harvard Medical School
Maureen Cassady, MD
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Associate Psychiatrist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Christopher Celano, MD
Associate Director, Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program, MGH
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Carlos Fernandez-Robles, MD, MBA
Chief Of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital
Vice-Chair BWFH, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Margo Funk, MD, MA
Director, Cardiovascular Psychiatry Program
Director, BWH-HMS Psychiatry Residency Training Program
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Usman Ghumman, MD, MPH
Director of Autism-Depression Comorbidity, Bressler Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Dave Gitlin, MD
Attending Psychiatrist
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Catherine Gonzalez, MD
Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, Brigham & Women's Hospital
Medical Director of Faculty, Trainee & Employee Mental Health, Brigham & Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
John Grimaldi, MD
Associate Medical Director, Brigham Psychiatric Specialties
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Rishab Gupta, MD
Associate Psychiatrist, Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
Staff Neuropsychiatrist, Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
David B. Hathaway, MD
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Board Certification, Addiction Psychiatry
Boston Medical Center
Fellowship, Addiction Psychiatry
Boston Medical Center, Residency, Psychiatry
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Medical School
Michelle Jacobo, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Director, Psychology DFCI
Clinical Director, Supportive Oncology
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Hadine Joffe, MD, MSc
Paula A. Johnson, Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Women's Health
Harvard Medical School
Executive Director, Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women's Health
Department of Psychiatry
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dept. of Supportive Oncology / Breast Cancer Program
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Connors Center / WHARP Research
Youngjung Rachel Kim, MD, PhD
Klarman Eating Disorders Center, McLean Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Nomi C Levy-Carrick, MD, MPhil
Vice Chair, Clinical Services, Mass General Brigham AMC Department of Psychiatry
Medical Director, Critical Illness Recovery Program
Co-Chair, BWH Trauma-Informed Care Learning Collaborative
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Stanley Lyndon, MD
Co-Director | Center for Brain/Mind Medicine
Medical Director | Division of Neuropsychiatry
Neuropsychiatry Lead | Division of Medical Psychiatry
Director of Education | TMS | Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics
Co-Director | Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program
Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Harvard Medical School
Scott McGinnis, MD
Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, and Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Fremonta Meyer, MD, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Director, Transplant Psychiatry Services, BWH
Director, Medical Student Education in Psychiatry, BWH/HMS
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, HMS
Damien Miran, MD, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Clinical Director, DFCI Inpatient Psychiatry Consult Service
Department of Supportive Oncology
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Ashwini Nadkarni, MD, BWH Psychiatry
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Interim Vice Chair, Faculty Affairs, Department of Psychiatry, BWH
Associate Medical Director, Brigham Psychiatric Specialties
John Peteet, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Nathan Praschan, MD, MPH, BWH Psychiatry
Associate Neuropsychiatrist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Co-Director, Brigham and Women's Hospital Fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry
Director, Advanced Consult-Liaison Psychiatry Clerkship, Harvard Medical School
Zachary Sager, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Palliative Medicine Physician
Department of Supportive Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Instructor, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Naomi A, Schmelzer, MD, BWH Psychiatry
Director of Medical Psychiatry | Department of Psychiatry | Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital
Roxanne Sholevar, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Staff Psychiatrist, Department of Supportive Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Felicia Smith, MD
Associate Chief of Psychiatry for MGH Division of Psychiatry & Medicine
Chief, Avery D. Weisman, MD, Psychiatry Consultation Service
Director, MGH ID Psychiatry
Director, Division of Addiction Psychiatry
Program Director, BWH Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Polina Teslyar, MD
Director, Women's Mental Health and Reproductive Psychiatry Fellowship, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham & Women's Hospital
Instructor, Harvard Medical School
Claire Twark, MD, BWH Psychiatry
Instructor, Harvard Medical School; Associate Psychiatrist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Daniel Weisholtz, MD, BWH Psychiatry
Associate Neurologist, BWH/MGB
Assistant Professor of Neurology, HMS
Susan Sprich, PhD, APA Content Reviewer
Jane Davis, CRNP, DNP, Nurse Content Reviewer
MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award 26.25 credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 26.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until then end of this course. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of McLean Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. McLean Hospital is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
McLean Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 26.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.
This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 26.25 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit.
Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.The Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
The Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This offering meets the criteria for 26.25 Continuing Education (CE) credits per presentation for psychologists.
Adrienne Taylor, MD
Sejal Shah, MD
David Silbersweig, MD
Natalia Fedotova, MD, PhD
We have a dedicated staff member who is available by phone 5 days per week between 8 am and 5 pm by calling 866-644-7792 or email at mghcme@mgh.harvard.edu. All inquiries will be dealt with in a timely (within one business day) and professional manner. Requests for credits or refunds will be reviewed by the Director of the Division of Professional and Public Education, Massachusetts General Hospital. Please refer to our cancellation policy for additional information.”