About
The Massachusetts General Hospital Center of Excellence (COE) for Psychosocial and Systemic Research was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in 2018. Our Center highlights the current, increased awareness of the central role of psychosocial approaches to treatment, prevention, illness management, and recovery in mental health.
In addition to spearheading numerous pilot studies, the COE executes quality improvement and research projects that are driven by community priorities and needs.
Visit our Community Collaborations page and our Peer-Led Projects page to learn more.

Our Mission
The COE is guided by the core objectives of:
Implementing research and quality improvement projects.
Developing interventions for individuals—as well as family members of individuals—who are at risk for/experiencing mental health challenges.
Training a new generation of providers and researchers in evidence-based practices.
Remediating healthcare disparities for at-risk populations.
Involvement of Persons with Lived Experience

We promote collaboration between researchers, recovery communities, and stakeholder groups by partnering with Peer Consultants (PCs), who are persons in recovery from mental health challenges and/or substance misuse. PCs identify and address the priorities, needs, and experiences of individuals with mental health challenges, and they are empowered to develop and implement projects with support from COE staff.
Steering Committee
The COE has convened a Steering Committee comprised of persons with lived experience, their family members, and professionals who work in mental health. The Steering Committee meets quarterly and guides us on how to engage individuals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, promote quality improvement initiatives, and develop our annual research agenda. We often seek assistance from the Steering Committee in disseminating research findings to key stakeholder groups.
LEADERSHIP

Corinne Cather, PhD
CENTER DIRECTOR,
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY

Alex S. Keuroghlian, MD, MPH
STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY

Anne Whitman, PhD, CPS
SENIOR PEER CONSULTANT

Abigail Donovan, MD
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY

A. Eden Evins, MD, MPH
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY

Oliver Freudenreich, MD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY

Daphne Holt, MD, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY

Kim Mueser, PhD
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
STAFF

Cheryl Foo, PhD
CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOW

Arundati Nagendra, PhD
RESEARCH FELLOW

Kamila Bhiku, BS
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR III

Julia London, BA
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR II

Stephanie Shou, BA
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CONSULTANTS

Paul Alves, CARC, NCPRSS, MAPGS
PEER CONSULTANT

Valeria Chambers, CPS, EdM, CAS
PEER CONSULTANT

Stan Langston
PEER CONSULTANT

Sharina Jones
PEER CONSULTANT

Ryan Markley, BA, CPS
PEER CONSULTANT

Cynthia Piltch, PhD
PEER CONSULTANT

Jacqueline Martinez, FPS, CPS
PEER CONSULTANT

Sandra Whitney-Sarles, MS, CPS, COAPS
PEER CONSULTANT
EMERITUS STAFF

Derri Shtasel, MD, MPH
LEADERSHIP

Diana Arntz, PhD
RESEARCH FELLOW

Julia Browne, PhD
RESEARCH FELLOW

Katia Canenguez, PhD
RESEARCH FELLOW

Abigail Wright, PhD
RESEARCH FELLOW

Katherine Kritikos, MPH
PROGRAM MANAGER

Lisa LeFeber, BA
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Hannah Skiest, BA
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Vanya Zvonar, BA
CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR
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