Contact: Erin Baker, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
ebaker@aacap.org 

Adam Lowe, Communications Coordinator
202.966.7300, Ext. 154
alowe@aacap.org

Washington, D.C., September 24, 2008 – The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), is pleased to announce that Naleen Andrade, M.D., is the recipient of the 2008 AACAP Robert Cancro Academic Leadership Award. The award recognizes excellence in child and adolescent psychiatry leadership. Dr. Andrade is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hawaii at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. 

On receiving the award, Dr. Andrade praises mentors and, specifically, the work of John McDermott, M.D. “This recognizes more than its recipient, it honors the profound generational effects of a great mentor whose influence in Hawai‘i is still unfolding. E aloha aku, e aloha nui mai! [“Love, empathy and compassion given, returns in great measure!]”

“Dr. McDemott showed me the value and elegance of child development, developmental psychopathology and family psychotherapy.  His mentoring created within me the professional identity and moral core of being a general psychiatrist who saw child and adolescent psychiatry as a cornerstone within a psychiatry department,” said Dr. Andrade.

After graduating from medical school and residency, Dr. Andrade entered academia, due in large part, to Dr. McDermott’s guidance.  Today, Dr. Andrade leads an integrated system of medical education with the only triple board residency program (pediatrics, psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry curriculum) west of the Rockies. Additionally, her department’s thriving research division conducts studies on epidemiology, addictions, culture, suicide and violence, among other areas. She has worked tireless to create private and public partnerships to advance the quality of care for rural populations.

Dr. Andrade will be honored at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Annual Meeting in Chicago.

To obtain a photograph of Dr. Andrade, or a personal statement please contact Adam Lowe, AACAP Communications Coordinator, at 202.966.7300 x154 or alowe@aacap.org.

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Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.###