December 29, 2004
CONTACT: Ed Federico
(215) 349-5659
ed.federico@uphs.upenn.edu
Dwight L. Evans, MD, Earns the 2004 Award for
Research in Mood Disorders
from the American College of Psychiatrists
(Philadelphia,
PA) -- Dwight L. Evans, MD, the Ruth Meltzer Professor
and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the University
of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has earned the 2004 Award
for Research in Mood Disorders from the American College of Psychiatrists.
This award - which honors an individual or individual whose group has
made major contributions to the understanding and treatment of mood disorders
- is presented annually. Dr. Evans was chosen from among those scholars
and scientific investigators who have displayed excellence in research
and who are devoted to assisting people suffering from mood disorders.
Mood disorders encompass those psychiatric disorders in which a disturbance
of mood is the predominant feature, including depressive, dysthymic and
bipolar disorders. These disorders affect millions of people throughout
the world, can be life threatening, and result in considerable suffering
and disability.
According to Dr. Evans, “Depression has become the number one cause
of disability within Western Europe and North America. In the United States,
approximately 20 million people suffer from serious depression and close
to one million people attempt suicide each year. In this country, a person
dies from suicide every 18 minutes, over 30,000 deaths each year. Further
research is critical to address this worldwide public health problem.”
The award, which was first given in 1998, will be presented at The College’s
Annual Meeting in February 2005. Dr. Evans will present a featured lecture
summarizing his work. The American College of Psychiatrists is a non-profit
honorary association of psychiatrists who, through excellence in their
chosen fields, have been recognized for their significant contributions
to the profession.
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This release is available online at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/dec04/EvansACPaward.htm
