INSIDE RADY CHILDREN’S
A Champion for Pediatric Mental Health Care PROMOTION Ben Maxwell, MD, named as Rady Children’s new division chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Una Davis Family Chair in Behavioral Health
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uring his tenure at Rady Children’s, Ben Maxwell, MD, has led the charge for expanding access to pediatric mental health care. He played an integral role in the opening of the Hospital’s Copley Psychiatric Emergency Department, has partnered with pediatricians to
integrate mental health screenings into primary care visits and collaborated with peers from around the world to address pediatric mental health on a global scale. In recognition of his efforts, Dr. Maxwell has been selected as Rady Children’s division chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, as well as its Una Davis Family Chair in Behavioral Health. “It has been a longstanding goal of mine to turn the tide of the pediatric mental health crisis, which has only grown more
dire in recent years,” says Dr. Maxwell. “Today, one in five adolescents suffers from depression. I’ve made it a personal mission to transform the way we help families overcome the intensifying challenges that come with being and raising a child in today’s tumultuous environment. What we are doing now simply isn’t enough—it is time for dramatic changes both within the health care system and at a societal level.”
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In his new role, Dr. Maxwell will lead efforts to improve access to mental health care for children and families, especially those from underserved communities. Dr. Maxwell’s appointment couldn’t come at a more appropriate time, says Patrick Frias, MD, chief executive officer at Rady Children’s. “We are facing an unprecedented pediatric mental health crisis,” he says. “An esteemed member of our community and a prolific psychiatry and neuroscience expert with a plan to revolutionize how we treat mental illness, Dr. Maxwell is the leader we need to drive pediatric mental health care forward not only in our region, but nationwide.”
I’ve made it a personal mission to transform the way we help families overcome the INTENSIFYING CHALLENGES that come with being and raising a child in today’s tumultuous
environment. –BEN MAXWELL, MD
28 HEALTHY KIDS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023
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