Dr. Cates named vice chair of clinical services for psychiatry

David Cates, Ph.D., has been named vice chair of clinical services for the UNMC Department of Psychiatry.

He succeeds Rebecca Wysoske, M.D., who had been the interim vice chair.

“Dr. Cates is one of those rare leaders who combines a sophisticated ability to analyze the big picture with the heart to treat each team member as a valued contributor,” said Howard Liu, M.D., chair of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry. “He brings integrity, intellect and an incredible work ethic to every challenge and I have full confidence in his ability to thrive as our new clinical vice chair.”

Dr. Cates will continue to serve as Nebraska Medicine director of behavioral health, including providing patient care in the psychology department and pain management program, as well as serving as behavioral health consultant for the Biocontainment Unit and National Quarantine Center.

Dr. Cates said it is a privilege to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues at both institutions.

“Serving as both director of behavioral health at Nebraska Medicine and vice chair for clinical services in psychiatry provides an opportunity to align UNMC and Nebraska Medicine strategy and operations even more closely,” Dr. Cates said. “We all share the same goals — namely, improving wellness and reducing suffering by expanding access to quality behavioral health and addictions services, training and research. Behavioral health is growing at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. This is an exciting time and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Dr. Cates took on the Nebraska Medicine behavioral health director role in 2016. In that capacity, he worked closely with primary care leadership on the integration of behavioral health in primary care as part of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Initiative, led the development of Nebraska Medicine’s intensive outpatient program for patients with psychiatric illness and substance use disorders, and collaborated with UNMC Department of Psychiatry leadership and a private donor to develop the Behavioral Health Connection Program.

Dr. Cates also has developed online training modules for the National Ebola Training and Education Center (NETEC) on behavioral health considerations for patient and staff. He is a member of the workgroup developing inpatient suicide and violence screening/prevention protocols. Dr. Cates serves on the Nebraska Psychological Association Ethics Committee and is involved in a variety of community behavioral health initiatives, including the Douglas County Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan for Integration of Care.

Dr. Liu thanked Dr. Wysoske for an excellent job as interim vice chair of clinical services during the yearlong search for a permanent leader.

“Dr. Wysoske is a dedicated member of our leadership team and will embrace a new role as phase 3 director in medical student education and continue as ambulatory medical director in psychiatry,” Dr. Liu said.