Mayada Akil, MD

Mayada Akil, MD, is a Professor of Psychiatry, the Vice Chair for Education and the Director of the Psychiatry Residency Training Program. Dr. Akil trained in psychiatry at the University of Michigan. She was on faculty in the departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh from 1989 to 1996 where she was involved in clinical work, teaching and research. Dr. Akil joined the National Institute of Mental Health in 1996 where she conducted research on the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders then served as a Senior Advisor to the NIMH Director from 2003 to 2012. She joined the Department of Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in 2007.

As the Vice Chair for education, Dr. Akil is in charge of Medical Student Education, the Residency Training Program and two Fellowships. She is involved in the teaching and training of medical students, residents and fellows in the department of Psychiatry and at the school of medicine. Her clinical focus is on mood and anxiety disorders and she directs the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at Georgetown. Dr. Akil is a member of the American College of Psychiatrists, a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and on the Board of the National Neuroscience Curriculum Initiative. She is nationally known for her work in neuroscience education in psychiatry . Dr. Akil is the recipient of numerous awards including the Health & Human Services Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service and the Louis F. Rittelmeyer, Jr., MD, Teaching Award from Georgetown University.