AACAP launches mentorship award in honor of Devereux’s Dr. Marilyn Benoit

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recently established the inaugural AACAP Marilyn B. Benoit, MD, Child Maltreatment Mentorship Award named in honor of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Marilyn Benoit.

The new, annual award is designed to:

Provide eligible recipients with a mentored opportunity to learn about key issues in the areas of child welfare, foster care, and/or child maltreatment prevention/intervention;
Increase awareness and interest in the above fields; and
Recognize child and adolescent psychiatrists who specialize in these fields and create a community of knowledgeable and effective teachers who can serve as a resource for all AACAP members.

“I was extremely honored and humbled to learn about this mentorship award, which will provide a wonderful opportunity for our country’s future psychiatrists,” said Dr. Benoit. “I am also proud to be associated with any award that advances the incredibly important – and much-needed – field of psychiatry.”

While granted by the “Marilyn B. Benoit, MD, Fund,” funding for the award was made possible by Devereux National Board of Trustee Lisa Yang, who wanted to recognize Dr. Benoit’s work and commitment to the field of psychiatry. Note: In 2016, Yang received AACAP’s “Catchers in the Rye Humanitarian Award,” recognizing individuals who have made a significant contribution to the elimination of childhood mental illnesses.

A distinguished career

Dr. Benoit is an internationally recognized psychiatrist with a wide-ranging career, both as a practicing physician and a health care administrator. In her role at Devereux, she is responsible for overseeing the organization’s clinical strategies, treatment and outcomes. Specifically, Dr. Benoit works to integrate the latest scientific and medical advancements with time-tested philosophies and compassionate family engagement to provide practical, effective and efficient care for the individuals served by the nonprofit organization.

In addition, Dr. Benoit served as a past president of AACAP. During her tenure as president, she placed significant focus on foster care, partnering with the Child Welfare League of America and inviting 70 national stakeholders to help influence change in child welfare policies. Click here to learn more about Dr. Benoit.

Award details; how to apply

Eligible applicants must be a child and adolescent psychiatry resident, child and adolescent psychiatry fellow, or early career psychiatrist within seven years of graduation from a fellowship program and have an interest in the fields of child welfare, foster care, and/or child maltreatment prevention/intervention.

Awardees will receive $4,000 to facilitate the completion of a project lasting 12 to 16 weeks in which he/she collaborates with a mentor. Mentors must have experience in key issues in any of the given areas, but they themselves do not need to be child and adolescent psychiatrists by training. Applications must be submitted by April 16, 2018. To apply, contact clinical@aacap.org.

Learn about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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