News
Psychiatry Awarded Grant for Peer Bridger Project Led by George Nasra
Thursday, February 26, 2026
We are proud to announce that the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Psychiatry has been awarded $1.5 million over five years by the New York State Office of Mental Health to expand Peer Bridger Services across the Finger Lakes region.
This award, issued under the Expansion of Peer Bridger Services (MH253007) initiative, supports enhanced post-discharge transition services for individuals hospitalized for acute psychiatric care. The program will serve Monroe and eight surrounding counties, strengthening continuity of care across a diverse and geographically broad region.
The Peer Bridger model embeds certified peer support professionals, individuals with lived experience of recovery, into the inpatient psychiatric units at Strong Memorial Hospital to begin engagement prior to discharge and provide intensive, relationship-based support for up to 90 days in the community.
The project will be led by George S. Nasra, MD, MBA, Associate Chair for Adult Ambulatory Psychiatry at URMC, who will serve as Principal Investigator.
The goal is to:
- Improve post-discharge follow-up and outpatient engagement
- Reduce avoidable readmissions and crisis recidivism
- Strengthen housing, benefits, and community resource linkage
- Promote recovery, self-advocacy, and long-term stability
We are grateful to OMH for their partnership and investment in recovery-oriented, community-based behavioral health services. This award reinforces our commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and to improving transitions for some of our region’s most vulnerable patients.
Bill Watson Discusses Functional Neurologic Disorders, Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTP)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Bill Watson, PhD recently presented several international lectures, including:
- "An Experiential, Emotion-focused Approach to FND: A Case Example of a 10-year-old and Her Mom" at the British Columbia Children's Hospital Vancouver's Psychology Rounds
- "Being Imperfect: Openness, Receptivity and Induced Countertransference in Group," a lecture for second- year trainees at the Institute for Psychodynamic Coaching in Moscow, Russia
In addition, Dr. Watson will be speaking at:
- The annual meeting of the North Carolina Neurological Society, where he will deliver an invited address, "Controversies: Functional Neurologic Disorders," alongside Lynn Liu, MD of UNC Health
- The American Group Psychotherapy Association's 2026 AGPA Connect meeting in New York City, where he will lead a one-day workshop, "Deepening Emotional Experience in Group with ISTDP and Modern Analysis"
Wilfred Pigeon, PhDÂ receives the AASM's 2026 Research Mentor Award
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Wilfred Pigeon, PhD was selected for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's 2026 Research Mentor Award. This award recognizes leaders who are fostering the next generation of researchers in the field of sleep and circadian science.