New Chair Selected for the Department of Aging and Mental Health

Professor Larry Schonfeld has been selected to serve as Chair for the Department of Aging and Mental Health (AMH) at USF’s Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI). He is replacing long-time chair Larry Dupree, who is stepping down to devote more time on research projects related to substance abuse and mental health problems among the elder population. Dr. Dupree served as Chair from 1984-1989 and from 1998 to November 30, 2006.

“I am confident that Larry will do an excellent job, and very much appreciate his willingness to take on this important leadership responsibility,” said FMHI Interim Dean Robert Friedman. “I would also like to thank Larry Dupree for his wonderful service to AMH and FMHI.”

Dr. Schonfeld has previously served as Department Chair from 1989-1992, Assistant Chair from 1987-1989, and director of treatment programs for older adults with substance abuse problems or mental illness from 1984-1989. He is Principal Investigator/Evaluator of the "Florida BRITE Project" (BRief Intervention and Treatment for Elders) funded by the Florida Department of Children and Families Substance Abuse Program Office. Designed to identify and serve older adults with problems related to alcohol, prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, illicit drug use, depression and suicide risk, the BRITE Project will be expanded from four counties to 10 counties through a recently awarded, $14 million, 5-year SAMHSA grant. Schonfeld is also co-PI on a National Institute of Justice grant (Florida Elder Abuse Survey - L.G. Branch, P.I.) to develop and test methods for detection of elder abuse and neglect.

In addition to serving on national expert panels, Schonfeld is on the Board of Directors of the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging and is a member of the Florida Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, and a member of the Florida Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council.  He is major professor for three graduates and two current students of the Ph.D. Program in Aging Studies and teaches Gerontological Research and Planning to master's level students. He is also Courtesy Professor in Psychology.

“For many years Larry has been a productive and successful faculty member, a strong mentor to junior faculty and an excellent collaborator,” added Dr. Friedman. “His own research has not only been successful but has been illustrative of the special kind of work and contribution that we make here at FMHI.”