The Eisenberg Family Depression Center (EFDC) awarded Maria Muzik, M.D., M.S., the Dr. Michael Louis Smith Scholar Award and Colloquium. Dr. Muzik is an associate professor of psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan. She is also the co-director of the Women and Infants Mental Health Program at Michigan Medicine and medical director of the Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic, a nationally known program serving hundreds of patients annually with mental health conditions during and after pregnancy. In this role, Dr. Muzik oversees a large team of physicians, psychologists, social workers and other trainees who conduct over 500 new perinatal evaluations annually in addition to providing ongoing care. 

Dr. Muzik has shown a deeply-held commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of perinatal patients since joining the University of Michigan in 2006. Outside of her work at Michigan Medicine, she has helped shape perinatal clinical care throughout the U.S. She serves as the medical director of the perinatal arm of the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care Program (MC3) and is the co-director of Zero to Thrive, a multi-disciplinary research center and leader in perinatal, infant and early childhood mental health. Through the programs implemented by Dr. Muzik and team, thousands of adults and children across the country  have received evidence-based, trauma and diversity-informed care leading to measurable improvements in their overall wellbeing.

Read Dr. Muzik’s full biography here.

Dr. Muzik will receive a $10,000 grant to bring a visiting lecturer to the University of Michigan whose area of expertise is related to her research. The remaining portion of the grant will be used to provide support to any related academic expenses. 

The Dr. Michael Louis Smith Award and Colloquium is given annually to an EFDC member who is an M.D. or Ph.D., and is working to improve the care of those struggling with depression and related illnesses through the exploration of innovative clinical and research ideas. The award, funded by a generous gift from Edith J. and Michael L. Smith as a tribute to their son Dr. Michael Louis Smith, aims to foster impactful scholarly activity with a goal of improving clinical care. The award recipient is selected by a multidisciplinary committee, chaired by Sagar V. Parikh, M.D.

This award is part of the Eisenberg Family Depression Center’s research awards program, which will be re-launched in 2023. Please watch for announcements and updates in upcoming newsletters and online at depressioncenter.org.