REACH Initiative Fall Workshop
Upstate Biotech AcceleratorSeptember 25, 2026
About event
Mental Health REACH Initiative Empowering primary care providers to confidently screen, diagnose, and treat mild to moderate mental health conditions.
Who We Are
Since 2022, the Upstate Mental Health REACH Initiative has helped over 2,000 providers across 51 New York counties build real confidence in mental health care. Founded by the Department of Psychiatry and supported by the Patrick Lee, Julia E. Oyer, and Mother Cabrini Foundations, REACH is built for busy primary care providers that is completely free for providers.
Our mission is simple: equip you with the skills to screen, diagnose, and treat the mild-to-moderate mental health conditions you see every day in your practice.
What We Do
REACH runs two educational cycles per year — Spring and Fall — each designed to fit into your schedule without disrupting your practice.
Every cycle includes:
- A one-day intensive workshop — updated topics each cycle, so returning participants always learn something new (6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)
- 10 weekly ECHO sessions — collaborative, case-based learning with peers and experts (1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit each, and 1.00 NYS CEUs for Psychology, SW and LMHC each)
The program is 100% free for all participants.
Over the past four years, more than 600 individual providers have joined us — representing every corner of New York State.
Speakers
MEET OUR FEATURED SPEAKERSUpstate Mental Health Reach Initiative is proud to host an exceptional group of distinguished experts and honored guests whose contributions will inspire collaboration and innovation. |
Andrea Berg, MD
Assistant Professor of Geriatrics Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Stephen Glatt, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Graduate program, and Public Health and Preventative Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical Center
Gerson Nunes, MD
Geriatric Psychiatrist, Hutchings Psychiatric Center
Nevena Radonjic, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Thomas Schwartz, MD
Distinguished Teaching Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Family Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Rebecca Shields, DO
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University
Kristina Zdanys, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, UConn Health
Schedule - 1 Days
25 Sep
Registration and Breakfast
Welcome and Introductions: Nevena Radonjic, MD, PhD
Brain Chemistry and Psychiatric Symptoms...Made Simple: Thomas Schwartz, MD
Suicide Prevention in the Elderly: Rebecca Shields, DO
MORNING BREAK
The Aging Brain: Neurobiology of Normal Aging and Vulnerability to Disease: Nevena Radonjic, MD, PhD & Stephen Glatt, PhD
LUNCH
Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults: Kristina Zdanys, MD
Redefining Dementia Care: Andrea Berg, MD
AFTERNOON BREAK
Delirium: Recognition and Management in Primary Care: Gerson Nunes, MD
Q&A All Speakers
REACH ECHO
Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a well-established model pioneered from the University of New Mexico. Project ECHO has had a national and international reach for the past 19 years. The ECHO model breaks down the barriers between specialist and primary care. Our experts at SUNY Upstate will function as the hub to deliver education, knowledge and best practices to the primary care clinicians in the Central New York region and beyond. Using videoconferencing technology, we will be connecting our team of interdisciplinary experts with primary care providers. By utilizing this teleconferencing technology, we are able to enhance medical resources in rural and medically underserved areas in Upstate and Central New York.
The REACH ECHO sessions are taking place on Wednesday’s at 12 pm starting from September 11th 2024. No registration is needed to attend the session, but we will ask you for your name, institution and email in order to provide educational credits. Each REACH ECHO session is awarded 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and 1 contact hour for Social Work, LMHCs, and Psychologists.
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9/02/2026 |
TBA Becky Preve, Executive Director, Association on Aging in New York |
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9/16/2026 |
Depression in Older Adults: Uniquely Effective Strategies and Considerations Justin Meyer, MD, Assistant Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University |
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9/23/2026 |
Pharmacogenomics: Mental Health Robert Ostrander, MD, FAAFP, Medical Director Rural Medical Scholars Program and Associate Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University |
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10/07/2026 |
Pain Management for Patients with Substance Use Disorders Shakaib Khan, MD, Assistant Professor, UCONN Health Center & Rebecca Andrews, MS, MD, MACP, Professor of Medicine, UCONN Health Center |
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10/14/2026 |
Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults Tolani Ajagbe, MBBS, Associate Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University |
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10/21/2026 |
Many Faces of Anxiety Disorders Kay Yu Yuan Chai, PhD, Assistant Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University |
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10/28/2026 |
From Models to Outcomes: Integrated Care in Practice Shakaib Khan, MD, Assistant Professor, UCONN Health Center & Rebecca Andrews, MS, MD, MACP, Professor of Medicine, UCONN Health Center |
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11/4/2026 |
Identifying and Managing Patients Affected by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Julienne Capria, MD, Psychiatrist, Oswego Health |
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11/18/2026 |
The Forgotten Patient: Recognizing and Managing ADHD in Older Adults Prashant Kaul, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University |
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12/2/2026 |
Grief in Primary Care Practice Kathryn Hagen, PsyD, Assistant Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University |
Event Location
Upstate Biotech Accelerator
Venue
Upstate Biotech Accelerator
Syracuse, New York, 13210, United States
Address
841 E Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Event Directions
From Interstate 81 (North or South):
- Take Exit 18 (Harrison Street/Adams Street).
- Follow signs for Harrison Street.
- Continue east toward University Hill.
- Turn onto Townsend Street.
- Turn left onto East Fayette Street.
- The CNY Biotech Accelerator will be on your left at 841 East Fayette Street.
Parking:
- Visitor parking is available in the parking lot directly behind the CNY Biotech Accelerator building, accessible from the rear of the building. Parking is available for visitors attending meetings and events.
Building Entrance:
- Enter through the main entrance at the front of the building on East Fayette Street.
- If you are attending a meeting or event, signage will direct you to the appropriate room.
Sponsors
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