FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2025

Connecticut Psychiatric Society Hosts 2025 Annual Meeting

New Haven, CT — The Connecticut Psychiatric Society (CPS) hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 18, at the historic New Haven Lawn Club. The evening brought together members, colleagues, and special guests for an engaging program focused on leadership, service, and the future of psychiatry in Connecticut.

The evening included the unveiling of CPS’s newly produced promotional videos, which highlight the organization’s mission and the impact of its members. These and other materials, including photos, from the meeting are available online here.

The keynote address was delivered by Meiram Bendat, J.D., Ph.D., a leading expert in mental health law. Dr. Bendat’s presentation focused on the critical issue of mental health parity, offering an in-depth look at legal and systemic barriers that continue to prevent equitable access to mental health treatment. His remarks empowered attendees to advocate more effectively for enforcement of parity laws and to support policy solutions that ensure patients receive the care they are entitled to under the law.

CPS proudly honored several distinguished award recipients during the program. Dr. Caren Teitelbaum and Dr. Tichianaa Armah were recognized with the Service to CPS Award for their outstanding contributions to the organization and dedication to its mission. Dr. Dale Sebastian received the Service to Patients Award, in recognition of his compassionate and exemplary psychiatric care. The Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to Christian Damiana for exceptional advocacy and civic engagement that support mental health and well-being in the broader community. Dr. Yasmin Rawlins was honored with the Rising Leader Award for her early leadership and commitment to organized psychiatry.

CPS also awarded its inaugural Michael J. Sernyak Award for Advancing Well-Being in People with Serious Mental Illness, a new annual distinction for individuals exemplifying holistic care for those with serious mental illness (SMI), to Yale Professor Aniyizhai (Ani) Annamalai, MBBS, M.D.

The Annual Meeting marked the installation of new leadership for the 2025–2026 term. Dr. Jessica Abellard assumed the role of President, succeeding Dr. Paul Bryant, who now serves as Immediate Past President. Dr. Andrew Gerber was elected President-Elect, with Dr. Sadiq Naveed named Secretary and Dr. Marco Michael serving as Treasurer.

The newly elected Councilors-at-Large are Dr. Olalekan Olaolu and Dr. Kaosoluchi Enendu. Dr. Zachary Lenane and Dr. Ignacio Cerdeña were named Early Career Psychiatrist Representatives, and Drs. Yasmin Rawlins, Shreyas Deshmukh, and Maurice Morgan were welcomed as Resident Representatives. Dr. Paul Bryant will also serve as the Society’s APA Assembly Representative, joining Dr. Tichianaa Armah and Dr. Tobias Wasser.

CPS extends its sincere appreciation to this year’s sponsors, PRMS and Silver Hill Hospital, for their generous support of the 2025 Annual Meeting.

For additional information about CPS, its leadership, programs, or events, please visit www.ctpsych.org.

Media Contact:
Don Knox
Executive Director
Connecticut Psychiatric Society
[email protected]
720-272-0961

Read Obituary

Dr. Velandy Manohar, much beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on June 13, 2025, at Middlesex Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Prema, his two sons, Siddhartha and Vishwam both of New York, and his grandson Theodore. Dr. Manohar was born in Tellicherry, India, on April 14, 1942. After completing his education from Loyola College, Madras Christian College, and Madras Medical College, he arrived to the United States in 1967 for Psychiatry fellowships in Independence, Iowa, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dr. Manohar began his Psychiatry residency at Harvard Psychiatry Service, Boston City Hospital, where he held the position of Chief Resident from 1970-1971.During his time in Boston, Dr. Manohar taught at various positions within Harvard Medical School and served as Director of Training of the Alcohol Division at Boston City Hospital. He also worked closely with offsite facilities like the Pine Street Inn doing essential work with patients suffering with substance abuse, mental health issues, and HIV/AIDS.

This period living in Boston and Watertown also established a life long love of the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics.In 1977, Dr. Manohar moved to Haddam, Connecticut, to begin work at the newly redeveloped Middlesex Hospital. He worked there for 35 years and served as Director of Substance Abuse and Dual Diagnosis Psychiatry. His office was a place of refuge and hope for countless patients.

During this time, Dr. Manohar also became an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Medical school developing an Ambulatory Psychiatry Rotation for third and fourth year students. Guiding young doctors became one of his passions in life and he kept in close contact with numerous former students.After retirement from Middlesex Hospital in 2006, Dr. Manohar continued to serve the community at the Community Health Center and as Medical Director at Aware Recovery Care, both in Middletown.

In the 1980s and 1990s Dr. Manohar oversaw major legislation in the Connecticut state capital that established guidelines for drunk driving laws in the state. In 1977, he testified to the US Senate Sub-Committee on Health on behalf of Senator Hathaway on the matter of prevention of alcohol and drug related problems. Dr. Manohar also became a member of the American Psychiatric Association and was a Life Fellow until his passing.After becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1993, Dr. Manohar dedicated his life to the United States.

After his elder son’s commissioning in the United Stares Marine Corps, Dr. Manohar began working closely with the US Department of Veterans Affairs, writing new approaches to treat PTSD, substance abuse, and mental health issues among veterans. He championed civil rights and wrote extensively on connections between Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and other fighters for freedom. Dr. Manohar’s strong religious faith led him to become a founding member and early priest in the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society, located in Middletown, Connecticut, where he taught and wrote extensively on the tenants of Hinduism, the Baghdad Gita, and the Vedas.

Dr. Manohar will be remembered by his wife Prema, of 51 years as a kind, approachable, jolly spirit, lover of books and lively conversation on any topic under the sun.In lieu of flowers, kindly make contributions to the Brainerd Memorial Library in Haddam, Connecticut, a place that he found knowledge, happiness, and refuge for so many years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Award Honors Legacy of Dr. Michael J. Sernyak by Recognizing Champions of Holistic Mental Health Care

Hartford, CT – June 6, 2025 – The Connecticut Psychiatric Society is proud to announce the launch of the Michael J. Sernyak Award for Advancing Well-Being in People with Serious Mental Illness, a new annual honor celebrating individuals who exemplify holistic care for those living with serious mental illness (SMI).

The award commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Michael J. Sernyak, a dedicated husband, father, physician, and visionary leader in psychiatry. As CEO of the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) and Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Sernyak was known not only for his clinical and academic contributions but also for his deep commitment to the overall well-being of individuals with SMI. Long before it became widely recognized, Dr. Sernyak championed the connection between physical and mental health—advocating for accessible bike lanes in New Haven and founding the CMHC Farmers Market to support healthier lifestyles in his community.

To honor his trailblazing work, the Michael J. Sernyak Award will be given each year to a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, policymaker, business leader, or citizen who shares Dr. Sernyak’s vision of treating the whole person. Recipients will be recognized for their efforts to promote physical and mental wellness among individuals with SMI, demonstrating the profound difference that one person’s commitment can make in the lives of many.

This award was created in collaboration with Dr. Ismene Petrakis and Alexander and Zoe Sernyak, and is generously sponsored by the Armah Family Donor Advised Fund.