Talks

International collaborations under SNF’s Health Initiative / New Centers

Thursday June 23, 13:15, Lobby NLG

Andreas Dracopoulos, SNF Co-President
Harold Koplewicz, Founding President and Medical Director, Child Mind Institute
Sander Markx, Director of Precision Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center
Barry Coller, David Rockefeller Professor, Physician in Chief, and Vice President for Medical Affairs, Rockefeller University

For the third and final part of the discussion on international collaborations under SNF’s Health Initiative, the creation of three new centers was announced. The donations aim to treat infectious diseases, harness genomics to treat mental health conditions, and more.

Harold Koplewicz started out by underlining that the Child Mind Institute's activities have emerged from a shared vision with SNF. Referring to the needs that make the provision of mental health services imperative, he pointed out, "After the COVID outbreak, mental health visits would take place every three seconds. The leading cause of death in children is suicide." In this context, Koplewicz stressed the importance of eliminating stigma and providing mental health services to children in middle and low-income countries.

Psychiatric precision was the main topic of Sander Markx's speech, a concept increasingly appearing in the press, he said. He explained that the use of specialized and innovative methods allow for the personalization of psychiatric treatment. "The more precise the method, the greater the relief," he added. Referring to the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, he emphasized its uniqueness and effectiveness in providing care for vulnerable groups.

The discussion concluded with Barry Coller presenting the Rockefeller University's activities and programs in the field of health. Mentioning its motto, "Science for the benefit of humanity," he explained how science itself is key to achieving social justice. He also noted that the university aims to venture into various areas of research and seeks to speed up the transition from the laboratory to clinical trials. Describing a number of discoveries and innovations developed in the university's laboratories, he said he aims for science and technologies that are quickly moved from bench to the patient's bedside.