Robin Hershkowitz, LCSW-R, Is Named Director of the Office of Student Mental Health and Wellness
Ms. Hershkowitz will advance and increase the wellness activities offered through SMHW and expand educational and training opportunities
Robin Hershkowitz, LCSW-R, has been named director of the Office of Student Mental Health and Wellness (SMHW) effective July 1, 2021. Ms. Hershkowitz, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, has been a clinician and educator in SMHW for the last three years providing supportive counseling and psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral intervention, crisis management, comprehensive diagnostic assessment and emergency intervention as well as consultation to faculty, medical staff and community outreach.
Ms. Hershkowitz has been instrumental in transitioning SMHW to a new model of delivery, providing increased access to a broader choice of clinicians utilizing telehealth services from a nationally recognized provider organization. She will continue to advance and increase the wellness activities offered through SMHW and plans to expand educational and training opportunities through the graduate social work internship program, as well as continue working with student groups for mental health prevention and awareness and to offer student wellness programming and events.
“I look forward to leading SMHW through this exciting transition. I believe this opportunity will provide expanded access to quality clinicians, give students more choice and resources. This change also increases the hours clinicians are available and provides additional benefits and services,” said Ms. Hershkowitz, referring to the new Teladoc and Health Advocate service that will support students who are experiencing financial or legal problems, life transitions, substance abuse and childcare needs.
“My current priority is to ensure a smooth and seamless transition and to establish an easily accessible, comprehensive mental health program. While Teladoc can meet most psychiatric needs, we are aware they are not able to prescribe controlled substances. To ensure students with pre-existing and new medication needs are met, we have established a special arrangement with a psychiatrist outside of Teladoc. NYMC students will be given priority and able to easily connect with an excellent psychiatrist,” explained Ms. Hershkowitz. “We will cover the cost of any co-payments incurred during the visits. Students can concurrently utilize unlimited counseling services through Teladoc and Health Advocate. It’s important for students to establish long-term mental health support, and if they are having any challenges doing so I encourage them to be in communication with me.”
Ms. Hershkowitz has also developed a formal social work graduate internship program, which she directs and supervises, and has been a leader in developing wellness activities including psycho-educational workshops and programming for students, faculty and staff.
“In thinking forward, I am in the process of creating a campus-wide mental health committee to address the needs of those at high risk or in acute distress. I envision a collaborative, interdisciplinary group that builds upon our current systems. As we grow, we will be mindful of the various needs that arise and meet the moment with timely and thoughtful responses,” said Ms. Hershkowitz.
“We are extremely fortunate to have an exceptionally qualified leader with such a record of varied and high level clinical and administrative experience as Ms. Hershkowitz. She has been integral to all aspects of SMHW at NYMC and is ready to seamlessly take on the directorship of the program,” said Richard McCarrick, M.D., M.H.A., vice chancellor for college student services.
Ms. Hershkowitz succeeds Reon Baird-Feldman, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, and David Stern, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, who have served as co-directors of the Office of Student Mental Health and Wellness since 2012.
Prior to joining NYMC, Ms. Hershkowitz served as a therapist and researcher at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she continues her work, and at the Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry. Her work at Memorial Sloan Kettering has resulted in two recent publications, “Utilizing a Manualized Therapy to Provide Parallel Treatment to Older Adults With Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Case Study” published in the June 16, 2021, issue of Clinical Case Studies, and “Managing Anxiety from Cancer (MAC): A pilot randomized controlled trial of an anxiety intervention for older adults with cancer and their caregivers,” published in the December 31, 2020, issue of Palliative and Supportive Care.
Ms. Hershkowitz has also held leadership roles in non-profit organizations including director of the Patient Service Center for the Eastern Division of the American Cancer Society, director of the Women’s Cancer Program of CANCERCARE and director of the Susan G. Komen Help Line. She also served as an advanced clinician on the Adult Medicine Service and the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit of NewYork-Presbyterian. She is a frequent speaker on such topics as suicide risk assessment and managing mental health issues related to serious medical illnesses. Ms. Hershkowitz has served as a complementary care coordinator for the Hospice of Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and an emergency room victim services social worker at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
Ms. Hershkowitz received her Master of Social Work from New York University, where she also earned post-master’s certificates in advanced assessment and diagnosis, advanced clinical practice and social work field instruction. She is certified in problem-solving therapy and crisis prevention intervention from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Ms. Hershkowitz is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and has received awards for excellence in outstanding service to patients, families and the social work profession.