Taking a Toll: Women’s Mental Health in the Era of COVID-19
Presented by the UVA Alumni Association in partnership with the UVA Medical Alumni Association.
Tune in for an intimate conversation on women’s mental health during the pandemic between Staff Psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health, Allison Baker, MD ’06 and therapist and social worker at mental health services organization The Women’s Initiative, Shelly Wood (SCPS ’07).
Register now to submit questions that will shape event discussion. All registrants will receive a direct link to the event recording immediately following the event, allowing those who can’t participate live to watch or listen on-demand.
About the Speakers
Allison Baker, MD ’06
Dr. Baker received her MD from the University of Virginia, where she was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society for her excellence in scholarship and professionalism. She completed her residency in general psychiatry at Columbia University, serving as Chief Resident. There, she was distinguished for her compassion, empathy and excellence in psychiatry with the Barbara S. Liskin Award. Dr. Baker trained in child and adolescent psychiatry at the combined program of Columbia and Cornell Universities.
Dr. Baker then served on the faculty at Columbia University Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry prior to moving to Boston where she is now a staff psychiatrist with the Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry Clinical Research Program at MGH, with an appointment as an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her current research has focused on the course and treatment of ADHD in women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Shelly Wood (SCPS ’07)
A native of Charlottesville, Shelly has a master’s degree in Social Work from VCU and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. Her passion is empowering women to reach their full potential as well as an overall sense of well-being. As a therapist, Shelly regularly incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and Mindfulness techniques into her practice. Shelly values working out in the community and collaborating with other organizations to provide much needed services, such as leading monthly Wellness discussions at JABA’s Mary Williams Day Center. Shelly is also a facilitator of the Central Virginia Clinicians of Color Network, which seeks to increase our community’s capacity to provide culturally responsive mental health care.
About Retold
The history of the University of Virginia is not complete without women’s stories. In 2020 UVA celebrated the 100th anniversary of a 1920 Board of Visitors resolution allowing some women to enroll in select graduate and professional programs and the 50th anniversary of full coeducation in 1970. Approximately 30,000 women earned degrees, diplomas and certificates at UVA before 1970. Today, women make up the majority of the student population.
The Alumni Association and Retold are marking this pivotal moment with a yearlong initiative recognizing women’s contributions to the University community and the diversity of the alumnae experience. Learn more about Retold.
This event is brought to you by the UVA Alumni Association and the UVA Medical Alumni Association and is open to all UVA alumni, students, parents, and friends.