Dr. Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., will be stepping down from his role as the director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) on June 14, 2024. Dr. Gordon will be returning to Columbia University in New York City to serve as the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Additionally, he will take on the role of Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital campus at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and as the director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI).

Prior to his tenure at NIMH, Dr. Gordon worked as an associate professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University and as a research psychiatrist at NYSPI. During his time at NIMH, Dr. Gordon focused on a wide range of research areas to enhance the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses. His leadership has led to notable contributions such as new medications and interventions, suicide prevention research, and advancements in neural circuit and computational psychiatry research.

Under Dr. Gordon's guidance, NIMH has made significant strides in mental health research, including the approval of novel medications for treatment-resistant depression and postpartum depression. Additionally, NIMH collaborated with organizations to establish initiatives like the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Schizophrenia to develop early stage interventions for patients at risk of schizophrenia.

Following Dr. Gordon's departure, Dr. Shelli Avenevoli, currently serving as the NIMH Deputy Director, will be stepping in as the Acting NIMH Director while a national search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, expressed gratitude for Dr. Gordon's contributions and his dedication to advancing mental health. Dr. Gordon's impact on NIMH and the field of mental health research has been profound, and his new role at Columbia University is expected to continue his legacy of making significant contributions to the field.