Haut named chair of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU School of Medicine has chosen one of its own faculty members to serve as the chair of the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. Marc W. Haut, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., has been interim chair since August 2014 while also serving as Psychology section chief, program director of neuropsychology, research advisor and professor in the Departments of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Neurology and Radiology.

“We performed an extensive national search, which included a number of excellent candidates, and Dr. Haut quickly rose to the top of the list with his leadership ability and research experience,”  Clay Marsh, M.D., vice president and executive dean of health sciences, said. “He will play a pivotal role in setting the future direction of the department and will continue to help expand the educational and patient care capabilities for which we have become known.”

Haut earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rhodes College in 1982, his master’s degree in clinical psychology from Murray State University in 1984 and his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from University of North Dakota in 1988. He is board certified in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and joined the School of Medicine in 1989 as an assistant professor.

“I am excited to accept this leadership role,” Haut said. “We are in the midst of momentous transition and change, and I look forward to helping WVU meet the healthcare needs of West Virginia’s citizens while also training our state’s future doctors and conducting vital research.”

Haut’s special clinical interests include ALS, brain tumors, dementias, Parkinson’s disease and psychiatric disease. He is an active researcher and a published author in the field, and his current research interest is in the study of human brain plasticity using MRI. He has received numerous honors and awards with the most recent in 2013 for a Faculty Research Award in the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry.

Haut succeeds James M. Stevenson, M.D., who retired last June after serving as chair of the department for 35 years.