The History
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics began training psychiatrists nearly 90 years ago. Instruction in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses started in the Iowa State Psychopathic Hospital, which opened in 1921. This was established as part of the “psychopathic hospital” movement during the early twentieth century, in which psychiatric hospitals were built in close proximity to schools of medicine. These hospitals were established for the evaluation and short-term treatment of patients, psychiatric research, and teaching.
The Department of Psychiatry has had a long and distinguished history. It was the first psychiatric department to be established west of the Mississippi River.
Dr. Samuel Orton (1920-28), the first chairman, was a pioneer in the identification of dyslexia and the Orton Society carries on work that he began.
Dr. Andrew Woods (1928-41), who had been chairman of neurology at the University of Canton, China, brought both an appreciation of cross-cultural issues as well as the integration of psychiatry and neurology to the department.
Dr. Wilbur Miller (1943-55) saw the applicability of psychiatry to all fields of medicine and initiated training for primary care physicians in the identification and treatment of psychiatric illness.
Dr. Paul Huston (1955-71) brought a variety of scientific disciplines to the study of mental illness and encouraged research to address many unanswered questions in psychiatry.
Dr. George Winokur (1971-90) emphasized data-based categorization of psychiatric illness and was internationally known for his classification of affective disorders. Research conducted by the department during his years as chairman contributed greatly to the careful classification of psychiatric disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals.
Dr. Robert Robinson (1990-present), the current chairman, is an international leader in neuropsychiatry. Under his chairmanship, the department continues its commitment to improve the care of patients and the understanding of psychiatric illness through empirical and basic science research.