Draft:MyronBelfer
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Myron Lowell Belfer | |
|---|---|
 Dr. Myron Belfer celebrating Dr. Leon Eisenberg's 2004 birthday | |
| Born | December 28, 1939 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Albert Einstein College of Medicine, John F. Kennedy School of Government |
| Known for | Leadership in child and adolescent psychiatry, global mental health initiatives |
| Spouse | Sandra Ruth (Turner) Belfer (deceased) |
| Children | two sons: Russell Belfer and Philip Belfer. |
| Awards |
|
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychiatry, Public Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health |
| Institutions | Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital |
Myron Lowell Belfer, M.D., M.P.A., is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a Senior Associate in Psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. His groundbreaking contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry, along with his leadership in various professional organizations, have made him a leading figure in the field of developmental psychiatry.[1][2] Dr. Belfer is the author of numerous scholarly journal articles[3]
Early Life and Education
[edit]Myron Lowell Belfer was born on December 28, 1939, in Manhattan, New York City[4], to Ira M. Belfer, a lawyer, and his wife, Jean Kranish, whom he married in December 1938.[5] His father was Temple President. His mother, Jean Kranish Belfer, passed away in 2011[6] and was survived by two son, Myron Belfer and Ira L. Belfer, and predeceased by her husband, who died in 2001[7][8], and another son, Peter Belfer, who died young in 1971.[9] Reared in New York City with his two brothers, Myron Belfer showed an early interest in public service and child welfare, which later informed his career in psychiatry and public health. Dr. Myron L. Belfer earned his medical degree (M.D.) in 1965 from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He subsequently obtained a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.[10][11] He completed his residency in pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital from 1973 to 1976 and his residency in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center from 1976 to 1979.[12] His academic training and commitment to public health have significantly influenced his approach to child and adolescent psychiatry, particularly in the context of global mental health initiatives.
Education and Training
[edit]- Bachelor of Arts (BA) – University of California, Berkeley, 1969
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) – University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, 1973
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) – Harvard University, 1981[13]
Residency
[edit]- Residency in Pediatrics – Harvard Medical School / Boston Children's Hospital, 1973–1976
- Residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts Mental Health Center, 1976–1979[14]
Professional Affiliations and Leadership
[edit]Dr. Myron L. Belfer has made significant contributions to the global field of child and adolescent psychiatry. He served as the President of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP), where his leadership helped shape the organization's international mission. During his tenure, Dr. Belfer worked tirelessly to foster global collaboration among mental health professionals, aiming to improve mental health care for children and adolescents worldwide. His efforts were instrumental in strengthening the association's focus on research, education, and advocacy. Notably, he was involved in supporting the establishment of the African Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the IACAPAP study group in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2007.[15]
In addition to his leadership within IACAPAP, Dr. Belfer has had a distinguished academic and clinical career at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital. He holds the position of Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and serves as a Senior Associate in Psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. In these roles, Dr. Belfer has been an influential mentor to many students, residents, and fellows, many of whom have gone on to make their own substantial contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as he has guided international research projects and supervised postgraduate theses at both Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.[16][17]
Dr. Belfer’s commitment to improving global child mental health is further evidenced by his co-direction of the Children’s Hospital Boston Global Child Mental Health Observership Program. Additionally, he has led comprehensive child mental health needs assessments in schools in Shanghai in collaboration with Chinese colleagues, further showcasing his global impact on mental health initiatives.[18]
Professional Affiliations and Leadership
[edit]Dr. Belfer is perhaps best known for his leadership within the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP), where he served as President. During his tenure, he worked to strengthen the organization’s global mission, fostering collaboration among mental health professionals worldwide to improve care for children and adolescents. The IACAPAP's focus on research, education, and advocacy aligned with Dr. Belfer's vision of better mental health services for young people globally.
His roles at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital have positioned him as an influential voice in the fields of psychiatry and developmental medicine. As a faculty member at Harvard and a senior associate at Boston Children's, Dr. Belfer has trained numerous students, residents, and fellows, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.
Clinical and Research Interests
[edit]Dr. Myron L. Belfer's research focuses on child and adolescent psychiatry, with particular emphasis on developmental medicine, mental health policy, and psychosocial interventions for young people. His work aims to elucidate the biological, psychological, and social factors influencing child development, especially as they pertain to mental health. He has published extensively in scholarly journals on a wide range of topics related to mental health, including the effects of early trauma, psychiatric treatment approaches for children and adolescents, and the intersection of mental health with public policy.
His research has emphasized the importance of early intervention and preventive measures in addressing mental health issues in children, believing that timely care can significantly alter developmental trajectories and improve long-term outcomes.
Achievements and Publications
[edit]Dr. Belfer has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles that have contributed to the advancement of knowledge in child and adolescent psychiatry. His work often addresses the interplay between biological and environmental factors in mental health, with a focus on how public health systems can be better equipped to address the needs of children facing psychiatric challenges.
In addition to his research and clinical work, Dr. Belfer has been involved in shaping policies aimed at improving mental health care for children globally. His advocacy for improving access to care, particularly in underserved regions, has had a lasting impact on global mental health initiatives.
Legacy and Impact
[edit]Dr. Myron L. Belfer has made enduring contributions to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry, particularly in global mental health policy and education. As Honorary President of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP), he played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's mission to improve mental health care for children and adolescents worldwide. His leadership was instrumental in fostering international collaborations and initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health services and research. Notably, he was involved in supporting the establishment of the African Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the IACAPAP study group in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2007.
In addition to his leadership within IACAPAP, Dr. Belfer has had a distinguished academic and clinical career at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital. He holds the position of Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and serves as a Senior Associate in Psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. In these roles, Dr. Belfer has been an influential mentor to many students, residents, and fellows, many of whom have gone on to make their own substantial contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as he has guided international research projects and supervised postgraduate theses at both Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Dr. Belfer’s commitment to improving global child mental health is further evidenced by his co-direction of the Children’s Hospital Boston Global Child Mental Health Observership Program. Additionally, he has led comprehensive child mental health needs assessments in schools in Shanghai in collaboration with Chinese colleagues, further showcasing his global impact on mental health initiatives.
Selected Publications
[edit]- Belfer, M. L., & Saxena, S. (2006). WHO Child Atlas project. The Lancet, 367(9507), 1084–1085. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68435-6
- Belfer, M. L., & Nurcombe, B. (2007). Child and adolescent mental health policy worldwide: an update. International Psychiatry, 4(3), 60–62. doi:10.1002/j.2051-5545.2007.tb00124.x
- Belfer, M. L., Remschmidt, H., & Nurcombe, B. (2007). A Global Programme for Child and Adolescent Mental Health: A Challenge in the New Millennium. In M. R. Gelder, J. L. Lopez-Ibor, & N. Andreason (Eds.), New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry (pp. 1847–1853). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med/9780198565893.003.0276
- Belfer, M. L. (2008). Child and adolescent mental disorders: the magnitude of the problem across the globe. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49(3), 226–236. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01855.x
- Belfer, M. L. (2016). Child Mental Health Policy: The Time Is Now. In S. Malhotra & P. Santosh (Eds.), Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (pp. 309–314). Springer India. doi:10.1007/978-81-322-3619-1_23
Books co-authored
[edit]Through Children's Eyes: A Collection of Drawings and Stories from the Who Global School Contest on Mental Health. Originally published: 2001. Co-authors: Myron Belfer, Erica Wheeler, Linda Merieau
Awards
[edit]In 2010, Belfer received the International Contribution Award from IACAPAP for his efforts to promote child and adolescent mental health globally.
Press Mentions
[edit]- The Cost-Effectiveness of Treatments for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review, March 9th, 2021
- Why We Need Hopeful Minds, March 2nd, 2021
- Looking to Make a Mental Health Impact? Join Matthew Jackman, the New Lead of the iFred Youth Advisory Board, as He Creates a Team of Global Youth Hope Ambassadors Worldwide to Teach and Spread HOPE, April 1st, 2019
Close working colleagues
[edit]| Colleague 1 | Colleague 2 | Colleague 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Shekhar Saxena | Leon Eisenberg | Judith Palfrey |
| Olayinka Omigbodun | Norman Sartorius | Ahmed Okasha |
Personal life
[edit]In January 1967, Belfer married Sandra Ruth (Turner) Belfer in Pennsylvania. She died in 2023. They had two sons, Russell and Philip Belfer.
External References
[edit]- Harvard Catalyst Profile for Myron Lowell Belfer, MD
- Myron L. Belfer at Harvard Catalyst
- IACAPAP homepage
- IACAPAP Profile for Myron L. Belfer, MD, MPA, Honorary President of IACAPAP
- JSTOR profile for Myron Lowell Belfer, 3 publications listed
- Myron L. Belfer at ResearchGate
- Myron L. Belfer at Google Scholar (search)
- Scopus profile for Myron Lowell Belfer, Boston Children's Hospital, 67 publications listed
- Semantic Scholar refereed journal articles by Myron Lowell Belfer, MD
See Also
[edit]- International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP)
- Harvard Catalyst Profile
References
[edit]- ^ IACAPAP homepage
- ^ Harvard Catalyst profile
- ^ Partial bibliography
- ^ "Myron L Belfer in the U.S., Public Records Index, 1950–1993, Volume 2". Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "New York, New York, Index to Marriage Licenses, 1908–1910, 1938–1940". Ancestry.com. New York City Department of Records & Information Services. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
Marriage of Ira M. Belfer and Jean Kranish on December 25, 1938, Manhattan, New York. Certificate No. 20548.
- ^ "Jean Belfer in the U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930–Current". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
Obituary dated December 12, 2011. Jean Belfer, survived by sons Myron Belfer and Peter Belfer.
- ^ "Israel Belfer in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007". Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
Israel Belfer, later known as Ira M. Belfer, was born 13 June 1911 in Brooklyn, New York, and died 31 January 2001. Parents listed as Rubin Belfer and Bertha Temkin.
- ^ "Ira M. Belfer in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014". Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
Ira M. Belfer, born 12 June 1911, died 31 January 2001. Social Security Number issued in New York before 1951. Last residence: New York, NY 10165.
- ^ "Peter Belfer Memorial". Find a Grave. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
Peter Belfer, died September 7, 1971. Interred at Mount Judah Cemetery, Ridgewood, Queens County, New York, USA.
- ^ Hopeful Minds profile for Dr. Myron L. Belfer
- ^ "Myron L. Belfer – Hopeful Minds Advisory Board". hopefulminds.org. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "Myron L. Belfer, MD". Doximity. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "Myron L. Belfer, MD". Doximity. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ "Myron L. Belfer, MD". Doximity. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ Myron L. Belfer - Honorary President, IACAPAP
- ^ Myron L. Belfer - Faculty Profile at Boston Children's Hospital
- ^ Myron L. Belfer - Faculty at Harvard Medical School
- ^ Myron L. Belfer - Global Child Mental Health Observership Program
Category:Living people Category:1939 births Category:American psychiatrists Category:Harvard Medical School faculty Category:University of Rochester alumni Category:Albert Einstein College of Medicine alumni Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni Category:Children's hospitals in the United States Category:Harvard University