Director appointed for CPEP at Stony Brook University Hospital
Abdulkader Alam, MD, oversees Suffolk County’s only comprehensive psychiatric emergency program
![]() |
Dr. Alam |
STONY BROOK, N.Y., September 26, 2013 – Abdulkader (Al) Alam, MD, has been appointed Director of the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) at Stony Brook University Hospital effective Sept. 16, announced Ramin Parsey, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science of the Stony Brook University School of Medicine.
Dr. Alam is a graduate of the Damascus University School of Medicine in Syria. Board certified in internal medicine and psychiatry, he completed his residencies in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at the Nassau University Medical Center in Hempstead, NY. He comes to Stony Brook from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he had served since 2008, including his role as Associate Medical Director for Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry since 2012.
“Dr. Alam is a progressive clinical leader who is uniquely qualified to help patients deal with the complex medical and psychiatric problems we see at Stony Brook,” Dr. Parsey said. “He loves to teach and has published important articles in leading medical journals. He is already making strides to improve the safety, quality and efficiency of our psychiatric emergency service.”
Dr. Alam describes himself as a “clinical educator” who looks forward to combining teaching with the clinical care of patients. Among his first priorities, he said, is improving clinical workflow in the CPEP to manage the high volume of patients seen in the department.
As Suffolk County’s only emergency psychiatric program, the CPEP at SBUH had more than 6,700 patient visits last year. The program is licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health to evaluate, treat and refer Suffolk County residents who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
“I am happy to return to Long Island,” said Dr. Alam. “I look forward to working in emergency psychiatry because it allows me to apply my skills in medicine as well as psychiatry.”
Dr. Alam said his background in medicine will help improve collaborations with other departments at SBUH. He is board certified in Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, and will have appointments as Assistant Professor in both departments. His publications include several articles dealing with medical issues experienced by people with psychiatric disorders.
About the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP)
Stony Brook University Hospital operates Suffolk County’s only state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). Located adjacent to the main Emergency Department at SBUH, the CPEP is licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health to evaluate, treat and refer Suffolk County residents experiencing a psychiatric emergency. The program treats more than 6,700 patients annually. For more information, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patientcare/cpep.
© Stony Brook University 2013