New York City, NY (April 10, 2012) - Bruce Schwartz, MD, Deputy Chairman of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Montefiore Medical Center, and a Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, has been named Chair of the American Hospital Association's Section for Psychiatry and Substance Abuse Services. The section's governing council represents 1,300 behavioral health providers across the country. During his one-year term, Dr. Schwartz and the 16-member governing council will work with the AHA to identify ways to define and focus AHA policy, advocacy and member resources to improve the quality, efficiency and delivery of psychiatric and substance abuse services.

Dr. Schwartz is also Clinical Director of Psychiatry at Montefiore, and Deputy Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry Behavioral Sciences at Einstein. Additionally, he helped create a behavioral management services organization, University Behavioral Associates, in 1995, for which he serves as President, CEO and Medical Director. Montefiore's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences provides comprehensive care for a full spectrum of general and specialty inpatient and outpatient services, and has one of the most advanced neuropsychiatric centers and emergency and crisis intervention programs. Expert psychiatric consultation services for inpatient or outpatient needs are available 24/7.

Noting this prestigious role for Dr. Schwartz, T. Byram Karasu, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Montefiore and University Chairman of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Einstein, said, "The Department is proud of this recent appointment of Bruce, recognizing his leadership in many national organizations." Dr. Schwartz's commitment to creating integrated delivery systems is demonstrated by his services on committees of many organizations, including The Greater New York Hospital Association's PPS Psychiatry Advisory Workgroup and Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services Committee, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's NYPD- Emergency Department Task Force, the New York Academy of Medicine's Committee on Membership and Admission and the AHA's 2005-2007 Behavioral Health Task F orce. Additionally, he serves as Chair of the Mental Health Association of New York City's Professional Advisory Board and on its Strategic Planning Committee and Board of Directors. Dr. Schwartz is also a consultant and Past Chairman on the American Psychiatry Association's Council of Healthcare Systems and Financing and served as the AHA's liaison to the committees of the American Psychiatry Association. Dr. Schwartz has been named a "Best Doctor" by both Castle Connolly and New York Magazine.

A graduate of Queens College of the City University of New York, Dr. Schwartz earned his medical degree from the State University of New York's Downstate Medical College in Brooklyn. He resides with his family in Ardsley, New York.