Clinical Grand Rounds

ADVANCED RECOVERY INSTITUTE |  CLINICAL GRAND ROUNDS

Leading Experts Addressing Timely Topics

Our monthly program brings together recognized experts in the mental health and addiction fields to share insights and best practices from their research and clinical experience. 


The virtual series runs every third Thursday (unless otherwise noted) of the month from 12-1:30pm. These presentations are free and open to the public ($10 if requiring CEUs, free CEUs for Root staff). If interested, please register below for each session. 

 Lori G. DiBlasi, PsyD
Lori G. DiBlasi, PsyD
Post Doctoral Fellow of Clinical Neuropsychology at University of Connecticut School of Medicine
NEXT UP
“Alcohol Use and Alcohol Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults: Clinical Implications"
JULY 17TH, 2025 12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


This presentation will outline the literature describing the potential myriads of risks associated with alcohol use in older adults, with an emphasis on the impacts on cognitive and emotional/behavioral functioning. Emphasis will be placed on relevant clinical information to provide clinicians with a foundation to work with this population and to assist with differential diagnosis and treatment planning.


    Provide education surrounding the risks associated with alcohol use in older adults, with particular emphasis placed on the cognitive and emotional/behavioral manifestations associated with alcohol use in aging brain. 

    Describe previous literature outlining the unique considerations when working clinically with this population.

    Describe specific cognitive and emotional/behavioral profiles of alcohol use and excessive alcohol use in this population.

    Discuss relevant clinical treatments and resources/supports for those impacted by alcohol use in older age.

JULY 17TH, 2025
“Alcohol Use and Alcohol Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults: Clinical Implications"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


This presentation will outline the literature describing the potential myriads of risks associated with alcohol use in older adults, with an emphasis on the impacts on cognitive and emotional/behavioral functioning. Emphasis will be placed on relevant clinical information to provide clinicians with a foundation to work with this population and to assist with differential diagnosis and treatment planning.


    Provide education surrounding the risks associated with alcohol use in older adults, with particular emphasis placed on the cognitive and emotional/behavioral manifestations associated with alcohol use in aging brain. 

    Describe previous literature outlining the unique considerations when working clinically with this population.

    Describe specific cognitive and emotional/behavioral profiles of alcohol use and excessive alcohol use in this population.

    Discuss relevant clinical treatments and resources/supports for those impacted by alcohol use in older age.

 Lori G. DiBlasi, PsyD
Lori G. DiBlasi, PsyD
Post Doctoral Fellow of Clinical Neuropsychology at University of Connecticut School of Medicine
AUGUST 21, 2025
"Widespread Prevalence of Novel Psychoactive Substances and How Traditional Testing Isn’t Always Detcting Them"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


Discussion will include an overview of the various classes of new designer substances appearing across the US, prevalence data pulled from recent laboratory testing and a review of available testing options to identify NPS use and/or exposure.

Jack Kain, PharmD
Jack Kain, PharmD
Director of Medical Science Liaison and Drug Monitoring and Toxicology at Quest Diagnostics
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
"MAT and Pregnancy"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis and Objectives:


This presentation will equip participants with an overview of the scientific literature on the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Participants will learn about best practices, risks and benefits, and how to work with patients to develop a comprehensive, interdisciplinary family care plan.

Margaret Lloyd Sieger, PhD
Margaret Lloyd Sieger, PhD
Associate Professor of Population Health at University of Kansas Medical Center & Principal Investigator of Connecticut Family Care Plans & Maternal-Child Health Study
OCTOBER 16, 2025
"Understanding Domestic Violence"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


This training will provide attendees with a basic understanding of the many forms of domestic violence. We will discuss the intersection between domestic violence and behavioral health and how domestic violence can increase symptomatology. Attendees will learn about implications to treatment settings, domestic violence inquiry, responding to disclosures, and techniques for working with survivors of domestic violence.


Identify the types of domestic violence.

Understand the intersection between domestic violence and behavioral health. 

Understand how to respond to domestic violence disclosures. 

Learn techniques for working with survivors.

Rachel Boucher, LCSW
Rachel Boucher, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Clinical Director of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
NOVEMBER 20, 2025
"Understanding Video Games: A Therapist's Call of Duty"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


Daily gaming among youth have rapidly escalated in recent years. American youth average over 3 hours each day playing video games, as a part of over nine hours per day of entertainment screen media.  Scientific research and clinical experience confirms that a significant minority of boys suffer from a behavioral addiction to video games, and reveals epidemiology, comorbidity, and effects on parameters of mental health, academic achievement, behavior, and sleep.   Although challenging, mental health providers can identify and effectively treat affected youth.


Participants will be able to:

  • Appreciate the extent of gaming habits in the lives of American youth.
  • Differentiate normal gaming from overuse and overuse from gaming disorder
  • Summarize research regarding the epidemiology of gaming disorder including risks factors, comorbidity, and outcomes.
  • Be able to prevent and treat gaming disorder, including help families establish and sustain healthy gaming habits.
Paul Weigle, MD
Paul Weigle, MD
Associate Medical Director for Natchaug Hospital at the University of Connecticut Medical School
DECEMBER 18, 2025
"Youth Drug Overdose in CT – Association with Fatal Suicidal Intentionality"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives: 

  • Review the scope of fatal drug overdose and suicide among youth-emerging adults in the U.S. & CT
  • Examine the desire and intent to die by drug overdose among young adults with opioid use disorders.
  • Address potential predictors/markers and discuss measures for reducing (fatal) drug overdose among young people.
Yifrah Kaminer MD, MBA
Yifrah Kaminer MD, MBA
Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry & Pediatrics at University of Connecticut School of Medicine
JANUARY 15, 2026
"Psychiatry in Modern Entertainment: The Bear"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


This lecture will review portrayals of psychological themes in modern entertainment using the Hulu series “The Bear” as a case study. We will discuss family dynamics, communication styles, substance use, faith, shame and achievement. 


Objective: To see how art can be an accurate reflection of the human condition so we can better understand our patients.

Trisha Pesce, MD
Trisha Pesce, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at ECHN
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
"Navigating Psychiatric Care in the Forensic Setting"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objective:  


Forensic psychiatry is a field that focuses on the intersection of mental health and the legal system. While there are many branches and roles, this discussion aims to provide an understanding of treatment within the forensic setting. 

Crystal Salcido, MD
Crystal Salcido, MD
MARCH 19, 2026
"Buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) for Opioid Use Disorder"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & objectives:


During this session, we will discuss how to approach the care of a patient with an opioid use disorder (OUD). We will review medications that are commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. We will appreciate complexities of this patient population and co-morbidities that may present challenges to care​. And we will discuss the definition of harm reduction and have a conversation about it.

Danise Schiliro, MD, FACP
Danise Schiliro, MD, FACP
Program Director for the Yale-Waterbury IM Residency Program at Waterbury Hospital
APRIL 16, 2026
"Growing Up With Family Violence: Risks and Resolutions"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis:


This presentation will focus on risk and resilience in children exposed to family violence. We will explore the science behind how violence exposure interacts with early child development to shape threat detection and emotion regulation. We will also explore evidence-based interventions for preventing and addressing violence-related mental health problems for children.


Objectives:


To learn about the definition and prevalence of children’s exposure to family violence


To review research examining associations between family violence and children’s threat detection and emotion regulation


To learn about evidence-based interventions to prevent and address  violence-related mental health problems for children 

Damion J. Grasso, Ph.D.
Damion J. Grasso, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at UConn Health, CT Licensed Clinical Psychologist
MAY 21ST
“Ethical & Practical Approach Treatment of a Medical Condition Over Objection in the Psychiatric Patient”

Synopsis and Objectives coming soon!

Katelyn Norman
Katelyn Norman
Clinical Educator at Yale-Waterbury Internal Medicine, Co-Chair at Waterbury Hospital Ethics Committee, and Assistant Professor at Quinnipiac University
JUNE 18, 2026
"Depression in Geriaric Patients"
12:00pm – 1:30pm ONLINE

Synopsis & Objectives:


This presentation will delve into understanding the development, treatment, and prevention of depression in senior and geriatric patients in various care settings.


Synopsis and Objective coming soon!

Yulia Riaz, MD, HEC-C
Yulia Riaz, MD, HEC-C
Director of Section of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Services, Waterbury Hospital; Associate Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine and Quinnipiac University School of Medicine.