Depression Center Executive Director Dr. John Greden Comments on Physician-Scientist 2016 Presidential Wish List

U of M Depression Center and Department of Psychiatry | August 15, 2016

Depression Center executive director Dr. John Greden commented on the following article, “A physician-scientist’s wish list for the 2016 U.S. presidential candidates.”

Dr. Greden noted, “Dr. Scott L. Friedman, Dean for Therapeutic Discovery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York presents a stellar wish list for presidential candidates to secure the future of American biomedical research and produce medical cures.

One special item screams for attention: financial support for a sustainable translational research network to conquer clinical depressions and bipolar illnesses. Brain illnesses impact one of every five, start young, are world leaders in burden of illness, top the charts in financial costs, and are variables in the nation’s social turmoil. Dr. Friedman’s wish list should build upon existing strengths, and personalized, precise treatments are required to reverse these figures.

The NNDC (National Network of Depression Centers) is an existing strength. It now incorporates 25 depression centers in eminent medical schools, emphasizes public-private partnerships across the nation, and is the missing translational research strength. Defeating depression is the aim.”

John F. Greden M.D. is the Founding Chair of the NNDC and Executive Director of the  University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center.