About the Society

The Robert Bashford UNC Department of Psychiatry Alumni Society is a new and exciting group dedicated to enhancing the connection between past, present and future clinicians and researchers who have trained or served as faculty at UNC. The Robert Bashford Alumni Society is a revitalized and reinvigorated addition to the George C. Ham Society established in the early 1980’s as a way to honor the founder and first Chairman of the UNC Department of Psychiatry. It is our hope to now honor the late Dr. Bashford, a man who contributed an enormous amount of character and charisma to our department, while also fostering a sense of modernized community.

Alumni, Dr. Kenan Penaskovic is the interim chair of the UNC Department of Psychiatry, and has made a great point of emphasis thus far to engage current and former TarHeels and bring back regular alumni meetings and events. This alumni society is conceived as a venue wherein alumni and alumni of the Department can meet to share memories and experiences, as well as professional expertise.

How To Support

For more information on supporting the Department of Psychiatry through philanthropy, please contact Holli Gall, Senior Executive Director of Development and Communications at the UNC Health Foundation.

Give to Bashford Alumni Education Fund Update Your Contact Information Join the Alumni Facebook Group

Alumni Committee

Suggestions on reinvigorating the Bashford Society? Want more information? Contact our alumni coordinator, Dr. Surabhi Kasera

Register for Grand Rounds

Need CE? We are excited to announce, UNC Psychiatry has opened up Grand Rounds to Alumni!

We invite you to join our UNC Psychiatry 2025-2026 Grand Rounds season. This exclusive, credit-available opportunity features a wide range of mental health topics presented by local and nationally-renowned clinicians, researchers, and educators. Given the intricate nature of psychiatric disorders and the continuous advancements in psychiatric medicine and neuroscience, our Grand Rounds series offers mental health professionals a valuable chance to stay informed on relevant topics within their areas of interest.

Events

Alumni & Faculty Social: Friday, September 19th, 7pm at Whiskey Kitchen in Raleigh

We hope to see many UNC Psychiatry alumni at the NCPA Annual Meeting in Raleigh, September 18–21! Whether or not you’re attending the conference, we’d love for you to join us for this special social event with friends and colleagues- come reconnect, catch up, and celebrate our alumni community. Complimentary appetizers will be provided and guests are welcome to stay and order drinks or dinner. We look forward to seeing you there!

Support our Education Mission

Donations to the Bashford Alumni Society Fund help us send our residents to conferences, buy materials, host the intern retreat, cover meals during didactics and celebrate thank a resident day! Help us provide opportunities for our trainees and expand the resources we are able to provide for our next generation of learners.