TTUHSC School of Medicine Names New Department of Psychiatry Chair

Sarah Wakefield, M.D.

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine announced the appointment of Sarah Mallard Wakefield, M.D., as the new chair of the Department of Psychiatry.
 
Wakefield’s work in recent years has revolved around relational psychiatry. She has given presentations regarding children’s mental health, perinatal mental health and juvenile justice. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry.
 
Since joining TTUHSC in 2014, she has served as director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services in the Department of Psychiatry and medical director of Medical Ethics at University Medical Center.
 
“Dr. Wakefield supervises resident rotations in child and adolescent, forensic and perinatal psychiatry and has primary clinical interests in the juvenile justice population and treating mothers in the prenatal and postpartum period,” said Steven L. Berk, M.D., TTUHSC executive vice president, provost and School of Medicine dean. “She has successfully completed research regarding design and efficacy of juvenile mental health courts and monitoring standards of psychotropic medications in both the psychiatric and primary care setting.”
 

Wakefield

Wakefield will take over for Dr. Terry McMahon who has held the chair for nearly 10 years. Berk said Wakefield has big shoes to fill.
 
“Dr. Terry McMahon has a long and very distinguished service record with the School of Medicine,” said Berk. “I am very appreciative of Dr. McMahon maintaining high standards and achieving significant accomplishments in the psychiatry clerkship and residency program, and for providing exceptional patient care to the people of the South Plains over many decades.”

Related Stories

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Moseley Named Permian Basin Regional Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

Kelly Moseley, DHSc, R.N., has been named the TTUHSC School of Nursing regional dean in the Permian Basin.

TTUHSC School of Nursing to Celebrate New YWCA Location

Community members in central Lubbock now have access to health care services and prenatal programs at one location inside the YWCA.

Recent Stories

Education

Santos Named Department of Surgery Chair for TTUHSC School of Medicine in Lubbock

As the new Department of Surgery chair for the School of Medicine in Lubbock, Ariel Santos, M.D., M.P.H., seeks to elevate TTUHSC’s role as the Hub of Surgery for West Texas.

Health

Covenant Health Brings Kidney Transplant Surgery Back to West Texas

The Kidney Transplant Program at Covenant Medical Center will provide life-changing opportunities for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney conditions.

Education

U.S. News & World Report Ranks TTUHSC Schools Among Best for 2025 Graduate School Rankings

Several graduate programs at TTUHSC have been recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings, reaffirming the university’s continued excellence in health sciences education and training.