Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD, MS, FACPsych

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Brody 4E-100
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27834
Phone: 252-744-2660
Fax: 252-744-3815
Email: saeeds@ecu.edu
Administrative Roles:
Professor and Chair Emeritus
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Founding Director
ECU Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health
Founding Executive Director
North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP)
Dr. Saeed served as the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University from 2004 to 2022. During that time, he also served as the Executive Director of Behavioral Health Service Line for ECU Health, a non-profit hospital system made up of eight hospitals, physician practices, home health, hospice, wellness centers and other health care services serving 1.4 million people in 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina. Dr. Saeed also serves as the Founding Director of the Center for Telepsychiatry at ECU and as the Founding Executive Director of North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP), a state funded program covering over 60 hospitals and community-based sites across North Carolina.
A 1982 medical graduate of Dow Medical College, Dr. Saeed completed his residency training in psychiatry at the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute, Chicago. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is also certified in Psychiatric Administration and Management by the American Psychiatric Association and holds a MS degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy.
Prior to his appointment at East Carolina University, Dr. Saeed served as Professor and Chairman, Department of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (1995-2004) where he was also the Clinical Director for the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Service NetWork of North Central Illinois, a state-operated Network serving people with serious and persistent mental illness in 23 counties and covering 1.5 million lives in north central Illinois.
Dr. Saeed was the founding Editor of the American Association of Psychiatric Administrator’s Journal, Psychiatrist Administrator (2000-2010). He served as the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Psychiatric Administration and Management (JPAM) from 2011 to 2019. He serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals. He is a fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Health, London. He also serves on the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP), a think-tank for psychiatry dedicated to shaping psychiatric thinking, public programs, and clinical practice in mental health. In 2018 he was elected to the Governing Board of GAP. In 2014 Governor McCrory appointed him to the Governing Board of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. In 2016, he was reappointed to the board for a 4-year term by the governor.
With over 100 publications, Dr. Saeed has published extensively in the areas of evidence-based practices; telepsychiatry; psychiatric administration and leadership; and psychiatric treatment integration. He has been involved in funded research both as a principal investigator and co-investigator, with over $25,000,000 in external funding since 2004. He has lectured and presented nationwide and internationally, including being an invited speaker at a White House Convening on telehealth in 2016. In 2019 he was the recipient of the prestigious Gov. Oliver Max Gardner Award, the highest UNC award, selected by the UNC Board of Governors, to recognize UNC system faculty who have “made the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race“.
Research and Scholarly Interests
- Telepsychiatry and Health Technologies
- Psychiatric Administration, Management, and Leadership
- Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health Settings
- Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Lead PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $3,272,706 over 3 years
Funded by the United Health Foundation
Lead PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $1,543,477 over 5 years
Funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina
Lead PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $1,200,000
Funded by the United Health Foundation
Lead PI: Pamela Reis, PH.D.
Co-I: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD (0.2 FTE)
Funding: $2,798,904 over 3 years
Lead PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $120,000 over two years (2018-2020)
Funded by the Fullerton Foundation
Lead PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $4,000,000 over two years (FY 2013-2015)
$4,000,000 renewed for 2 years (FY 2015-2017)
$4,000,000 renewed for 2 years (FY 2017-2019)
$3,640,000 renewed for 2 years (FY 2019-2021)
$3,640,000 renewed for 2 years (FY 2021-2023)
Funded by the State of North Carolina through legislative action and state appropriations
Lead PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $1,500,000 over two years (2014-2016) to supplement the $4,000,000 support from state appropriations (above)
Funded by the Duke Endowment
Lead PI: David Cistola, MD
Co-I: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD (0.2 FTE)
Funding: $2,094,686.30 for the 2011-2012 year
$10,480,188.60 for the 2011-2016
PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $46,500/year
PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $129,410/year
PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $106,300/year
Co PIs: Kim Dixon, Ph.D. and Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD
Funding: $75,250/year for 3 years
Funded by Kate B. Reynold Foundation
PIs: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD and Timothy Bruce, Ph.D.
PI: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MC
Co-Is: Timothy Bruce, Ph.D. and Abraham R. Frenkel, MD
PI: Muhammad B. Yunus, MD
Co-Is: Sy Atezaz Saeed, MD and Carter S. Young, DO
PI: David A. Spiegel, MD
Co-Is: S. Atezaz Saeed, MD and Timothy J. Bruce, Ph.D.; Solvay and Upjohn Pharmaceutical Companies
Select Awards and Honors
- 2022. Innovation Award for Technology from North Carolina’s i2i Center for Integrative Health. The award was given for my work as the founder and executive director of the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP). The award celebrates innovation in services and programs that improve approaches to health care. The i2i Center for Integrative Heath convenes health care leaders to solve the most important issues affecting behavioral, intellectual, and developmental disabilities and primary health care in North Carolina.
- 2022. The Steve Jordan Award from the National Alliance for me4ntal Illness “in recognition of your work as an innovator and advocate for the development of effective services and supports for all those affected by mental illness.“
- 2022. Reappointed to the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services by the President Pro Temp of NC Senate, Senator Philip E. Berger, to represent the North Carolina Senate.
- 2022. Elected Secretary to the Board of Directors, Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP), a national think-tank for psychiatry, April 2022.
- 2022. Appointed Chair Emeritus by the Chancellor, East Carolina University
- 2021. Elected Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
- 2020. Appointed to the Governing Board of the American Board of Telehealth
- 2020. Appointed to the North Carolina Commission for Mental health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services by the President Pro Temp of NC Senate
- 2020. Breaking Barriers Through Telehealth Award for NC-STeP from the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) serving thirteen (13) states and Washington DC
- 2019 recipient of the Governor Oliver Max Gardner Award, the highest UNC award, selected by the UNC Board of Governors, to recognize UNC system faculty who have “made the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race.“
- 2019. Certificate of Appreciation for Honorable Achievement, North Carolina Institute of Medicine, in recognition of service (2014-2019) as a member of the Board of Directors and for outstanding contribution and commitment to the mission of the NC – Institute of Medicine to improve the health of North Carolinians
- 2018. Elected to the Board of Directors, Group for the Advancement of psychiatry (GAP), a national think-tank for psychiatry, April 2018
- 2017. University Scholar Recognition established to recognize exceptional scholarship at East Carolina University. Each year, academic units nominate faculty members deemed to represent excellence in the discipline. The University Reasearch Council reviews the nominees and conveys the designation. February 28, 2017
- 2016. Reappointed to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine for a 4-year term by the Governor, 2016-2020
- 2016. Invited to present on the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP) at the White House Convening on Telehealth. NC-STeP was one of only four programs selected to be showcased under the “Spotlight on Innovation” section of this convening, March 2016
- 2014. Appointed to the board of Directors of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine by the Governor
- 2014. Elected to be the Chair of the Committee on Administration and Leadership, the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP), a national think-tank for psychiatry.
- 2013. Elevated to Fellowship, American College of Psychiatrists as an official recognition of achievements, contributions, and leadership in the field of psychiatry. Kauai, Hawaii, February 2013
- 2013. American Psychiatric Association Administrative Psychiatry Award. Established in 1983 to honor an AOA member who is nationally recognized clinician executive, whose3 effectiveness as an administrator of major mental health programs has expanded the body of knowledge of management in the mental health services deliver system, and whose effectiveness has made it possible for them to function as a role model for other psychiatrists. The award and lecture were presented at the APA 57th Annual Meeting in San Francisco on May 18, 2013
- The Author Recognition Award, East Carolina University – The William E. Laupus health Sciences Library, created in 2005 to honor ECU Division of Health Sciences faculty and staff for their published rese4arch and scholarly contributions. As of 2022, I have received this award every year since its inception in 2005.
- Nancy C.A. Roeske Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Medical Student Education, awarded by the American Psychiatric Association, 2008
- Elected Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association, 2003
- Elected to the American College of Psychiatrists, 2000
- University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria: Faculty of the Year Award, in recognition of outstanding achievements in research, service, and education, identified as the most prestigious award given by the faculty of UICOMP, 1999
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Outstanding Psychiatrist Award, for exemplary psychiatric care, 1999
Select Publications
- Saeed SA, Lauriello J, and Roberts LW (editors). (2023). Textbook of Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, Third Edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-1-61537-337-6
- Ostermeyer BK, Dukes CH, Czapla C, Saeed SA. Psychiatric Leadership. (2023). In Saeed SA, Lauriello J, and Roberts LW (Editors). Textbook of Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, Third Edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-1-61537-337-6
- Williams TC, Saeed SA. Introduction to Talent Management: Acquiring and Retaining the Talent Essential to Success. (2023). In Saeed SA, Lauriello J, and Roberts LW (Editors). Textbook of Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, Third Edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-1-61537-337-6
- Williams TC, Saeed SA. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. (2023). In Saeed SA, Lauriello J, and Roberts LW (Editors). Textbook of Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, Third Edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-1-61537-337-6
- Saeed SA, Kolodner RM, Balog DJ. Health Information Technology. (2023). In Saeed SA, Lauriello J, and Roberts LW (Editors). Textbook of Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, Third Edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-1-61537-337-6
- Saeed SA, Shore JH, Yellowlees P. Using Technology for Providing Care. (2023). In Saeed SA, Lauriello J, and Roberts LW (Editors). Textbook of Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, Third Edition. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-1-61537-337-6
- Saeed SA, Pastis SI, Santos MG (2022). Treatment augmentation strategies for OCD: A review of 8 studies. Current Psychiatry 2022; Vol 21, No. 4; pp 39-46
- Muppavarapu K, Saeed SA, Jones K, Hurd O, Haley V. (2022). Study of impact of telehealth use on clinic “no show” rates at an academic practice. Psychiatric Q. 2022. April 12. Online ahead of print.
- Saeed SA, Pastis SI, Santos MG (2022). COVID-19 and its Impact on the Brain and Mind – A Conceptual Model and Supporting Evidence. Psychiatric Q. 2022 Mar; 93(1): 271-284
- Xue Y, Saeed SA, Liang H, Jones K, Muppavarapu KS. (2022). Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on telepsychiatry use across sex and race: a study of North Carolina emergency departments. Telemedicine and e-Health. Vol.00, No.00, Month 2022. Online first March 2022. DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0549
- Saeed SA, Gargano SP (2022). Natural disasters and mental health, International Review of Psychiatry, DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2037524. Published online: 15 Feb 2022
- Saeed SA, Jones K, Muppavarapu K. The Impact of NC Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP) on Cost Savings by Reducing Unnecessary Psychiatric Hospitalizations During a 6 1/2 Year Period. Psychiatric Q. 2021 Nov 18. DOI: 10.1007/s11126-021-09967-y. Online ahead of print.
- Saeed, SA & Masters, RM (2021). Disparities in health Care and the Digital Divide. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23(9), 61-4, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01274-4 [doi]
- Esterwood, E., & Saeed, SA (2020). Past Epidemics, Natural Disasters, COVID19, and Mental Health: Learning from History as we Deal with the Present and Prepare for the Future. The Psychiatric Quarterly, 91(4), 1121-1133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09808-4 [doi]
- Kothadia, RJ, Jones, K, Saeed, SA, & Torres, MJ (2020). The Impact of the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP) on Patients’ Dispositions From Emergency Departments. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 71(12), 1239-1244. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900431 [doi]
- Saeed, SA (2020). Top research findings of 2018-2019 for clinical practice. Current Psychiatry, 19(2), 22-28.
- Saeed, SA, & Hebishi, K (2020)/ The psychiatric consequences of COVID-19: 8 Studies: Initial research explores the toll on health care workers, patients, and the general public. Current Psychiatry, 19(11), 22-32.
- Saeed, SA, Lluberes, N, CCHP-MH, F, & Buwalda, VJ (2020). Applications of Technology. Seeking Value: Balancing Cost and Quality in Psychiatric Care, 245.
- Limon, FJ, Lamson, AL, Hodgson, J, Bowler, MC, and Saeed, SA (2019). Improving detection of depression symptoms in Latino farmworkers: Latino farmworker affective scale. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. DOI: 10.1177/0739986319831678
- Saeed, SA, Cunningham, K., & Bloch, R.M. (2019). Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Benefits of Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation. American Family Physician, 99(10), 620-627. https://doi.org/d14129 [pii]
- Limon FJ, Lamson AL, Hodgson J, Bowler MC, and Saeed SA (2018). Latino farmworkers and under-detection of depression: A review of the literature. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2018, Volume 40(2) 210-226.
- Saeed SA (2018). Successfully Navigating Multiple Electronic Health Records When Using Telepsychiatry: The NC-STeP Experience. Psychiatry Serv. 2018 Sept 1; 69(9):948-951. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201700406. Epub 2018 May 15.
- Saeed SA (2018). tower of Babel Problem in Telehealth: Addressing the Health Information Exchange Needs of the North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP). Psychiatric Q. 2018 Jun;89 (2): 489-495
- Saeed SA, Silver S, Buwalda VJA. eatal. (2017). Psychiatric Management, Administration, and Leadership: A Continuum or Distinct Concepts? Psychiatric Q: 89(2), 315-328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-017-9536-5.
- Pagano J, Kyle BN, Johnson TL, Saeed SA (2017). Training Psychiatry Residents in Psychotherapy: The Role of Manualized Treatments. Psychiatric Q. Volume 88. No.2. June. pp. 285-294
- Saeed SA, Johnson TL, Bagga M, Glass O. (2017). Training Residents in the Use of Telepsychiatry: Review of the Literature and a Proposed Elective. Psychiatric Q. Volume 88. No.2. June. pp 271-283
- Penders TM, Sanciu CN, Schoemann AM, Ninan PT, Bloch RM, Saeed SA. (2016). Bright Light Therapy as Augmentation of Pharmacotherapy for Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prim Care Companion for CNS Disorders 2016;18(5): doi:10.4088/PCC.15r01906
- Limon FJ, Lamson AL, Hodgson J, Bowler M, Saeed SA (2015). Screening for Depression in Latino Immigrants: A systematic Review of Depression Screening Instruments Translated into Spanish. J Immigrant Minority Health. Springer. Published online December 12, 2015. DOI 10.1007/s10903-015-0321-y.