Skip to main content

Jill RachBeisel, MD

Dr. Irving J. Taylor Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry

Academic Title:

Associate Professor

Primary Appointment:

Psychiatry

Administrative Title:

Chair, Department of Psychiatry

Additional Title:

Chair of Psychiatry Irving J. Taylor Professor and Chair

Location:

110 S Paca, 4N140

Phone (Primary):

(410) 328-5161

Fax:

(410) 328-3693

Education and Training

Dr. RachBeisel is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine where she received her medical degree in 1985. She completed her 4 year Psychiatric Residency Program, serving as Chief Resident in her 4th year from the Univeristy of Maryland Medical Center Psychiatric Residency Program in 1989.

Biosketch

A faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry since 1989, Dr. Jill RachBeisel is an associate professor who has provided clinical, teaching, research collaboration, and administrative leadership over the past 25 years. Dr. RachBeisel began her career in the field of acute psychiatric care, emergency psychiatric interventions and quality management in the hospital setting.

From 7/1/99 thru 6/30 2016 she then served as the Division Director for Community Psychiatry at the University of Maryland, overseeing  200 staff & physicians, providing community mental health services through four major programs: 1. Traditional clinic program, 2. Case Management Services, 3. Psychiatry Rehabilitation Services and 4. Programs of Assertive Community Treatment.

During her tenure in this position she developed a  skills based teaching program for individuals with SMI living in supervised transitional housing. Her Curriculum is entitled “Academy of Independent Living” and is designed to prepare persons with SMI to live independently. She has incorporated a Person-centered, recovery-oriented and trauma informed approach to care in all areas. 

In addition to her Division responsibilities Dr. RachBeisel was promoted to Chief of Clinical Services for the Department of Psychiatry on March 1, 2014 assuming the oversight, including program development & Performance Improvement, of all clinical services in the Department of Psychiatry. She is actively involved in understanding the impact of Population Health Management on persons with SMI as well as mental health issues in complex medical/surgical conditions. 

In 2019 Dr. RachBeisel was appointed the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and currently is leading the department's clinical, educational and reserach missions. Her most recent focus is expanding translational research in the areas of addiction and treatment resistant depression,  establishing the Advanced Depression Treatment Center  and  the Woman's Mental Health Program. A strong focus on diversity, equity and inclusion permeates all areas of the department, as well as mentorship and junior faculty development.  Dr. RachBeisel has adopted a team approach to moving the Department of Psychiatry forward. 

Research/Clinical Keywords

Adult Psychiatry, Integrated Care, Serious and Persistent Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, Women's Mental Health

Highlighted Publications

Maragakis,  A., Siddharthan, R., RachBeisel, J., & Snipes, C. 2015  Creating a “Reverse” Integrated Primary and Mental Health Care Clinic for Those with Serious Mental Illness. Primary Health Care Research & Development

Fenton, A. Sharps, P. Kverno, K. RachBeisel, J. Gorth, M.  A 12-Week Evidence-based Education Project to Reduce Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk in Adults with Serious Mental Illness in the Integrated Care Setting. J of Amer Psych Nurses Ass. 2021 Mar-Apr;27(2):134-142. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390320902825

Hare S, Reeves G, & Knight S, Benzer S, RachBeisel J. Virtual Civil Commitment Hearings: Convenience at the Cost of Compromised Communication and Safety Assessments. Psych Services  2023 Nov 14:appips20230217. doi: PMID: 37960864.

Clinical Specialty Details

In addition to her career long dedication to serving the seriously and persistently mentally ill, Dr. RachBeisel has developed interests in Women’s Mental Health ,Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults, the implementation of Evidenced-Based Clinical Practices in clinical programs including Illness Management and Recovery for the SMI population, Family involvement and the management of Substance Use Disorders in the face of Mental Illness.