Department of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine Celebrates Its Annual Achievements and Tops the Kingdom’s Psychiatry Ranking for 2026
Photography: Yasser Al-Khudairi
The Department of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine celebrated its academic, clinical, and research achievements today, Monday, June 15, 2026, during the department’s annual ceremony for the year 1447 AH. The event was attended by faculty members, physicians, trainees, and administrative and technical staff. The ceremony highlighted the year’s key milestones and distinguished achievements in healthcare, education, training, scientific research, and community service, and included the recognition of leaders, units, committees, training programs, and outstanding members who contributed to supporting the department’s progress and developing its services.
During his speech at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Shalwaih Al-Anzi, affirmed that the department’s achievements reflect the spirit of teamwork and integration among its various units and training programs. He noted that these successes were the result of the efforts of faculty members, researchers, physicians, trainees, and administrators in building a leading academic, clinical, and research environment. He explained that the department achieved a notable academic accomplishment by ranking first in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026 in Psychiatry and Mental Health, in addition to ranking sixth in the Arab world and twenty-sixth in the Middle East, reflecting its advanced scientific and research standing at the local and regional levels.
The ceremony featured the screening of a “Year in Review” film, highlighting the department’s most significant achievements and initiatives carried out by its specialized units during the year. Among these were the accomplishments of the Psychosomatic Medicine Unit, including the establishment of the Saudi Society of Psychosomatic Medicine and the election of four unit members to its Board of Directors. The unit also introduced specialized clinics for psychiatric disorders associated with gastrointestinal diseases, memory disorders clinics, and a geriatric psychopharmacology clinic, launched a psychiatric consultation program for hospitalized older adults, and established a Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship. The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit continued its scientific and community engagement through participation in local and international conferences, voluntary and awareness programs, and by strengthening partnerships with specialized organizations in the fields of autism, mental health, learning disabilities, and child health, in addition to contributing to related national and Gulf events. In the area of clinical service development, the Adult Psychiatry Unit implemented several specialized programs in psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction, and developmental disorders in adults, while also expanding group therapy services, preparing an Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) program, and submitting proposals for new subspecialty fellowships. The unit successfully reduced waiting times for new patient appointments from one year to a maximum of six weeks.
The ceremony concluded with an awards presentation, a group photograph, and the distribution of commemorative gifts in recognition of the distinguished efforts that have contributed to strengthening the department’s position as one of the leading psychiatry departments at the local and regional levels, and in support of its continued pursuit of excellence in education, scientific research, and healthcare.
