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Sansom@uthscsa.edu San Antonio (Oct. 31, 2006) – Charles L. Bowden, M.D., longtime professor of psychiatry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and a leading figure in studies of bipolar disorder, received one of the world’s most prestigious awards for psychiatric research Oct. 18 at a star-studded, national gala in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Bowden, who is honored with the Nancy Ullman Karren Chair in Psychiatry at the Health Science Center, is the sole honoree at the second Unmasking Mental Illness Gala of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Bowden received the 2006 NAMI Mind of America Scientific Research Award from Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982 and co-authored a 1993 book on the disorder.
The event took place at the Mellon Auditorium, one of the largest auditoriums in Washington and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “It is a big occasion,” Dr. Bowden said. “NAMI honors an outstanding person each year, but also uses this event to facilitate its primary fund-raising of the year nationally.”
The co-chairs of the evening included Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Rep. Pete Stark of California. Singer Judy Collins will provide the entertainment. The evening began with a reception, followed by a seated dinner and culminating in the Research Award presentation.
“This ranks with the greatest awards of my career, because it is viewed as one of, if not the, most prestigious award for psychiatric research in the world,” Dr. Bowden said.
NAMI is the largest consumer-driven, as opposed to professional medical-driven, organization addressing the needs of the mentally ill in the areas of supportive care, clinical services, and research to improve understanding and treatments.
Dr. Bowden praised NAMI’s San Antonio supporters, including Jerry Fulenwider and his late wife, Betty, for their zealous work on behalf of the needs of the mentally ill and for their efforts to support the Friends for Psychiatric Research in the Health Science Center’s department of psychiatry. “Jerry is on our advisory board and has given of his time and money in ways that have broadly benefited the department and the Health Science Center,” Dr. Bowden said.
The NAMI Mind of America Scientific Research Award is presented to scientists conducting pioneering work in two areas: schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The annual award alternates between these areas, so next year’s honor will go to a noted schizophrenia researcher.
Dr. Bowden has been instrumental in expanding the number of medication treatments for bipolar disorder in the past 15 years, as well as the benefits achieved with those medications. “I have also been one of a group of people who created sort of a paradigm shift away from treating only the acute episodes of illness to a long-term treatment approach that attempts to prevent and control acute episodes so people can have functional lives,” he said.
Dr. Bowden’s wife, Virginia Bowden, Ph.D., was in the audience. Dr. Virginia Bowden was the second director of the Health Science Center’s Dolph Briscoe Jr. Library, retiring in 2003.
