Trailblazing: Dr. Neill Epperson Elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Dr. Neill Epperson, Robert Freedman Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Anschutz School of Medicine, has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine. This distinction recognizes individuals whose outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service have made a profound impact on the advancement of medical science and public health.

As Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Dr. Epperson continues to lead with vision and impact, advancing research, mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists, and championing the integration of women’s health into mainstream psychiatric science. Her election to the National Academy of Medicine affirms her exceptional scientific leadership and enduring contributions to the field. A pioneering leader at the intersection of psychiatry and women’s health, Dr. Epperson has transformed understanding of how biological and environmental factors converge to influence mental health outcomes for women and girls. Her groundbreaking research identified the interaction between childhood adversity and gonadal steroid exposure as a critical driver of enduring brain changes that increase vulnerability to cognitive and mood disorders in females. This work has reshaped conceptual models of sex-specific risk in psychiatry.

Dr. Epperson’s work continues to shape the future of psychiatry and women’s mental health, improving outcomes for women worldwide. Her accomplishments exemplify the dedication to excellence and meaningful impact that defines the Women’s Health Research Cluster. To learn more about her research, visit her cluster profile.