Team Member

Debra Lehman, BA Psychology

DebraLehman

My Background and Approach

I’ve always had an interest in helping people through attentive and supportive listening and, in fact, my BA was in Psychology.

Before joining Tomer T. Levin M.D. Psychiatry Center, I leveraged my passion for psychology to the field of Human Resources, helping people develop their careers and find new directions for over fifteen years.

I’m excited to have joined Dr. Levin, helping people with depression and anxiety. Our work really does make a difference and it is very satisfying to see improvement, growth and happier faces.

I love being part of the chain of care. Making sure that the care is smooth is an important mission and helping to do my bit are important to me.

I look forward to meeting you!

Education And Training

I earned my medical degree with honors from the University of Belgrade, followed by a dual residency in Neurology and Psychiatry. I pursued a specialized fellowship in the Psychiatry of Adolescents and Young Adults at the renowned Centre Alfred Binet in Paris. I then completed a four-year residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Leadership and Clinical Work

Throughout my career, I have held leadership roles at premier psychiatric centers in the tri-state area.

  • At the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, I conducted psychopharmacology research on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
  • At Columbia University and Kings County Hospital Center, I developed a focus on women’s mental health, initiating New York City’s first Inpatient Perinatal Psychiatry Program—among the first of its kind in the United States.
  • I served as Director of Inpatient Psychiatry at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, overseeing 160 acute beds and supervising a large multidisciplinary team.
  • I have also worked at Yale University and served internationally with the United Nations, helping to develop consultation-liaison psychiatry services in Zimbabwe.

Awards & Honors

1996

New York State Office of Mental Health Award for volunteer work at Manhattan Psychiatric Center

2000

Resident of the Year

2000

Cynthia Horner, MD Memorial Prize for Psychiatric Research

2004

Nancy C.A. Roeske, MD Certificate for Excellence in Medical Student Education (American Psychiatric Association)

2005

Nominee, Physician of the Year, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital