May 30, 2007
Dr. Richard Macur Brousil is The Chicago School’s 2007 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. He will accept the award and speak to its newest class of alumni at The Chicago School’s Commencement ceremony to be held June 15 at the Civic Opera House.
The Distinguished Alumnae/Alumnus of the Year award is bestowed each year by The Chicago School Alumni Council. Recipients are recognized for a number of distinctions including professional achievements that demonstrate a benefit to the field of psychology; scholarly and humanitarian efforts that represent exemplary contributions in helping to improve the quality of life for clients; service to society as demonstrated by volunteer activities; and recognition by state, national, and/or international organizations for one’s abilities as a leader.
“It’s a huge honor to receive this award,” he remarked. “There has always been a strong connection for me to The Chicago School and always will be.”
Dr. Macur Brousil received his doctoral degree from The Chicago School in 1991. Since that time he has served Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical Center and Chicago in multiple roles in working with pediatric ecology and behavioral health clinics. Currently, he serves as the director of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Programs at Mount Sinai with its two divisions being Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Under the Rainbow Program.
In his 16 years as a doctor of psychology, Dr. Macur Brousil has created and implemented training programs for third year doctoral-level psychology externs at Mount Sinai. He has also presented educational seminars at numerous programs and agencies including the Department of Child and Family Services, the Jewish Children’s Bureau, and Schwab Rehabilitation Institute. Consistent with The Chicago School’s commitment to diversity education, many of these presented topics include interactive cultural sensitivity and competence, ethical issues in clinical and administrative settings, and the assessment and prevention of child abuse.
Reflecting that many of his externs are Chicago School students, he added, “what we do here at Mount Sinai is very much in line with what The Chicago School teaches. We are in a sense learning from one another.”
His commitment to the community extends far outside his work with Mount Sinai and The Chicago School. He has assisted various area schools in his participation with emergency and crisis interventions, teacher education in child abuse and neglect, individualized education programs, and mental health staffing. Dr. Macur Brousil continues to serve as an advocate and expert witness on behalf of abused children and has provided area schools support and consultation following trauma and shootings. He has also appeared on radio and television broadcasts speaking on numerous topics such as managing children and adolescent’s problematic behaviors and children and families’ responses to the trauma of 9/11.
“Cultural competency and community education,” he said, “is exactly what we do here at Mount Sinai and exactly what The Chicago School does so well.”
