Dr. Joy Osofsky Retires After 38 Years of Service
After 38 years of dedicated service, Dr. Joy D. Osofsky, a distinguished clinical
and developmental psychologist, has retired from her role as the Paul J. Ramsay Endowed
Chair in Psychiatry, Barbara Lemann Professor of Child Welfare, and Professor of Psychiatry
and Pediatrics at LSU Health New Orleans.
“The LSU Health community and the broader field of child psychology will undoubtedly feel the impact of Dr. Osofsky's retirement,” says LSU Health New Orleans Chancellor, Dr. Steve Nelson. “Her legacy of compassion, leadership and dedication to improving the lives of children will continue to inspire future generations.”
Dr. Osofsky, a Syracuse University alumna with a PhD in clinical psychology, has had a prolific career marked by numerous accomplishments and contributions to the field. Throughout her tenure, she served as the Director of the Harris Center for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, leaving an indelible mark on the institution.
Known for her expertise in childhood trauma, Dr. Osofsky authored or edited seven books on the subject and played pivotal roles in responding to disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Her leadership in national and international organizations, such as ZERO TO THREE and the World Association for Infant Mental Health, further solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in the field.
Interim dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Dr. Richard DiCarlo, expressed his gratitude stating, "LSU Health New Orleans has been very fortunate to have had Dr. Osofsky on our faculty for so many years. She is nationally and internationally renowned for her work on childhood trauma. She has made New Orleans a better place, and she has been an outstanding mentor to trainees and junior faculty. She leaves behind a strong legacy of outstanding scholarship, excellence as a teacher, and dedication to serving the community."
Dr. Osofsky received accolades for her outstanding contributions, including the Sarah Haley Award for Clinical Excellence in trauma work from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies in 2007, the Reginald Lourie Award for leadership in 2010, the Translational Research Award from the International Congress on Infant Studies in 2020 and the ZERO TO THREE Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.