Monifa Seawell, M.D., a third-year resident in the Wayne State University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, has been appointed associate editor of a prestigious journal.

Dr. Seawell is now an editor of the Residents' Journal, a publication of the American Journal of Psychiatry, for the 2011-2012 academic year. Robert Freedman, M.D., editor of the journal, notified Dr. Seawell of her appointment March 3.

"My involvement with the AJP Residents' Journal over the past academic year ranks among my most enjoyable experiences as a trainee and has been markedly influential in shaping my career path," said Dr. Seawell, a native of Mays Landing, New Jersey. "Thus, it is truly an honor to be appointed to the position of associate editor. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the journal's amazing community of dedicated resident scholars, whose monthly contributions educate, inform and inspire other trainees. I am also excited to have the opportunity to learn from and work closely with the American Journal of Psychiatry's outstanding editorial staff. The WSU Department of Psychiatry has been tremendously supportive and I am honored to be able to represent them and my wonderful co-residents on a national level."

A 2008 graduate of the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, she has contributed three manuscripts to the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal. The first was an editorial on the importance of eliciting the context of psychiatric symptoms. Another article reviewed the practice of criminal profiling. Dr. Seawell served as the issue editor for the March 2011 issue of the Residents' Journal, which will be published later this month.

The Residents' Journal is published on line monthly with the American Journal of Psychiatry and is sent electronically to all psychiatry residents. As associate editor, Dr. Seawell will work with the journal's professional staff and contributing authors, determine manuscript acceptance, present at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting and develop ideas to further the journal's development.

The appointment fits well with her main areas of interest in the field of psychiatry, which include forensic psychiatry and academic psychiatry, particularly trainee education and manuscript development.