The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry announced that Richard Pleak, M.D., Class of 1980, has been selected to receive the 2015 AACAP Jeanne Spurlock Lecture and Award on Diversity and Culture.

Dr. Pleak is the director of Education in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and an associate professor of Psychiatry at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

The AACAP Jeanne Spurlock Lecture and Award on Diversity and Culture is named in honor of Jeanne Spurlock, M.D., in recognition of her legendary commitment to recruiting members from diverse cultures into child and adolescent psychiatry. AACAP created the lecture and award in her honor to recognize her work and encourage others to follow her example. The lecture and award is funded by the Jeanne Spurlock Minority Fellowship Fund.

Dr. Pleak will present "30 Years of Helping Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth and Professionals: The Importance of Family, Mentors, Students, Colleagues and Our Academy" at the AACAP's 62nd annual meeting on Oct. 28 in San Antonio.