Update in Schizophrenia 2026: From Stigma to Science: Schizophrenia and Chronic Mental Health Challenges in Modern Psychiatry

Chicago, IL US
May 13, 2026
Schizophrenia affects more than 24 million people worldwide and remains a chronic, severe, and often disabling disease. Historically, treatment has centered around dopamine-blocking antipsychotic medications and short-term hospitalizations, rooted in a symptom-focused approach. Yet, schizophrenia continues to be shrouded in stigma, obscuring the true lived experiences of those affected.
 
This symposium is designed for caregivers and healthcare professionals, driven by an impassioned keynote speaker and supported by nationally renowned advocates and scientific experts. Participants will move beyond simple categorical models to appreciate the multidimensional realities of living with schizophrenia—through the eyes of individuals, families, and communities. The course will encourage a more wholistic approach to care, addressing not only the symptoms, but also the profound cognitive and social impacts of the disorder.
 
Recent scientific advancements presenting schizophrenia as a genetically-based developmental disorder underscore the importance of early interventions. In addition to exploring well-known symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and negative symptoms, this symposium focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments, one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of schizophrenia.
 
This educational program addresses gaps in knowledge and competence and responds to the urgent need for advancing understanding and care of schizophrenia in both clinical practice and community settings.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for medical professionals working in Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and allied mental health fields within the Chicagoland area.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the lived experience of schizophrenia and chronic mental health issues from the perspectives of the individual, family, and community;
  • Explain the role of brain development in schizophrenia;
  • Identify and discuss the specific cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia and the neural mechanisms underlying these.
Additional information
ACGME/ABMS Core Competencies: 
Medical Knowledge
Practice-based Learning and Improvement
For more information, please contact:
CME Coordinator Contact Name: 
Evelyn Morales
CME Coordinator Contact Email: 
[email protected]

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Summary
Available credit: 
  • 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 4.75 Participation
Event starts: 
05/13/2026 - 8:00am
Event ends: 
05/13/2026 - 1:00pm
Activity opens: 
01/23/2026
Activity expires: 
06/13/2026
Add to calendar: 
TimeSessionFaculty
8:00 – 8:15 AMINTRODUCTION

Ramon Solhkhah, MD/ Adrienne Adams, MD
LaVert Foundation

8:15 – 9:05 AMPRESENTATION: Update on Assessment and Treatment of Psychotic DisordersBradley Cutler, MD
9:05 – 9:45 AMPRESENTATION: Cognitive Functioning in Serious Mental Illness: Neural Mechanisms and Current TreatmentMolly Erickson, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry & Behavior Neuroscience University of Chicago
9:45 – 10:00 AMBreakBreak
10:00 – 10:45 AMPRESENTATION: Ways to Combat Racial Disparities within Severe Mental Illnesses via Innovative Neuroscience Research in Underrepresented PopulationsDaniel Weinberger, MD
10:45 – 12:00 AMPRESENTATION: Innovation in Mental Health: Lessons at the Intersection of Entrepreneurship, Systems, and ValuesPatrick Kennedy
12:00 AM – 1:00 PM    LUNCH & QUESTION PANELAll Speakers

The agenda is subject to change.

Swedish Hospital
5140 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
United States
HYBRID MEETING
This activity can be attended in person or virtually. For more information, visit Swedish Hospital's website or contact Evelyn Morales via e-mail.

ACCESSIBILITY The University of Chicago is committed to providing equal access appropriate to need and circumstances and complies fully with legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are in need of special accommodation, please contact Evelyn Morales via email at [email protected].
 
The University of Chicago reserves the right to cancel or postpone this conference due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event this activity must be cancelled or postponed, the registration fee will be refunded; however, The University of Chicago is not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses to participants, including fees assessed by airline/travel/lodging agencies.
COURSE DIRECTOR
Adrienne Adams, MD
 
Disclosure Declarations
As a provider accredited by the ACCME, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine asks everyone in a position to control the content of an education activity to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible companies. This includes any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Financial relationships are relevant if a financial relationship, in any amount, exists between the person in control of content and an ineligible company during the past 24 months, and the content of the education is related to the products of an ineligible company with whom the person has a financial relationship. Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any relevant financial relationships prior to the start of the activity.

Additionally, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine requires Authors to identify investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration at first mention and where appropriate in the content.
Physician Credit
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and Endeavor Health. The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other Participant Credit
Other participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of Certificates of Participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME, please consult your professional licensing board.

Please note: The credit claiming process will close 30 days after the activity ends. Requests to claim credit after 30 days may incur additional fees.
HOW TO REGISTER
Please log in or create an account to register. Once logged in, select the registration type that best suits you. For help, follow our PDF icon registration guide.
 
 
Registration TypeFee
In Person$125
Virtual$125
Registration is non-refundable.

HOW TO CLAIM CREDIT
At the end of the activity, the credit-claiming process will unlock. Return to this page and simply click on "Complete Activity" to proceed.
Please note: The credit claiming process will close 30 days after the activity ends. Requests to claim credit after 30 days may incur additional fees.
 
Please login or create an account to proceed.