About Our Team

Faculty Bios

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• C. Neill Epperson, MD
• Deborah Kim, MD
• Sarah Mathews, MD, NCMP
• Delane Casiano, MD
• Lindsay Sortor, PsyD

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C. Neill Epperson, MD
Director of the Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness
Associate Professor (with Tenure) of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology

Dr. Epperson was recruited to the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania from Yale University School of Medicine in the Fall of 2009 to initiate and direct the Center's on-going activities. Dr. Epperson, who holds dual appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology, is internationally renowned for her research in women's mental health, specifically with respect to the pathophysiology and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and perinatal depression. Dr. Epperson was one of 30 University of Pennsylvania physicians recognized as "2011-2012 Best Doctors in America," selected by a consensus of her peers. Dr. Epperson has received numerous grants from private foundations, pharmaceutical companies and the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Most recently, Dr. Epperson has been awarded funding from the National Institute on Aging for her research regarding the effects of estrogen and serotonin on cognition in menopausal women. The quality of Dr. Epperson's research has been recognized as outstanding by her peers as evidenced by her extensive grant funding and research publications in top-tier scientific journals. Dr. Epperson is a frequent lecturer on topics in women's behavioral health and is available to speak at select public engagements.

 

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Deborah Kim, MD
Chief, Perinatal Division of the PCWBW
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Dr. Kim is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Chief of the Perinatal Division of the PCWBW. Dr. Kim is nationally recognized as a master clinician in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and as such is available to provide consultation and treatment of perinatal psychiatric disorders. She provides clinical services at our main University City location at 3535 Market Street. Dr. Kim’s research focuses on the use of a novel non-pharmacologic treatment for depression during pregnancy. This novel treatment, known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), may allow women with depression during pregnancy to forgo initiation of medication treatment. Dr. Kim is presently recruiting pregnant women to this National Institute of Mental Health funded research study as well as several other perinatal studies.  Please visit our Depression and Pregnancy Research Studies Page page for further details.

 

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Sarah Mathews, MD, NCMP
Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Mathews is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She has advanced training in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Mathews also has a particular interest in issues related to the behavioral health of aging and aged women, including the management of cognitive disorders, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Mathews has experience working with women throughout the reproductive lifecycle, including treating psychiatric illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period through the post-menopausal period. She provides clinical services at both 3535 Market Street in University City and at Pennsylvania Hospital in Center City.

 

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Delane Casiano, MD
Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Casiano is a licensed adult psychiatrist and an Instructor of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Director of the Maternal Wellness Initiative (MWI).  The MWI is the result of a collaborative effort with the PCWBW, Helen O. Dickens Center and the UPHS Health System.  This new public sector program seeks to enhance health care service delivery in obstetrical settings for pregnant and postpartum women with mental health problems.  In addition, Dr. Casiano’s research focuses on mental health disparities and cultural influences on psychiatric diagnosis and care.  She was principal investigator for a study funded by the National Institute on Mental Health that sought to evaluate how culture influences patients’ decisions about mental health treatment.  As a staff psychiatrist for the PCWBW, Dr. Casiano provides clinical consultation and ongoing treatment related to women's behavioral health across the lifespan at 3535 Market Street in University City.

 

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Lindsay Sortor, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Sortor is a clinical psychologist with expertise in reproductive issues as well as psycho-oncology. Her specific area of interest involves providing psychotherapy to young women coping with both a cancer diagnosis and the effects of any given treatment regimen on their plans for pregnancy. Dr. Sortor offers support to women at various stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment, and is available to see patients at both 3535 Market Street in University City and at Pennsylvania Hospital in Center City.

 

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