Dr. Eynav Elgavish Accortt '94
Q: What challenges have you faced working during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The uncertainty about the virus and the changes that are rapidly unfolding no doubt make most of us feel on edge, regardless of the work we do. I work with pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with depression and/or anxiety. In the best of times, 20% of women develop a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD). COVID-19 adds a new challenge for pregnant women, women delivering their babies, and the postpartum period. Concerns about exposure to COVID-19, combined with physical distancing recommendations, can worsen depression and decrease access to the resources, such as mental health care and social supports, that women typically use to build resilience and promote recovery. Adjusting to parenthood after delivery is challenging under normal circumstances, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic.
Q: How has your work changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The primary change has been in my clinical work. I have conducted all of my therapy sessions (I am a cognitive behavioral therapist) virtually via HIPAA compliant software. I find it very convenient, as do my patients; however, the first consult via telemental health is challenging and not ideal for several reasons. We are making the most of the difficult situation, and I am happy to have such a supportive work environment at Cedars. In addition to my clinical work, I currently work on eight different research projects in various stages. Three of these are in the data collection stage and have been significantly affected by COVID-19 because we have been asked to halt all recruitment for the safety of our patients and participants. I can still actively run statistical analyses, write with my colleagues, and submit/edit publications at this time, so the other five projects have not been affected.
Q: What successes have you celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Clinically, I am happy to be able to help women achieve their mental health goals, yet in unique ways. There are several steps women with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder can take to optimize their mental health and thrive in the face of COVID-19. Therapy and social support can be invaluable at this time. However, COVID-19 presents unique barriers to engaging supports, particularly those outside of the home. One silver lining in the COVID-19 cloud is that many restrictions on telehealth – particularly teletherapy and telepsychiatry – have been lifted. Many providers and support groups have quickly pivoted to offer meetings and therapy online. For example, at Cedars-Sinai, my team began offering inpatient virtual support groups for women in the postpartum unit soon after the COVID-19 crisis began. Initially, women were allowed one support person (e.g., husband or doula) in the Labor and Delivery room. However, this person had to leave when a woman was transferred to the Postpartum Unit. This rule has recently changed again, and partners can stay, but women still need significant support because their entire postpartum “plan” has been upended. Helping them navigate this new normal, teaching them stress management and coping skills has been very satisfying. Research-wise, 4 of my team’s abstracts were accepted to the Fall Conference of the International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health. We hope to be able to present this research in October. I also was honored to receive the Maternal Mental Health Now’s Champion Award for my work on creating the Cedars-Sinai Postpartum Depression Screening Education and Referral Program in 2017. This was supposed to be awarded to my team and me on May 3rd, 2020, but has been postponed to the Fall. Personally, I think my husband and I deserve an award for successfully navigating working from home while helping our nine-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son with their online distance learning.
Q: What has been your most challenging moment working in healthcare?
A: I had a very hard year when I was an Intern working 60+ hour weeks. I was commuting an hour each way, with a one-year-old at home, to the Cincinnati VA to work with veterans. It was my first experience with trauma work, and I had some incredibly difficult PTSD cases. That year taught me so much that it's hard to think of it in a bad light, but it was very challenging both personally and professionally.
Q: What has been your proudest moment working in healthcare?
A: I was honored to participate in the California State Senate Health Committee Hearing in Sacramento in June 2017, where both AB 2193 (MD screening and insurer case management) and AB 3032 (Hospital Maternal Mental Health) passed and moved on to the Appropriations Committee. Being invited to testify on behalf of Cedars-Sinai, Maternal Mental Health Now, and my private practice, Perinatal Mental Health Care was a true privilege and pleasure.
Q: When and how did you decide to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: I have a diary entry from when I was eight years old that I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I spelled “psychiatrist” wrong (HA!) but seemed to understand what they do. At the end of 8th grade, I went through a brief lawyer stage – I was on the ISS debate team for years – and that ended the early senior year at Springs when I took AP Biology and fell back in love with science.
Q: How did your experience at Springs shape your career choice?
A: At Indian Springs, I was encouraged to try anything and everything and to not worry about the outcome – the journey is what matters most. I think that attitude sets you up for success in any career. I look back at the many tests, exams, and interviews and honestly cannot believe how challenging it all can be if you only focus on the immediate deadline. I learned to set goals at Springs and to focus on them, but not to get lost in their pursuit. The new Reproductive Psychology Program at Cedars is an example of a dream I have had for many years. I made it happen, but I am not nearly finished. I still have many goals in my career, and I look forward to every day’s ups and downs while working towards them.
Q: What advice would you give Springs students who want to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: Remain flexible and don’t let pride get in your way. I thought I wanted to be a psychiatrist and actively pursued pre-med and medical school admission. It didn’t come easily for me, and I had to retake the MCAT and apply several times. The final time I applied, I also applied to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs. I got into both MD and Ph.D. programs at several Universities and was then able to think about the type of career I wanted truly. The kind of care I wanted to provide. The kind of life balance I wanted. So I chose a different path because I knew it would suit me best. This is what matters, not the letters after your name.
Q: What can the Springs community do to help during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Not necessarily unique to the Springs Community, but some suggestions for ways to support others are listed below. After all, socially distanced as we may be, we’re all in this together.
1. Give Blood!
2. Donate to your favorite healthcare organization. Consider donating to the new Reproductive Psychology Program at Cedars-Sinai!
3. Explore ways to volunteer at a non-profit virtually!
4. Check-in on your neighbor!
5. Take care of yourself!!! You cannot support anyone else if you are neglecting your own physical and mental health.
Back
A: The uncertainty about the virus and the changes that are rapidly unfolding no doubt make most of us feel on edge, regardless of the work we do. I work with pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with depression and/or anxiety. In the best of times, 20% of women develop a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD). COVID-19 adds a new challenge for pregnant women, women delivering their babies, and the postpartum period. Concerns about exposure to COVID-19, combined with physical distancing recommendations, can worsen depression and decrease access to the resources, such as mental health care and social supports, that women typically use to build resilience and promote recovery. Adjusting to parenthood after delivery is challenging under normal circumstances, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic.
Q: How has your work changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The primary change has been in my clinical work. I have conducted all of my therapy sessions (I am a cognitive behavioral therapist) virtually via HIPAA compliant software. I find it very convenient, as do my patients; however, the first consult via telemental health is challenging and not ideal for several reasons. We are making the most of the difficult situation, and I am happy to have such a supportive work environment at Cedars. In addition to my clinical work, I currently work on eight different research projects in various stages. Three of these are in the data collection stage and have been significantly affected by COVID-19 because we have been asked to halt all recruitment for the safety of our patients and participants. I can still actively run statistical analyses, write with my colleagues, and submit/edit publications at this time, so the other five projects have not been affected.
Q: What successes have you celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Clinically, I am happy to be able to help women achieve their mental health goals, yet in unique ways. There are several steps women with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder can take to optimize their mental health and thrive in the face of COVID-19. Therapy and social support can be invaluable at this time. However, COVID-19 presents unique barriers to engaging supports, particularly those outside of the home. One silver lining in the COVID-19 cloud is that many restrictions on telehealth – particularly teletherapy and telepsychiatry – have been lifted. Many providers and support groups have quickly pivoted to offer meetings and therapy online. For example, at Cedars-Sinai, my team began offering inpatient virtual support groups for women in the postpartum unit soon after the COVID-19 crisis began. Initially, women were allowed one support person (e.g., husband or doula) in the Labor and Delivery room. However, this person had to leave when a woman was transferred to the Postpartum Unit. This rule has recently changed again, and partners can stay, but women still need significant support because their entire postpartum “plan” has been upended. Helping them navigate this new normal, teaching them stress management and coping skills has been very satisfying. Research-wise, 4 of my team’s abstracts were accepted to the Fall Conference of the International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health. We hope to be able to present this research in October. I also was honored to receive the Maternal Mental Health Now’s Champion Award for my work on creating the Cedars-Sinai Postpartum Depression Screening Education and Referral Program in 2017. This was supposed to be awarded to my team and me on May 3rd, 2020, but has been postponed to the Fall. Personally, I think my husband and I deserve an award for successfully navigating working from home while helping our nine-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son with their online distance learning.
Q: What has been your most challenging moment working in healthcare?
A: I had a very hard year when I was an Intern working 60+ hour weeks. I was commuting an hour each way, with a one-year-old at home, to the Cincinnati VA to work with veterans. It was my first experience with trauma work, and I had some incredibly difficult PTSD cases. That year taught me so much that it's hard to think of it in a bad light, but it was very challenging both personally and professionally.
Q: What has been your proudest moment working in healthcare?
A: I was honored to participate in the California State Senate Health Committee Hearing in Sacramento in June 2017, where both AB 2193 (MD screening and insurer case management) and AB 3032 (Hospital Maternal Mental Health) passed and moved on to the Appropriations Committee. Being invited to testify on behalf of Cedars-Sinai, Maternal Mental Health Now, and my private practice, Perinatal Mental Health Care was a true privilege and pleasure.
Q: When and how did you decide to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: I have a diary entry from when I was eight years old that I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I spelled “psychiatrist” wrong (HA!) but seemed to understand what they do. At the end of 8th grade, I went through a brief lawyer stage – I was on the ISS debate team for years – and that ended the early senior year at Springs when I took AP Biology and fell back in love with science.
Q: How did your experience at Springs shape your career choice?
A: At Indian Springs, I was encouraged to try anything and everything and to not worry about the outcome – the journey is what matters most. I think that attitude sets you up for success in any career. I look back at the many tests, exams, and interviews and honestly cannot believe how challenging it all can be if you only focus on the immediate deadline. I learned to set goals at Springs and to focus on them, but not to get lost in their pursuit. The new Reproductive Psychology Program at Cedars is an example of a dream I have had for many years. I made it happen, but I am not nearly finished. I still have many goals in my career, and I look forward to every day’s ups and downs while working towards them.
Q: What advice would you give Springs students who want to pursue a career in healthcare?
A: Remain flexible and don’t let pride get in your way. I thought I wanted to be a psychiatrist and actively pursued pre-med and medical school admission. It didn’t come easily for me, and I had to retake the MCAT and apply several times. The final time I applied, I also applied to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs. I got into both MD and Ph.D. programs at several Universities and was then able to think about the type of career I wanted truly. The kind of care I wanted to provide. The kind of life balance I wanted. So I chose a different path because I knew it would suit me best. This is what matters, not the letters after your name.
Q: What can the Springs community do to help during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Not necessarily unique to the Springs Community, but some suggestions for ways to support others are listed below. After all, socially distanced as we may be, we’re all in this together.
1. Give Blood!
2. Donate to your favorite healthcare organization. Consider donating to the new Reproductive Psychology Program at Cedars-Sinai!
3. Explore ways to volunteer at a non-profit virtually!
4. Check-in on your neighbor!
5. Take care of yourself!!! You cannot support anyone else if you are neglecting your own physical and mental health.
190 Woodward Drive, Indian Springs, Alabama 35124
Phone: 205.988.3350
Indian Springs School, an independent school recognized nationally as a leader in boarding and day education for grades 8-12, serves a talented and diverse student body and offers admission to qualified students regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Located in Indian Springs, Alabama, just south of Birmingham, the school does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.
© 2023 Indian Springs School. All Rights Reserved.
© 2023 Indian Springs School. All Rights Reserved.