{"id":4785,"date":"2025-06-11T10:20:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artsci.case.edu\/magazine\/?p=4785"},"modified":"2025-07-03T12:50:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T16:50:25","slug":"distinguished-psychologist-norah-feeny-named-inaugural-executive-director-of-cwrus-sara-and-curt-moll-institute-for-mental-health-and-well-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artsci.case.edu\/magazine\/2025\/distinguished-psychologist-norah-feeny-named-inaugural-executive-director-of-cwrus-sara-and-curt-moll-institute-for-mental-health-and-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"Distinguished psychologist Norah Feeny named inaugural executive director of CWRU\u2019s Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Case Western Reserve University named Norah Feeny (left), the inaugural executive director of its Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being. With Feeny at the celebration marking the announcement of her appointment and the start of construction work were donor Sara Moll (center) and CWRU Provost Joy K. Ward. | Photo by Esterly Photography<\/p><\/div>\n

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When <\/span>Case Western Reserve University<\/span><\/a> announced a $60 million investment for the new <\/span>Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being<\/span><\/a>, it marked a commitment to address and advance the growing mental health crisis within and beyond Northeast Ohio.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now,<\/span> Norah Feeny<\/b><\/a>, PhD, a distinguished psychologist and renowned researcher in the field of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and trauma, will lead the effort as the Moll Institute’s inaugural executive director.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In her new position, Feeny, a professor of psychological sciences in the <\/span>College of Arts and Sciences<\/span><\/a> and director of the PTSD Treatment and Research Program, further elevates Case Western Reserve as an international leader in clinical psychology training and practice-based research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Moll Institute will provide critical research, training and resources to benefit the growing number of individuals living with mental illness as well as those who care for and support them,\u201d Case Western Reserve President <\/span>Eric W. Kaler<\/b><\/a> said during the June 4 announcement to celebrate the start of construction work on a new space for the institute. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to Sara and Curt Moll for their commitment to improving lives and outcomes through better mental health care and we are so pleased that Norah Feeny will lead the institute\u2019s efforts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeny\u2019s pioneering work has spanned more than three decades in diverse clinical settings, including sexual-assault programs, substance-abuse programs and outpatient clinics. Her research evaluates treatments, examines predictors of treatment success and optimizes therapies for the local community in need. She has also led treatment trials addressing pediatric PTSD, depression and bipolar disorder in youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNorah\u2019s exceptional career and dedication to advancing mental-health solutions make her the ideal leader for the Moll Institute,\u201d said <\/span>Joy K. Ward<\/b><\/a>, provost and executive vice president. \u201cHer expertise and vision will be instrumental in positioning the institute as a global leader in addressing critical mental-health challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing mental-health crisis<\/h2>\n

The Moll Institute, supported through a transformative commitment from Sara and Curt Moll, with the balance covered by the university, will address the escalating mental-health crisis through innovative research, education, clinical collaboration and community outreach. It will also double the number of clinical faculty in psychology and expand PhD training programs for clinical psychologists to meet the growing demand for mental-health expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n

The timing couldn\u2019t be more appropriate\u2014or needed.<\/span>
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