Dr. Willis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. He completed his Bachelor of Science at Georgetown University, his Medical Degree and Master of Public Health at the University of Connecticut, and his Triple Board Residency (Pediatrics/General Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) at Brown University. He was previously the director of the Hasbro Medical/Psychiatric Inpatient Program, and is now co-director of the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program (a day treatment program for children with physical and emotional co-morbidities) in Providence, RI. He has published research on pediatric non-epileptic seizures, and has authored publications on a variety of topics at the intersection of pediatrics and psychiatry, including eating disorders and functional neurological disorder. He maintains active board certifications with the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and is a current member of 4 academic and clinical committees within the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
1) Vinson AE, Dufort EM,Willis MD, Eberson CP, Harwell JI. DRESS Syndrome: Two pediatric cases demonstrating the range of severity in presentation - A case of Vancomycin induced drug hypersensitivity mimicking toxic shock syndrome and a milder case induced by Minocycline. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Volume 11, Issue 4; July 2010
2) Plioplys S, Doss J, Siddarth P, Bursch B, Falcone T, Forgey M, Hinman K, LaFrance W, Laptook R, Shaw R, Weisbrot D, Willis M, Caplan R. A multi-site controlled study of risk factors in pediatric psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsia 2014 Nov;55(11):1739-47.
3) Ridout KK, Ridout SJ, Willis MD, Faizan MK. Acute Psychosis in Two Patients with Bartter Syndrome. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2016 Jan 18.
4) Plioplys, S., Doss, J., Siddarth, P., Bursch, B., Falcone, T., Forgey, M., Hinman, K., LaFrance,
W.C., Laptook, R., Shaw, R.J., Weisbrot, D.M., Willis, M.D., & Caplan, R. (2016). Risk factors
for comorbid psychopathology in youth with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Seizure, 38,
32-37.
5) Doss, J., Caplan, R., Siddarth, P., Bursch, B., Falcone, T., Forgey, M., Hinman, K., LaFrance, W.C.
Jr., Laptook, R., Shaw, R.J., Weisbrot, D.M., Willis, M.D., Plioplys, S. Risk factors for learning problems in youth with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Epilepsy and Behavior. May 2017. Volume 70, 135-139.
6) Bursch, B., Doss, J., Caplan, R., Siddarth, P., Falcone, T., Forgey, M., Hinman, K., LaFrance, W.C.
Jr., Laptook, R., Shaw, R.J., Weisbrot, D.M., Willis, M.D., Plioplys, S Sibling Controlled Study of Parent Bonding, Coping and Health Care Use Among Youth with Non-Epileptic Seizures. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, November/December 2018. Volume 23; Issue 10; 1128-1137.
OTHER PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
1) DerMarderosian D, Chapman, C, Tortolani C, Willis M. Medical Considerations in Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders. Co-occuring Medical Illnesses in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Updates and Treatment Considerations. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. January 2018. Vol 27; No 1.
2) Willis M. Co-occuring Medical Illnesses in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Updates and Treatment Considerations. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. Guest Editor. January 2018. Vol 27; No 1.
BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS
1) Laptook R., Willis M., Anderson K. (2019) Developmental Regression: The Power of Anxiety on the Maturing Brain. In: Hauptman A., Salpekar J. (eds) Pediatric Neuropsychiatry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94998-7_12
OTHER NON-PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
1) Willis M. #WordsMatter: Communicating the voluntary-to-involuntary spectrum in conversion disorder. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL). May 2020. Volume 36, No. 5. ISSN 1058-1073. Online ISSN 1556-1775.
2) Emerson, N. D., Bursch, B., Forgey, M., Siddarth, P., Weisbrot, D. M., Shaw, R. J., Doss, J., Falcone, T., Hinman, K., LaFrance, W. C., Laptook, R., Willis, M. D., Deggelman, E. L., & Plioplys, S. (November, 2018). Parental Bonding and Child Coping Predict Urgent Health Care Use in Children with Non-Epileptic Seizures. Paper presented at the 4th International Congress of Clinical and Health Psychology on Children and Adolescents, Mallorca, Spain.
3) Willis M. Climbing the mountain: Fear of treatment progress and its relevance to the treatment of children and adolescents with somatic symptom disorders. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL). July 2017. Volume 33, No. 7. ISSN 1058-1073. Online ISSN 1556-1775.
4) Willis M. Communication Skills for Pain Assessment and Management: A Pilot Undergraduate Medical Curriculum Targeting the Public Health Problem of Suboptimal Pain Management in Current Medical Practice. Graduate Thesis, University of Connecticut Master of Public Health Program; May 2006.
5) Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, 2004-2005; Willis M. “An Evaluation of Asbestos Exposures in Occupied Spaces” (submitted to the Connecticut Department of Public Health in May 2005)
6) Willis M. Linkage of the Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Locus to the HLA Region of Chromosome 6 in Humans. Undergraduate Thesis, Department of Biology, Georgetown University; May 2001.
ABSTRACTS:
·Willis M, Kowal E, Kowal C, Lowenhaupt E, Hunt J, Francis G. The Kolb Learning Style Inventory and Psychotherapy Supervision Satisfaction in Psychiatry and Psychology Training Programs. Poster Presentation, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Educational Faculty Development Seminar. Providence, RI; April 2015.
·Neukirch JL, Rafferty JR, Pastorello CK, Willis MD, & Adams CM. (2015, March). The Adolescent Leadership Council (TALC) of Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, Los Angeles, CA. Abstract retrieved from http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X%2814%2900492-3/abstract
·Willis M, Kowal E, Kowal C, Lowenhaupt E, Hunt J, Francis G. The Kolb Learning Style Inventory and Psychotherapy Supervision Satisfaction in Psychiatry and Psychology Training Programs. Poster Presentation, American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training, Austin, TX, March 2011
·Maslow G, Senouillet J, Adams C, Froehlich W, Willis M. The Adolescent Leadership Council: A novel program for teens with chronic illness. Poster presentation. American Public Health Association 138th Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, November 2010.
·Adams C, Senouillet J, Willis M, Maslow G. ACTT NOW!! A Pilot Program Preparing Adolescents with Chronic Illness for Adulthood. Poster presentation. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 56th Annual Meeting. Honolulu, HI, October 2009
·Maslow G, Froehlich W, Willis M. ”The Draw-Your-Illness Test” and Adaptation to Chronic Illness. Poster presentation. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 55th Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois, October 2008.
INVITED MEDIA APPEARANCES:
·Willis M. Soda Bottles, Volcanoes, and Neuroanataomy: How Emotional Distress Causes Physical Symptoms in Kids, and What To Do About It. (October 2022) “Mindcast: Healthy Mind, Health Child.” Bradley Hospital Podcast Series. Bradley Hospital. East Providence, RI.
·Infante-Greene A, Brindle A, Fox G, Willis M. Student and Parent Mental Health During the COVID Pandemic: Commissioner Infante-Greene’s Conversation with RI Pediatricians. (February 2021) Published Zoom Session by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Providence, RI.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
·Willis M, Mattar M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (May 2024) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Somatic Symptom Disorders: A Clinical Review. (March 2024) Brown University/Alpert Medical School General Psychiatry Residency Seminar Series. Butler Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Clinical Case Conference 10: When Being Sick Feels Better: Family Systems Approaches to Functional Symptoms and Illness Identity. (October 2023) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 70th Annual Meeting. New York, NY.
·Willis M, Mattar M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (May 2023) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Functional Neurological Disorder in Children and Adolescents. (May 2023). Gateway Healthcare – Enhanced Outpatient Services (EOS) Team. Gateway Healthcare. Pawtucket, RI.
·Willis M. Family-Based Approaches to the Promotion of Emotional Expression in Children and Adolescents. (March 2023). Hasbro Partial Hospital Program Learning Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Somatic Symptom Disorders: A Clinical Review. (March 2023) Brown University/Alpert Medical School General Psychiatry Residency Seminar Series. Butler Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. (January 2023) Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Depression Screening in Children and Adolescents. (September 2022) Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child Protection Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. High Yield Psychiatry for the Pediatric Hospitalist. (August 2022) American Academy of Pediatrics - Pediatric Hospital Medicine PREP Course. Denver, CO.
·Willis M, Mattar M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (April 2022) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Somatic Symptom Disorders in Children and Adolescents. (March 2022) Brown University/Alpert Medical School General Psychiatry Residency Seminar Series. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Healthy Lifestyle Habits in the US: A Biopsychosocial Approach. Emotional Expression and Cognitive Restructuring. (December 2021) Brown University Undergraduate Course GISP0002. Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Mattar M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (April 2021) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. (March 2021) Hasbro Children’s Hospital Child Life Department Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
Willis M, Mattar M, Nassau J, Feld, E. Multimodal Treatment of a Patient with Conversion Disorder Across the Med/Psych Service Line. (March 2021). Bradley Hospital Complex Case Conference Series. Bradley Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. (August 2020) Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Mattar M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (April 2020) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Mattar M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (March 2019) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Laptook B, Reynolds K. Conversion Disorder. (March 2019). Hasbro Children’s Hospital Family-Based Integrated Care Didactic Series. Providence, RI.
·Rouse A, Vana G, Pierce D, Willis M. Integrated Psychiatric Care in an Academic Pediatric Primary Care Clinic: A Pilot Program. Poster presentation. Brown University Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. Mind Brain Research Day. March 2019.
·Willis M. Pharmacological Management of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. March 2019) Rational Drug Selection of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Primary Care. Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Rhode Island. Providence Marriot Hotel. Providence, RI
·Willis M. Lifelong Learning Institute: Module 15; Relevant Clinical Updates for Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. Co-Occurring Medical Issues in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (October 2016) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 65th Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA.
·Willis M. Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. (June 2018) Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Spencer B. If You Build It, They Will Come. Family-Based Integrated Care in the Treatment of Children with Physical and Emotional Illnesses within a Medical/Psychiatric Service Line. (May 2018) Grand Rounds; Medical Psychiatric Alliance; Hospital For Sick Children. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
·Willis M, Spencer D. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (April 2017) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Spencer D. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (April 2017) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Kramer D, Fritz G, Willis M, Benoit M, Ng W, Hudziak J, Cary M. Clinical Perspectives 26: Life Members Wisdom: Clinical Perspectives on Integrated Care, Health, Resilience, and the Future of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (October 2016) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual 63rd Annual Meeting. New York, NY.
·Maslow G, Willis M, Spencer D, Rafferty J, Brotkin S. Clinical Perspectives 51: Systems of Care for Youth With Physical Illness. (October 2016) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual 63rd Annual Meeting. New York, NY.
·Willis M, Mannix M, Spencer D, Treatment Issues in Transgender Youth. (September 2016) Hasbro Children’s Hospital Family-Based Integrated Care Didactic Series. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. (May 2016) Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Spencer D. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (March/April 2016) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Mannix M, Katz E, Spencer D, Pelletier H. Multimodal Management of Refractory Catatonia: A Multidisciplinary Care Case Discussion. (March 2016) Hasbro Children’s Hospital Family-Based Integrated Care Didactic Series. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. (November 2015) Rhode Island American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting. Cranston, RI.
·Willis M. Mannix M. Understanding and Managing Self-injurious Behavior. (August 2015) Hasbro Children’s Partial Hospital Program Didactic Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Spencer D. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (June 2015) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
· Willis M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (March 2015) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Lecture Series. Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Psychiatric Co-Morbidities in Pediatric Trauma: Risk Factors and Sequelae. (November 2014) Hasbro Children’s Hospital Pediatric Trauma Symposium: Changing Trends in Trauma Care. Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (June 2014) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Willis M. Pharmacological Management of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. (May 2014) Pediatric Psychology Seminar Series. Bradley Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital Children’s Research Center. Providence, RI.
·Willis M, Puster K, Neukirch J. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (May 2014). Bradley Hospital Conference Series, East Providence, RI.
·Willis, M., & Plante, W. (2013, February). Functional Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Approach. Presentation given as part of Alpert Medical School and Washington County Coalition for Children Collaborative Office Rounds, funded by the Rhode Island Foundation, Wakefield, RI and Westerly, RI.
Willis M. Katz E. Treatment Issues in Children and Adolescents with Medical and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities. (June 2012) Brown University/Alpert Medical School Child Psychiatry Fellowship Lecture Series. Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI.
·Maslow G, Froehlich, W, Willis M, Neukirch J. Growing Up with a Chronic Illness: Transition to Adulthood and Adult Medical Care. Pediatric Grand Rounds, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, May 2009.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | MPH | University of Connecticut |
| 2006 | MD | University of Connecticut |
| 2001 | BS | Georgetown University |
2011 Haffenreffer Family House Staff Excellence Award, Rhode Island Hospital
2014 Triple Board Residency Excellence in Teaching Award
2018 Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award, Alpert Medical School -Brown University
2019 Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award, Alpert Medical School -Brown University
2021 Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award, Alpert Medical School -Brown University
2023 Dean's Excellence in Teaching Award, Alpert Medical School -Brown University
Associate Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Member, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
| American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology | ABPN, Child psychiatry | 2015-Present | |
| American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology | 2013-Present | ||
| American Board of Pediatrics | Abp, Pediatrics | 2010-Present |
