New UAMS Geriatric Psychiatrist Now Accepting Patients
We all recognize there are unique challenges that come with aging. It’s important to talk with someone who understands the importance of mental health and well-being throughout every stage of life, and the golden years are certainly no different. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Clinic located on the Butterfield campus is an outstanding primary care option for BTV residents, Carriage Club members and staff – and now there is a new opportunity to access nearby mental health support, designed specifically with seniors in mind.
Matt Kern, M.D., a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist with UAMS, is a trusted and compassionate professional specifically dedicated to the mental health needs of seniors.He is currently accepting new patients at the UAMS Psychiatric Clinic, located about a mile from Butterfield Trail Village.
A native of Fort Smith, Ark., Kern brings a homespun charm to his encounters, avoiding use of complicated medical jargon. His treatment strategy embraces his personal perspective on care, “Let’s just figure out together what works!” He actively coordinates with his patients’ primary care providers and only schedules visits
when it feels like an appointment is needed. Kern is specialty trained to address the kinds of emotional, cognitive and behavioral issues commonly faced by seniors – and as a result of his extensive research, he is able to effectively utilize cognitive behavioral, supportive and mindfulness-based therapies in his practice.
Because aging can bring about depression, anxiety, dementia and other mental health challenges, Kern approaches each patient with empathy and respect. He tailors his treatments to support the whole person, not to just address symptoms. Using a holistic approach, Kern utilizes therapy, medication management, lifestyle interventions and support for both patients and their families. His overall goal is to help seniors live fulfilling lives – maintaining independence and dignity through collaboration with his patients to improve their mental health, cognitive function and overall well-being.
Kern attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was an Honors College Fellow and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in anthropology and psychology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and went on to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, N.C. for his psychiatry residency.
As a geriatric psychiatry fellow at UAMS, Kern served as team leader for an inpatient geriatric psychiatry ward, the physician on an interdisciplinary team in a memory clinic, as well as the primary point of contact for inpatient consults to psychiatry for geriatric patients across two VA hospitals. Kern also worked in an outpatient geriatric psychiatry clinic, giving him a valuable perspective that spans all kinds of treatment settings.
Appointments are available by calling
(479) 713-8350.
Available Services:
- Depression and
Anxiety Management - Dementia Care and Caregiver Support
- Medication Management
- Therapy and Counseling In-House Referrals
- Memory Enhancement Strategies
- Grief and Loss Counseling
Visit uamshealth.com/location/psychiatry-clinic to learn more.
