Award History:

Dr. Klein is the epitome of clinical psychopharmacology from his earliest days as a psychiatrist with the advent of modern psychopharmacology in the 1960’s.  His clinical acumen and observation led to a clarity on the fundamentals of clinical psychopharmacology in the early 1960’s that the so-called major tranquilizers were not really tranquilizers and didn’t help anxious patients, but rather the patients with a psychotic illness.

He went on to define and provide not only phenomenology but also the pathophysiology and clinical management of the loosely defined anxiety disorders. His classic paper of 1974 describing endogenomorphic depression has helped develop the major concepts behind the modern understanding of clinical depression.  During the 1980s, Dr. Klein and his group led the clinical psychopharmacology research in defining the nature of clinical trials that still are relevant today.

In short, Dr. Klein brought rational and pragmatic approach to modern clinical psychopharmacology and the concepts behind major mood disorders.  Thus, he provides an excellent model for the trainees and practitioners of psychopharmacological practice.

Eligibility / Submission Requirements:

• A leader in the field who has made outstanding contributions
• Age 70+ or achieved an academic “emeritus” rank
• Full ASCP Member
• Peer and self-nominations are accepted

The recipient receives a $1,000 stipend upon attending and presenting at the Awards Ceremony during the ASCP Annual Meeting.

2027 Submission Deadline: To be announced.

Dr. Michael E. Thase is Professor of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine (University of Pennsylvania) and Philadelphia VAMC. A graduate The Ohio State University College Medicine, Professor Thase completed residency and fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he rose to the rank of Professor and Chief, Division of Academic Adult Psychiatry before his 2007 move to Philadelphia.

Professor Thase is renowned as a teacher, mentor, administrator, researcher and clinician. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the APA and a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. A past president of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, he recently was selected to receive the Society’s Donald F Klein award for Lifetime Achievement. Professor Thase is a member of advisory boards for the Anxiety and Depressive Disorders Association, the National Network of Depression Centers, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

In 2018 he was elected to the membership of Penn Medicine’s Academy of Master Clinicians, an honor bestowed to less than 2% of the medical school’s faculty. One of the world’s most highly cited psychiatrists, Professor Thase’s 1300+ publications include 16 citation classics. Among the 18 books that Professor Thase as authored, co-authored or edited, is the award-winning Learning Cognitive Therapy, now in its second edition.

Professor Thase’s research has been continuously funded by various federal agencies for the past 38 years and currently focuses on novel therapies for difficult to treat depressive disorders, comparative treatment effectiveness of therapies for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and dissemination and implementation of cost-effective forms of cognitive behavior therapy.