When C. Charles Burlingame, M.D. came to The Hartford Retreat in 1931 as superintendent, he was taking on what he described as a “stunning challenge.”
The Retreat had not fared well in the years surrounding the stock market crash of 1929. The death of hospital superintendent Whitefeld Thompson, M.D. in 1930 had also taken its toll on the spirit of The Retreat.
During his tenure at The Retreat, the medical and nursing staffs were increased and additional personnel were brought in to carry out ambitious programs of patient education. At the same time, an aggressive program was begun to improve the hospital facilities. Within six years, Dr. Burlingame had created a model community where patients could receive the best in psychiatric treatment, while relearning the skills of daily living. But improved facilities and excellence in patient care were only part of Dr. Burlingame’s plan for the hospital; he intended it to become an institution which fostered the exploration of mental illness and the mind through research, and the development of mental health professionals through education.
Although more than 50 years have passed since Dr. Burlingame’s death, his mark is clearly visible on the institution to which he devoted the last 19 years of his life. The Digest of Neurology and Psychiatry has been published without interruption since 1932, and the Institute staff continue to gather for weekly lectures (Grand Rounds). The education of nurses has changed in focus, but resident physicians continue to receive training at The Institute, as do social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
Today The Institute of Living is part of Hartford Hospital, serving as its behavioral health division. As we focus our efforts ever more intently on the value which research and education bring to our system of care, The Institute acknowledges its debt to the vision and dedication of Dr. Burlingame. The Burlingame Award was established in 1988 and has been presented annually since in recognition of outstanding leadership and lifetime achievement in psychiatric research and education.
2024 Recipient: Allan Tasman, MD
The Hartford HealthCare Institute of Living has awarded the 2024 C. Charles Burlingame, MD, award to Allan Tasman, MD, for his groundbreaking contributions regarding mental health disparities due to socio-economic and cultural factors. The Burlingame Award was established in 1988 and has been presented annually in recognition of outstanding leadership and lifetime achievement in psychiatric research and education.
Allan Tasman, MD, is Emeritus Professor, Chair (1991-2015), and Schwab Endowed Chair in Social and Community Psychiatry at the University of Louisville. He became known nationally in psychiatric education, community service, and as a highly regarded clinician at the University of Connecticut (1976-1991).
His commitment to serving underserved populations began in medical school where he founded the Lexington Free Clinic, and in the early 1990’s conceptualized and spearheaded implementation of an innovative nationally recognized non-profit managed care organization the Passport Health Plan which became Kentucky’s second largest Medicaid provider.
Dr. Tasman’s research has focused on the neurophysiology of cognitive processes. His Connecticut laboratory was one of the first globally to describe functional brain abnormalities in offspring of alcohol addict fathers.
His recent research has involved innovative neuromodulation treatments for autism and substance abuse. His publications include 38 books and over 340 other scientific publications. He has also founded two scientific journals and is founding lead Editor for all five editions of an internationally acclaimed comprehensive textbook, now named Tasman’s Psychiatry.
Past Recipients
2023 - Altha J. Stewart, M.D.
2022 - Boris Birmaher, M.D.
2021 - Herbert Y. Meltzer, M.D.
2020 - Ned H. Kalin, M.D.
2019 - Max Fink, M.D.
2018 - Kenneth Kendler, MD
2017 - Harold A. Pincus, M.D.
2016 - Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D.
2015 - David A. Brent, M.D.
2014 - Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D.
2013 - Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
2012 - Judith Rapoport, M.D.
2011 - Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D.
2010 - Professor Sir Michael Rutter, M.D.
2009 - David J. Kupfer, M.D.
2008 - K. Ranga Rama Krishnan, M.D.
2007 - Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, M.D.
2006 - Daniel N. Stern, M.D.
2005 - Herbert D. Kleber, M.D.
2004 - David H. Barlow, Ph.D.
2003 - Dilip V. Jeste, M.D.
2002 - Charles B. Nemeroff, M.D., Ph.D.
2001 - Paul S. Applebaum, M.D.
2000 - Lewis L. Judd, M.D.
1999 - Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D.
1998 - Lissy F. Jarvik, M.D., Ph.D.
1997 - Glen Gabbard, M.D.
1996 - Charles O’Brien, M.D.
1995 - Otto F. Kernberg, M.D.
1994 - Maurice J. Martin, M.D.
1993 - John C. Nemiah, M.D.
1992 - A. John Rush, M.D.
1991 - George Vaillant, M.D.
1990 - Dennis Cantwell, M.D.
1989 - William Carpenter, M.D.
1988 - Robert Kellner, M.D.