CMHC Director of Psychiatry Dr. Melissa Eshelman Honored for Excellence in Psychiatry and Medical Education
Published: October 23, 2026
Dr. Melissa Eshelman, Director of Psychiatry at the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) at The University of Texas at Austin, has recently earned prestigious honors recognizing her contributions to psychiatric care, teaching and mentorship.
In September 2026, Eshelman was inducted into the Susan M. Cox, M.D., Academy of Distinguished Educators at Dell Medical School and received the Excellence in Teaching Award. She was also promoted to Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in June.
These achievements follow her receipt of the 2025 Psychiatric Excellence Award from the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, an honor presented annually to one psychiatrist in Texas.
"These awards mean that my work — my clinical practice, teaching, administration and professional organizational leadership — is valued," Eshelman said.
The Academy of Distinguished Educators recognizes faculty who demonstrate sustained excellence in medical education, including teaching, mentorship, curriculum development and educational leadership. Eshelman's induction places her among a distinguished group of educators at Dell Medical School.
The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes her ongoing commitment to educating medical students, residents, fellows and other health professionals.
Her promotion to Clinical Professor marks another significant career milestone and recognizes her accomplishments and contributions to academic medicine.
As a first-generation college student, Eshelman said the path to becoming a physician was not easy. She initially considered her promotion to associate professor a pinnacle achievement, but encouragement from her family and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences leadership inspired her to pursue the rank of Clinical Professor.
"I am grateful I did," she said.
At CMHC, Eshelman leads a team of two psychiatrists and a nurse providing psychiatric services to UT Austin students. She has also helped implement changes to reduce barriers and expand access to psychiatric care.
Dr. Eshelman prioritizes the well-being of her patients, and I watch her repeatedly go the extra mile for them. Students are very lucky to be able to learn from her and her patients are in excellent hands.
- Ginny Maril, PhD, senior director of clinical services at CMHC
"What I love the most is making a difference in my patients' lives by treating their mental health issues so they can go on to achieve their potential," she said.
Her roles at CMHC and Dell Medical School are closely connected. She teaches and supervises residents and fellows completing clinical rotations at CMHC, giving future psychiatrists opportunities to gain experience providing care to college students.
"I see my younger self in them," Eshelman said. "I learned so much from my prior attendings and supervisors and want to share my knowledge with these future physicians, psychiatrists and mental health professionals."
While her recent honors recognize achievements across her career, Eshelman said providing direct care to students remains her greatest source of fulfillment.
"It is the direct clinical care I have provided to students at CMHC that has brought me the most joy," she said.
Her advice to future health professionals is to keep learning and share their knowledge and talents with others.