The department was established as the Department of Neuropsychiatry in 1931 and changed to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in 1994. H. Keith H. Brodie was chair of the department from 1974 to 1982.
Altvater graduated from Duke University (A.B., 1930 and M.A., 1932). He earned a certificate in hospital administration in 1933. An original member of the faculty, held the position of the superintendent of Duke Hospital from 1930 to 1946.
Autopsy seating and observation areas were used for conferences and teaching in Duke Hospital. The handwritten note on the bottom left corner reads "OK. 5 to 7 units as per this sketch. To be built under my direction." The note is signed by Wilburt...
Joseph W. Beard was professor of surgery from 1937 to 1973. Beard, and his wife Dorothy, were an internationally prominent cancer team. In 1946 Beard became the James B. Duke professor of surgery and was appointed professor of virology in 1965.
Wolfgang (Bill) Joklik was James B. Duke Professor of Microbiology at Duke University, cancer researcher, and co-founder of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. Joklik was chair of the Dept. of Microbiology from 1968 to 1994.