Objective: The authors demonstrate the role that research can play in the development of an academic department of psychiatry. Method: The authors explore the challenges and achievements in the transition of one department from a strong clinically- and educationally-centered department to one with an equally strong research focus. Results: The department significantly expanded and improved its research, educational role, and contribution to its medical school. Conclusions: Leading departments of psychiatry in the United States have extremely strong research divisions. The research enterprise brings a critical academic identity to the institution and a stronger reputation and differentiates the department within the health-delivery system. However, for a department developing a research program, the frontline clinicians, staff, and students may see research as an imposition on patients and a distraction from the perceived primary mission, and they may be concerned about how they will be perceived as the institution changes its identity.