MIRECC / CoE

Our program trains fellows to become successful researchers whose work increases access to effective mental health services for all Veterans who need them. People living with mental health conditions face stigma, discrimination, poverty, homelessness, lack of access to health care, and health disparities – as well as the challenges of their health problems -- that present enormous barriers to recovery. Many do not have a voice in their care. We are clinician researchers who are committed to addressing this through innovative applied research and resource development. Our active research program addresses some of the most important mental health services research priorities within VA: evaluating peer-delivered mental health services to support their wide-scale implementation and dissemination; determining effective strategies for engaging Veterans in mental health services and ensuring that those services are personally meaningful; developing interventions that move beyond the medical model of treating symptoms with medication by promoting holistic and self-directed recovery and by addressing the intersections of gender, age, being a Veteran and other social identities with mental health and healthcare; expanding Whole Health knowledge and resources within VA so that this model is fully realized within mental health treatment programs; actively involving Veterans who may benefit from specialized mental health services; and working towards reducing suicide through better identification of and engagement with those at highest risk.

Fellows develop independent programs of research that address these and other high priority areas to improve the lives of Veterans. Fellows also devote time to supervised delivery of mental health services, both to identify important clinical questions and to experience first-hand the challenges and successes related to translating scientific findings into their practice. Our didactic offerings, complemented by those of the national program, offer focused learning in biostatistical methods, health informatics, and grant writing alongside opportunities to develop and apply knowledge to support the equity and empowerment of people living with mental health conditions. Overall, fellows spend approximately 65% of their time in research-related research and clinical activities, 25% of their time in clinical service and training activities, and 10% of their time in didactic and administrative activities. We are committed to supporting diversity within our Fellowship and welcome applications from candidates representing different geographic areas, ages, gender identities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disabilities, disciplines, and life experiences.

We are one of 25 sites in the national VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment. Our Fellowship Program follows the broad organizational structure of the national program, which aims to provide clinical research activities in concert with clinical experiences over a two-year time frame. MIRECC Fellowship sites around the nation are linked electronically and by two-way interactive videoconference for learning, information sharing, and the development of a national laboratory in advanced psychiatry and psychology. Our program is affiliated with the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry; this provides an outstanding collaborative and interdisciplinary setting for fellows. Our program has been in existence and offering postdoctoral training since 2003. Our fellows have established careers as experts in serious mental illness research and clinical care in VA, academic, and hospital settings.

All applicants should submit the following documents:

1. A letter of interest that outlines career goals, expectations, and goodness of fit with the mission of the VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment at the VISN 5 MIRECC
2. A current curriculum vitae
3. Official graduate transcripts
4. Three signed letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an internship supervisor

These documents can be emailed directly to Dr. Bennett or, for psychologist applicants, can be submitted through the APPA CAS portal (http://appic.org/AAPI-APPA/APPA-Postdoc-Application-Information).