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MIRECC / CoE

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Home | South Central MIRECC

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Drs. Gala True and Claire Houtsma. The Armory Project (TAP) helps prevent firearm suicide by facilitating temporary and voluntary out-of-home firearm storage with trusted firearm retailers and other vetted partners in local communities, while fostering a culture of responsible gun ownership and mental wellness. We also partner across the firearm industry to make secure in-home firearm storage more accessible and affordable, with the goal of preventing firearm accidents, thefts, and suicide.

Spotlight: Drs. Gala True and Claire Houtsma

TAP empowers firearm owners with practical, judgment-free options for responsible firearm storage, particularly when they need time and space to navigate personal challenges.

Learn More at TAP website »

Watch CBS News Story »

chart of SC MIRECC distinctive features including working relationships and emphasis on focus areas

Distinctive SC MIRECC Features

Distinctive features of the SC MIRECC include local and network-wide relationships and emphasis on focus areas that include rural Veterans and others facing barriers to care.

Map of VISN 16

Location

The SC MIRECC is located in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16.

 

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The mission of the South Central MIRECC is to promote engagement, access, and quality of mental health care for Veterans facing barriers to care, especially rural Veterans.

For more information, email us at VISN16SCMIRECCEducation@va.gov

Leadership

Directors

Assistant Directors

Site Leaders

Dr. Michael Cucciare

Director
Michael A. Cucciare, PhD
Michael.Cucciare@va.gov | MACucciare@uams.edu

 

Dr. Jan Lindsay

Co-Director
Jan Lindsay, PhD
Jan.Lindsay2@va.gov

 

Dr. Ali Abbas Asghar-Ali

Associate Director for Education
Ali Abbas Asghar-Ali, MD
Ali.Asghar-Ali@va.gov | asgharal@bcm.edu

 

Dr. Jeffrey Cully

Associate Director for Improving Clinical Care
Jeffrey (Jeff) Cully, PhD
Jeffrey.Cully@va.gov

 

Dr. Natalie Hundt

Associate Director for Research Training
Natalie Hundt, PhD
Natalie.Hundt@va.gov

 

Dr. Jeff Pyne

Associate Director for Research
Jeffrey (Jeff) Pyne, MD
Jeffrey.Pyne@va.gov

 

Dr. Amy Amspoker
 

MIDAS Director
  Amber (Amy) Amspoker, PhD
  Amber.Amspoker@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Kelley Arredondo
 

SC MIRECC Assistant Director for Improving Clinical Care – Quality Improvement Training and Mentoring Programs
  Kelley Arredondo, PhD
  Kelley.Arredondo@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Joseph Boffa
 

SC MIRECC Assistant Director for Improving Clinical Care – Consumer Advocacy Board
  Joseph (Jay) Boffa, PhD
  Joseph.Boffa@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Derrecka Boykin
 

Assistant Director, Houston MIRECC fellowship
  Derrecka Boykin, PhD
  Derrecka.Boykin@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Jennifer Bryan
 

Assistant Director for Education
  Jennifer (Jenn) Bryan, PhD
  Jennifer.Bryan1@va.gov  

 

 

 
Dr. Brandon Griffin
 

Assistant Director for Research
  Brandon Griffin, PhD
  Brandon.Griffin2@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Corey Hayes
 

Co-Director of the Advanced Fellowship in Little Rock
  Corey Hayes, PharmD, PhD, MPH
  Corey.Hayes@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Mary Shapiro
 

SC MIRECC Assistant Director for Improving Clinical Care – Clinician Input Committee
  Mary Shapiro, PhD
  Mary.Shapiro1@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Rajinder (Sonia) Singh
 

Director of the Advanced Fellowship in Little Rock
  Rajinder (Sonia) Singh, PhD
  Rajinder.Singh2@va.gov  

 

 

Dr. Lilian Dindo

Houston Site Leader
Lilian Dindo, PhD
Lilian.Dindo@va.gov | Lilian.Dindo@bcm.edu

 

Dr. Jeff Pyne

Little Rock Site Leader
Jeffrey (Jeff) Pyne, MD
Jeffrey.Pyne@va.gov

 

Dr. Laurel Harlin

New Orleans Site Leader
C. Laurel Harlin, PhD
Laurel.Harlin@va.gov

 

Dr. Amanda Raines

New Orleans Site Leader
Amanda Raines, PhD
Amanda.Raines@va.gov