The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) was recently awarded specialty accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation for its Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Program. The MEDVAMC Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship is one of only 18 APA specialty, accredited Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowships.
Founded more than 100 years ago, the APA is a scientific and professional organization with more than 150,000 members, making it the largest association of psychologists worldwide. Its stated mission is to "advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare."
Accreditation by the APA is a process that assures the educational community and the general public that an institution has clearly defined and appropriate objectives and maintains conditions under which their achievement can reasonably be expected. It encourages improvement through continuous self-study and review. It fosters excellence in postsecondary education through the development of principles and guidelines for assessing educational effectiveness.
"Accreditation by the American Psychological Association shows that the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center demonstrates outcomes for its educational process that are consistent with its goals and objectives," said Thomas Kent, M.D., Neurology Care Line Executive. "In other words, there is 'truth in advertising.'"
The Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Program at the MEDVAMC is a rigorous two-year fellowship program which prepares fellows for specialty practice in clinical neuropsychology and subsequent board certification. Under the supervision of Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Director Robert L. Collins, Ph.D., ABPP; Neuropsychologist Nicholas Pastorek, Ph.D., ABPP; Neuropsychologist Jane Booth, Ph.D., ABPP; Neuropsychologist Brian Miller, Ph.D.; Neuropsychologist Andrea Cohen, Ph.D.; and Neuropsychologist Michele York, Ph.D., neuropsychology fellows are involved in direct Veteran care occurring across the Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Mental Health Care Lines. In addition to these clinical services, neuropsychology fellows are expected to engage in interdisciplinary research activities.
"Over the past four years, we have had four fellows publish 17 peer reviewed articles and countless conference presentations in collaboration with neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other medical staff working at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center," said Collins who is also an assistant professor of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine. "In many ways, the level of support from senior management and Care Line executives like Dr. Thomas Kent, Dr. Helene Henson, and Dr. Laura Marsh is unmatched by other programs — and allows us to bring in top tier recruits."
"Following Dr. DeBakey's life-long pursuit of excellence and commitment to education in order to make a worldwide impact on health care and improving lives, I am very proud the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center has received such important recognition," said Bryan T. Bayley, M.H.A., F.A.C.H.E., acting MEDVAMC director. "We are very fortunate to have staff members like Dr. Robert Collins and Dr. Thomas Kent whose level of passion and expertise advances medical care for our Nation's heroes."
Original source: www.houston.va.gov/pressreleases/News_20120517.asp