Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
Director: Peter Ash, M.D.
Address:
Psychiatry - Room 325
49 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr., S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 727-3244
Fax: (404) 727-3155
E-mail: peter.ash@emory.edu
Level: PGY-5 and above
Positions: 2
Annual Stipend: $57,000 (2011-2012)
Accreditation: ACGME
The Emory forensic fellowship began in 1993. The Psychiatry and Law Service is in large part supported by a grant from the State of Georgia, and, in consequence, is closely involved with various state departments which deal with forensic and mental health patients. This blend of state government interest and private university academic orientation has produced a growing program which emphasizes forensic teaching, public policy development, research, and, for child psychiatrists, a variety of child forensic experiences. In keeping with this orientation, the program strives to provide flexibility in experiences depending on a fellow's interests. The training program was accredited in forensic psychiatry by the ACGME in 1997 when the ACGME began accrediting forensic training programs, and has continued to be accredited since that time.
Didactic experiences
The Director conducts a weekly case-oriented seminar and a weekly seminar on the non-criminal AAPL Landmark Cases. There are additional seminars at other sites on Landmark and important Georgia criminal cases. Considerable individual supervision is provided. Fellows may audit one course each term at the Emory University School of Law. The teaching conferences, grand rounds, etc., of the Emory psychiatry department are open to fellows. The Service pays travel and tuition expenses to the Forensic Psychiatry Review Course, which is given in conjunction with the annual meeting of AAPL, and pays expenses to the AAPL meeting.Public policy development
The program has a close connection with state agencies that deal with forensic populations and mental health needs. Georgia is now rethinking many previous policies and developing new responses to a wide array of forensic issues. There are opportunities to participate at a state government level on policy development and in research projects aimed at informing public policy decision-making.
Research
The Emory fellowship is academically oriented, and the program strives to create new knowledge in forensic psychiatry. Fellows are encouraged in to participate in ongoing research projects or to develop their own. Fellows are required to submit proposals to present at the annual AAPL meeting, and extensive supervision is provided to enable them to do so.
Being a teacher
Fellows participate in training other professionals and in helping train psychiatry and child psychiatry residents who rotate through the program. Finally, fellows are responsible for running some seminars on forensic psychiatry for general psychiatry residents.
Staff
The staff currently consists of one full-time forensic psychiatrist at Grady and seven additional forensic psychiatrists who supervise at the other site placements (inpatient forensic, sex offender treatment clinic, etc.), and a number of forensic psychiatrists in private practice. The Director is Board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry. Additional staff includes several psychologists, a social worker, and consulting attorneys.
Salary and fringe benefits
The anticipated annual PGY5 salary for 2011-12 is $57,000. Fellows receive the standard benefit package associated with being a house officer at Emory. In addition, benefits include travel support to the annual AAPL meeting and various regional meetings and the expenses of taking the annual review course in forensic psychiatry given in conjunction with the annual AAPL meeting.