Office of Academic Affiliations
VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment
Program Overview
The Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment program provides two years of research, education, and clinical learning opportunities to eligible physicians and associated health professionals at the doctoral (psychologists, pharmacists, nurses) and master’s level (social workers, chaplains). Fellows spend at least 75 percent of their time in research and education and up to 25 percent in clinical care at selected VA sites. Mentors of national stature provide guidance to fellows in one of seven rich learning environments (Boston, MA; Madison, WI; Dallas, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; West Haven, CT). Fellows are trained to be role models in leading, developing, conducting, and evaluating innovative research, education, and clinical care in health issues pertaining to Addiction Treatment.
The seven sites are linked by the Addiction Treatment Coordinating Center (ATCC) which is the education, coordination, and dissemination resource for fellows and directors, led by Co-Directors Dr. Adam Gordon (adam.gordon@va.gov) and Dr. Karin Daniels (karin.daniels@va.gov). To reach the Coordinating Center, please contact Andrea Confer at andrea.confer@va.gov or 412-360-3211.
VA Advanced Fellowships in Addiction Treatment Site List
VA Boston Healthcare System (Boston, MA)
| Co-Director: Deborah Brief, PhD | Telephone: 857-364-4689 |
| Co-Director: John Renner, MD | Telephone: 617-248-1022 |
| Application materials should be submitted to bostonaddictionfellowship@va.gov | |
Academic Affiliates:
Boston University School of Medicine Website
Harvard Medical School Website
- Treatment of PTSD and substance use disorder co-morbidity
- Web and Mobile application development for SUD and PTSD
- Implementation and dissemination of web and mobile technologies in clinical settings
- Minority stress, trauma, and substance use disparities among LGBTQ individuals
- Best practices and treatment development for LGBTQ veterans with trauma and addictions
- Medications for substance use disorder treatment
- Neurobiological and cellular mechanisms of addiction
VA North Texas HealthCare System (Dallas, TX)
| Co-Director: Jamylah Jackson, PhD, ABPP | Telephone: 214-857-3601 |
| Co-Director: Geetha Shivakumar, MD, MSCS | Telephone: 214-857-3602 |
Academic Affiliate: Dallas UT Southwestern Medical Center
Focal Areas- Clinical Translation Studies in Addiction
- Trauma and Substance Use
- Epidemiological Approaches using the VA National Database
- Psychoeducation for HCV and Alcohol Behaviors
- Homelessness in Veterans
- Suicide Assessment and Intervention
- Integrated Stepped Care of Patients with HIV and Alcohol Use Disorders
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Leadership training
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Madison, WI)
| Co-Director: Randall Brown | (Physician Applicants) |
| Co-Director: Jessica Cook | (Psychology Applicants) |
| Co-Director: Ashley Snyder | (Social Work Applicants) |
Academic Affiliates:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
UW Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program
- Addiction health services research
- Technological applications in treatment
- Pharmacotherapy
- Behavioral health integration into general medical settings
- Treatment engagement and retention
- Quality improvement
- Development of effective tobacco dependence treatments
Disciplines Accepted: Medicine, Psychology, Social Work, Conditions co-occurring with smoking (e.g., psychiatric disorders, substance use, chronic pain)
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (Pittsburgh, PA)
Site information is being updated. Details to come soon. South Texas Veterans Health Care System (San Antonio, TX)
| Director: Rajendra Badgaiyan, MD | Telephone: 210-612-6586 |
Academic Affiliates:
University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
Focal Areas
- Alcohol and opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy
- Interdisciplinary research and clinical training
- Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in primary care settings
- VHA quality improvement program training (practice facilitation), implementation, and analysis with emphasis on alcohol use disorder prevention and management
- Co-morbid disorders
- Chronic pain and substance use disorder
- Polytrauma clinical triad (PCT) - TBI, PTSD, pain
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder
VA San Diego Healthcare System (San Diego, CA)
| Co-Director: Tamara Wall, PhD | (psychologist position inquiries) | Telephone: 858-552-8585 x2485 |
| Co-Director: Scott Matthews, MD | (psychologist position inquiries) | Telephone: 619-497-8454 |
Psychology application materials should be submitted via the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC)
Psychology Postdoctoral Application (APPA CAS) website: https://appicpostdoc.liaisoncas.com/
Physician application materials should be submitted by email to: vafellowship@ucsd.edu
Academic Affiliate:
University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry
Focal Areas
- Comorbidity and treatment outcome research
- Tobacco-related research
- Brain imaging and neuropsychological sequelae
- Etiology and genetics of substance use disorders
VA Connecticut Healthcare System (West Haven, CT)
| Co-Director: Dave Pilkey, PhD | (psychology position inquiries) | Telephone: 203-479-8059 |
| Co-Director: Ellen Edens, MD | (physician, chaplains, or other discipline position inquiries) | Telephone: 203-985-9569 |
| Co-Director: Steve Martino, PhD | Telephone: 203-932-5711 x2468 | |
| Co-Director: Ismene Petrakis, MD | Telephone: 203-932-5711 x2244 |
Academic Affiliate:
Yale School of Medicine – Department of Psychiatry
Focal Areas
- Behavioral pharmacology and medications development
- Psychotherapy treatment development
- Randomized clinical trials
- Conditions co-occurring with addiction (chronic pain, PTSD, serious mental illness)
- Health services
- Implementation science
Eligibility
Applicants will be eligible to participate provided they have completed all requirements needed to be a fully credentialed independent practitioner in their field at a VA facility, with the exception of certain associated health disciplines that require fellowship training prior to licensure. Please see a complete list of eligibility requirements on page 4 of the Education of Advanced Fellows Handbook (https://www.va.gov/OAA/Advanced_Fellowships/Home.asp).Application Process
Application materials should be submitted electronically, directly to the applicant’s site of interest and include a cover letter, CV, and three letters of reference. The cover letter should describe the individual's interest in the program, educational, clinical, and research experience relevant to application, and career goals.
