VA San Diego Healthcare System
Through a combination of interprofessional training opportunities, our goal is to prepare clinical/counseling psychology fellows and physician fellows for careers as independent addictions treatment providers, researchers, and leaders in the VA and/or an academic setting.
Program Description
The VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) is one of seven sites selected for a VA-funded Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment. Our two-year advanced fellowship is recruiting clinical/counseling psychologists and physicians. Advanced Fellows must demonstrate an interest in pursuing VA and/or academic careers with addiction treatment as a significant focus. Fellows will spend at least 75% of their time in educational experiences and clinical research in addiction treatment. No more than 25% of fellow effort shall be for non-educational clinical service.
Research and Clinical Opportunities in Addiction
Training consists of didactic coursework and seminars aimed at providing requisite skills for developing into an independent researcher. A central component of the program is an independent research project with extensive mentoring by senior faculty members. The program is enhanced by opportunities for other course work, patient care, and teaching based on training goals.
Research mentors hold appointments at VASDHS and/or the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego). These include Drs. Neal Doran and Scott Matthews (Co-Directors), Abigail Angkaw, Robert Anthenelli, Sandra Brown, Joseph Carley, Eric Granholm, Igor Grant, Moira Haller, Joanna Jacobus, Nick Mellos, Mark Myers, Sonya Norman, Marc Schuckit, Andrea Spadoni, Susan Tapert, Ryan Trim, and Tammy Wall. Faculty research interests include comorbidity and treatment outcome research, tobacco-related research, brain imaging and neuropsychological sequelae, etiology and genetics of substance use disorders. Please see the UC San Diego, Department of Psychiatry website for research interests of individual faculty mentors as well as additional information about our affiliate.
FOCAL AREAS
- The VASDHS and UCSD Department of Psychiatry has many psychologists and psychiatrists who are recognized for their scientific contributions in the areas of alcohol and substance use disorders.
- Faculty research interests focus on comorbidity and treatment outcome research, tobacco-related research, brain imaging and neuropsychological sequelae, etiology and genetics of substance use disorders.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Please submit a letter of interest (maximum 2 pages), CV, and 3 letters of recommendation. The letter of interest should include: a brief summary of educational, clinical and research experiences relevant to addictions and a statement of career goals, including research mentor(s) with whom you might be interested in working.
- For psychologist applicants, materials should be submitted via the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Psychology Postdoctoral Application. (APPA CAS) website: appicpostdoc.liaisoncas.com.
- For physician applicants, materials should be submitted by email to vafellowship@ucsd.edu. Please contact Dr. Neal Doran with questions about the psychologist position or Dr. Scott Matthews with questions about the physician position.
PHYSICIAN FELLOWS
- Completion of an ACGME accredited residency program.
- A full and unrestricted license to practice in the U.S. or any of its territories.
- Be board certified or eligible with demonstration of active pursuit of board certification.
- U.S. citizenship
- If a graduate of a foreign medical school, must have evidence of ECFMG certification.
PSYCHOLOGY FELLOWS
- Completion of an APA-accredited doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology and an APA-accredited clinical psychology internship by September 1, 2020.
- U.S. citizenship.
Neal Doran, PhD
Neal Doran received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed internship and postdoctoral fellowship at VA San Diego and the University of California San Diego. Currently he is Chief of the Psychology Service at VA San Diego and Professor in Residence, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego. Dr. Doran is the Co-Director of the Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment at VA San Diego, and a member of the behavioral medicine faculty in the University of California San Diego / San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. His program of research focuses primarily on the early stages of tobacco use, including use of non-cigarette products and predictors of tobacco initiation and progression. During his time at VA San Diego he has also developed a secondary research interest in predictors of and interventions for suicide risk among Veterans. Dr. Doran is a licensed psychologist in California.
- (858) 552-8585 ext 2421
- neal.doran@va.gov
Scott Matthews, MD
Scott C. Matthews, M.D. completed internship and residency in psychiatry at University of California San Diego (UCSD), and fellowship in UCSD's Fellowship in Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience. Dr. Matthews is currently Co-Director of the Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment and Medical Director of the Dual Diagnosis Recovery Program at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). Dr. Matthews is an active clinician and teacher who is an investigator on several federally funded clinical and brain imaging research studies.
- (858) 642-3570
- Scott.Matthews@va.gov
ABOUT SAN DIEGO
San Diego enjoys a reputation for a highly desirable climate. The nearby ocean, mountains and deserts allow an unusually wide variety of year-round outdoor activities. Major attractions include the San Diego Zoo, theater, music concerts, professional sports teams, and a rich art scene.