Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center Hub

Contact Information: 
Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)
VA Palo Alto
3801 Miranda Ave (151Y)
Palo Alto, CA 94304

Director of Psychology Training:
Kaci Fairchild, PhD, Fellowship Director
650-493-5000 X 63432
JenniferKaci.Fairchild@va.gov

Geropsychology Supervisor(s):

Website Address:
http://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn21/fellowship.asp

Membership / Certification:
_X_ APA Accredited
_X_ APPIC Member

Geropsychology Training Opportunities / Settings:
_X_ Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
_X_ Neuropsychology / Memory Clinic
_X_ Community Living Center
_X_ Home Based Health Care
_X_ Primary Care
_X_ Inpatient Geropsychiatry/Mental Health
_X_ Physical / Cognitive Rehabilitation
_X_ Caregiver Support Services
___ Hospice / Palliative Care
___ Telehealth / Telemedicine
_X_ Training in Supervision of Interns / Practicum Students
___ Other:_________________________

Format of Geropsychology Training:
___ Specialty Track in Geropsychology
___ Major Rotation
___ Minor Rotation
___ Opportunities to work with older adults included in other rotations

Faculty Clinical/Research Interests:
The mission of the Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (SP-MIRECC) is to build an integrated system of clinical, research, and educational efforts designed to improve the clinical care for veterans with dementias and with PTSD both in VISN 21 and system-wide. Dementia and PTSD share common clinical symptoms including cognitive difficulties, sleep disorders, and agitation and the SP-MIRECC aims to evaluate current approaches and develop new treatments for these clinical problems. In support of this mission, the SP-MIRECC Fellowship provides specialized training in two emphasis areas: Aging/Dementia and PTSD.  Fellows devote the majority of their time to patient oriented research and education activities and 25% to direct patient clinical care. In collaboration with their mentors, Fellows will develop and implement a research project, publish and present findings, participate in grant writing, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery. Complete program descriptions, MIRECC Faculty Mentors and areas of research, contact information and application forms for our 2-year fellowship can be found at our website (http://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn21/fellowship.asp).