Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
Detailed Information
Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
Detailed Information
The forensic psychiatric fellowship offered by Western
Psychiatric Institute and Clinic/University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center (WPIC/UPMC) is a one year
PGY-5 program to prepare psychiatrists for a career in
forensic psychiatry. While the program offers a strong
didactic curriculum including the opportunity to
participate in a course in criminal law at the
University of Pittsburgh Law School, the depth and range
of the clinical experiences is its major strength. The
opportunities for civil and hospital based cases offered
by UPMC and the university law clinics, as well as the
full range of criminal cases provided by the criminal
court of Allegheny County, combine to provide a rich and
varied experience for the fellow.
Didactic Program
The didactic material is presented in a yearlong seminar
designed to cover a core curriculum which includes
topics relevant to the practice of forensic psychiatry
and for preparation of the examination for Additional
Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry. A special seminar
on the landmark cases is offered. Additionally, journal
club and grand rounds are required. Mock trial
experience is available.
Clinical Experiences
Torrance State Hospital Forensic Unit
Torrance State Hospital houses a 70-bed forensic unit.
It is one of only three such units in the state of
Pennsylvania, which assures a varied spectrum of
clinical cases. The patient population consists of both
male and female defendants who, for the most part, have
not yet been adjudicated or sentenced. The fellows are
involved in assessing competency, dangerousness, and the
right to refuse treatment as well as the supervision and
treatment of the mentally ill offender and making
presentencing recommendations. Report writing is an
integral part of the rotation. Fellows participate in
treatment team meetings, and case conferences including
predischarge conferences.
Allegheny County Behavior Assessment Unit
The Behavior Assessment Unit is a court appointed
diagnostic clinic whose objective is to assist the
judges and officers of the Criminal Court of Allegheny
County. As the second oldest diagnostic court clinic in
the country, the Behavior Assessment Unit enjoys a long
history and an excellent reputation. This provides a
depth and range of experience not often available to
trainees. Fellows are actively involved in assessment
for competency to stand trial, insanity defense,
diminished capacity, and mitigating factors. These
issues include evaluation for malingering. Experience in
decertification evaluations, probation recommendations,
and parole evaluations is also provided. Proficiency at
the review of legal documents and report writing is
developed. Testimony in court is an integral part of the
rotation.
Forensic Outpatient Treatment
Essex House and SAFE clinic are the two sites which may
be selected to fulfill the experience requirement in
intensive outpatient treatment for mentally ill
offenders. The objective of the rotation consists of
experience at intensive case management, development of
treatment plans, assessment of dangerousness, and
treatment of substance abuse, and dual diagnosis Since
the patient population of both of these sites consists
of a significant number of sexual offenders, the fellow
will have the opportunity to develop experience in the
assessment and treatment of sexual l offenders. The
trainees are expected to follow two cases in an
intensive outpatient for at least six months. In
general, the fellows are expected to gain an
appreciation of the problems of chronically mentally ill
offenders.
Juvenile Court of Allegheny County – Shuman Center
The rotation at Shuman Center provides fellows with
experience in assessment of juvenile offenders. Report
writing is required. Opportunity for involvement in the
treatment of juvenile sexual offenders is also
available.
Family Court of Allegheny County
The objective of the family court rotation is to provide
the fellows with experience in the assessment of child
abuse and evaluation for the termination of parental
rights as well as child custody evaluations.
Additionally, the fellows will gain a familiarity with
the policies and procedures of Children and Youth Family
Services. Report writing is an integral part of the
rotation.
Liaison/Geriatric Service
This rotation allows the fellow through consultation
request, to develop skills in evaluating medical
competency, informed consent, the right to refuse
treatment, and ECT competency. Risk assessment for
dangerousness in maintaining a patient on the medical
service versus the psychiatric service is also
developed.
Civil Forensic Issues
Civil cases are referred from many sources which assure
the fellows of a rich and varied experience including
assessment for psychic damage, disability
determinations, diagnosis of PTSD, detection of
malingering, evaluation for workman’s compensation,
evaluation for fitness for duty, and malpractice. Cases
involving guardianship of the estate and person and
testamentary capacity are included. The fellows develop
proficiency in the review of legal documents and medical
records, as well as clear and accurate report writing.
Testimony in court is involved when indicated.
Correctional Psychiatry
The fellows will be involved in the treatment of the
mentally inmate at one of two sites: the Allegheny
County Jail and the State Correctional Institution at
Pittsburgh thus providing the varied experience of
treating inmates during a short term incarceration
awaiting trial or sentencing and of treating inmates in
a long term penal institution.
Research
The fellows are expected to be active participants in
the teaching programs for the psychiatric residents and
medical students, and paraprofessionals. Research is
available either through an original project or through
participation in ongoing studies,
Electives
Electives are available in the treatment and assessment
of sexual offenders and at Summit Academy. Further
opportunities exist in criminal courts in outlying
counties.
Time Distribution
 Torrance
State Hospital Forensic Unit
10-14 hours per week, 6 months,
Allegheny
County Behavior Assessment Unit
10-12 hours per week plus 1.5 hours per month staffing,
6 months
Supervision: 1 hour per week
Forensic
Outpatient Treatment
4 hours per week, 12 months
2 cases to be followed for 6 months or more
Supervision: 1 hour per week
Correctional
Psychiatry
10-12
hours per week for 1 year
Supervision:
I hour per week
Juvenile
Court
4 hours per week, 3 months
Supervision: 1 hour per week
Family
Court
2 to 4 hours per week, 3 months
Supervision: 2 hours per month
Liaison/Geriatric
Service
2 hours per week, 12 months
Supervision: 2 hours per month
Civil
Forensic Issues
4 to 8 hours per week, 12 months
Supervision: 1 to 2 hours per week
Faculty
Stephen Zerby MD
Program Director of Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship UPMC/WPIC
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Christine A. Martone, M.D.
Program Co-Director of Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
UPMC/WPIC
Director of Allegheny County Behavior Clinic
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Stipend
$53,227.20
per annum, (PGY5), plus full
health coverage
Fringe benefits include fees for the annual meeting of
the AAPL and enrollment for the Forensic Board Review
Course.
Accreditation
Accredited by the ACGME for 5 years from April 2009.
Qualifications
Applicants must have completed a four-year residency in
adult or child psychiatry. Applicants must be ABPN board
eligible and have passed USMLE STEP III. They should
also be eligible to obtain a medical license in the
state of Pennsylvania.
Application Process
Applications
should be submitted
by February 15 2010 accompanied by a CV and three
letters of recommendation including one from the
chairman of the department of psychiatry where a
residency was completed. Inquiries and applications
should be directed to:
Stephen Zerby, M.D.
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2593
Phone: (412) 802-8618
FAX: (412) 647-9339
Email: zerbysa@upmc.edu
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