Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Columbia - Director's Welcome
We appreciate your interest in the forensic psychiatry fellowship training program of Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia.
We are proud of our program and are committed to ensuring that it remains in the forefront of the ever-changing fields of psychiatric medicine and the law.
While still in its infancy, forensic psychiatry is truly a dynamic discipline. Mental health case law continues to rapidly evolve even as the legal regulation of psychiatric practice adapts to new technologies and understanding.
In addition, the chronically mentally ill are ending up in correctional facilities at an alarming rate, leading to increased interaction between these patients and the legal system. Recent changes in disability law, family law, psychiatric malpractice and other civil legal issues will also have an impact on psychiatric patients and the practice of psychiatric medicine.
Our fellowship program offers tremendous opportunities for academic and professional growth. As one of the first accredited forensic psychiatry training programs in the United States, we have achieved a reputation as a medium-sized, high-quality program which permits individual growth and opportunities for further professional advancement.
Our graduates have done well in a variety of settings. Many have chosen academic careers while others have become public sector forensic directors or private practice clinicians. Our goal is to produce practitioners who are both knowledgeable and confident in all areas of forensic psychiatry, including both criminal and civil forensic practice, as well as research.
The forensic psychiatry residency provides a strong overall clinical and didactic curriculum with opportunities for evaluations and treatment of a demographically diverse patient population.
The particular strengths of our program include:
- Opportunity for fellows to conduct criminal forensic evaluations of high profile cases and receive supervised provision of expert testimony in courtrooms throughout the state of South Carolina.
- An opportunity to work with a seasoned forensic clinician in civil litigation.
- Opportunities to engage in scholarly projects leading to peer reviewed publication.
At the core of our educational program is the personal attention provided to every resident. We believe you will find our program exciting and challenging. We thank you for your interest and look forward to meeting you personally when you visit Columbia.
Sincerely,
Meera Narasimhan, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science
University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Richard L. Frierson, MD, DFAPA
Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
Professor and Vice Chair for Education
Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science
University of South Carolina School of Medicine