MIRECC / CoE

Advisory Board Purpose and Function

The CoE’s Advisory Board is comprised of representatives knowledgeable about suicide prevention, mental health research, education and dissemination and the public health approach to increasing wellness.  Members come from both within VA (local Medical Centers, other research centers, VISN leadership, and VA’ s scientific community) and outside VA (affiliated academic institutions, Veteran community organizations,  and the national suicide and research communities).

The Advisory Board ensures that affiliates and professional groups have an active voice in setting direction for the CoE.  The Advisory Board meets regularly to assess and advise the CoE leadership on matters of policy development and to review the effectiveness of the CoE in meeting its objectives. As well, the Board assesses and advises leadership on general programmatic directions within each component of the CoE.

Advisory Board Membership

Robert Babcock, PhD, Medical Director, Canandaigua, VAMC

Robert Bossarte, PhD, Director, Epidemiology Program, VACO

Lisa Brenner, PhD, Director, VISN 19 MIRECC

Eric Caine, MD, Chair, Psychiatry, URMC

David Carroll, PhD, National MH Director – Program Integration, VACO

Steve Dobscha, MD, Chief of Staff, COS Mental Health Neurosciences Division

Keita Franklin, PhD, Director, Defense Suicide Prevention Office

Rani Hoff, PhD, Director, NEPEC

Dan Kivlahan, PhD, National Program Director – Addictive Disorders, VACO

Harold Kudler, MD, Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services, VACO

Stephen Maisto, PhD, Director, CIH

John McCarthy, PhD, Director, SMITREC

Bruce Nelson, PhD, Behavioral Health Careline Director, VISN 2

Caitlin Thompson, PhD, Deputy Director for Suicide Prevention, VACO

Wendy Tenhula, PhD, Acting National MH Director – Program Integration, VACO