Geisinger Investigator Elected To 'APA Fellow' Status In The American Psychological Association

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 22 Sep 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The American Psychological Association (APA) recently elected Joseph Boscarino, PhD, MPH, a chronic disease epidemiologist and senior investigator for the Geisinger Center for Health Research, to "APA Fellow" status.

This prestigious designation recognizes Dr. Boscarino's three decades of work investigating the impact of psychological trauma among war veterans and civilian populations (commonly referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD) from the Vietnam War to the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dr. Boscarino has been a member of the APA since 1978.

Currently, Dr. Boscarino and his research team are studying 2,400 New York City residents who witnessed the Sept. 11 terror attacks and nearly 1,000 Geisinger patients who have been exposed to psychological trauma. The goal of this research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is to better identify patients who are at risk for PTSD and ways to prevent it. The team also is studying the genetics of PTSD and identifying more effective treatments.

In May 2008, with Dr. Boscarino's lead, Geisinger hosted the first regional "Combat Stress Injuries/Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD): Care of Rural Veterans and Their Families" at the Geisinger Center for Health Research. This conference was well attended and has resulted in a follow-up program to educate primary care physicians on recognizing and treating PTSD, not only for those directly affected by the trauma, but also the effects that trauma has on spouses and families.

"This [award] represents the highest achievement possible by a member of the American Psychological Association…an honor bestowed on members who have demonstrated unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology," said conference keynote speaker Charles Figley, PhD, distinguished chair in Disaster Mental Health at Tulane University and editor of Traumatology.

About Geisinger Health System

Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation's largest integrated health services organizations. Serving more than 2.6 million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, an 800-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Source: Geisinger Health System