Last updated: October 9, 2018

POSTDOCTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY VA Maine Healthcare System 15 Challenger Dr. (116B) Lewiston, ME 04240 Ph: 207-623-8411

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPLICATION DUE DATE ........................................................................................................................................ 3

NUMBER OF POSITIONS OFFERED ........................................................................................................................ 3

ACCREDITATION STATUS ....................................................................................................................................... 3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................................. 3

RESIDENCY ADMISSIONS, SUPPORT, AND INITIAL PLACEMENT DATA ..................................................... 3

Postdoctoral Program Admissions ............................................................................................................................ 3

Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year .......................................................................... 5

Initial Post-Residency Positions ............................................................................................................................... 6

APPLICATION PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................................. 7

FELLOWSHIP SETTING ............................................................................................................................................. 7

Patient population and characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 8

Training community and socialization ...................................................................................................................... 8

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................................................ 8

Administrative Policies and Procedures ................................................................................................................... 9

Conflict Resolution Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 9

FACILITY AND TRAINING RESOURCES ............................................................................................................. 12

TRAINING MODEL AND PROGRAM .................................................................................................................... 13

Clinical Training ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

Individual and group supervision ............................................................................................................................ 14

Seminars and didactics ............................................................................................................................................ 14

The Rotating seminar .......................................................................................................................................... 15

The Neuropsychology Seminar ........................................................................................................................... 15

The brain cutting experience .............................................................................................................................. 15

The Interdisciplinary Professional Education (IPE) seminar ................................................................................ 15

Research and program development ....................................................................................................................... 15

Supervision and teaching opportunities .................................................................................................................. 16

PROGRAM AIMS AND COMPETENCIES .............................................................................................................. 16

ROTATION REQUIREMENTS AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ............................................................ 18

Rotation Completion Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 18

Competency Rating Levels .................................................................................................................................. 18

Competency Expectations .................................................................................................................................. 18

Graduation Requirements ....................................................................................................................................... 19

TRAINING STAFF ..................................................................................................................................................... 19

CURRENT AND PAST RESIDENTS ........................................................................................................................ 21

LIVING IN MAINE .................................................................................................................................................... 21

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APPLICATION DUE DATE: January 7, 2019 (4pm Eastern) NUMBER OF POSITIONS OFFERED: 1

ACCREDITATION STATUS

The program has specialty accreditation in clinical neuropsychology through the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association. It is currently accredited on contingency because it is a new program. For questions related to VA Maine’s accreditation status, please contact CoA using the information below: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship at VA Maine is a fulltime, two-year, adult clinical neuropsychology training program that is a member of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). Using the Taxonomy for Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology, our postdoctoral fellowship offers a “Major Area of Study” in clinical neuropsychology, to include relevant didactics, clinical experiences, and research activities. While the program is uniquely positioned to prepare residents for a clinical neuropsychology career within VA and/or rural settings, the training program offers very generalizable training in adult clinical neuropsychology that prepares its residents for a broad range of independent practice settings. As VA Maine is an APPCN-member program, it participates in the matching program for clinical

neuropsychology postdoctoral residencies as administered by National Matching Services (NMS). We

adhere to all policies regarding the matching program. For more information on the matching program,

see the websites for APPCN (www.appcn.org) and National Matching Services

(www.natmatch.com/appcnmat).

We encourage applicants to attend the annual North American Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society (INS). We will interview applicants at INS who have successfully completed their application materials and met our eligibility requirements. See the INS website (www.the-ins.org) for more information on the meeting. For those unable to attend INS, we usually arrange a telephone or on-site interview prior to the NMS deadline for submission of rank-order lists.

RESIDENCY ADMISSIONS, SUPPORT, AND INITIAL PLACEMENT DATA

CoA requires accredited programs to provide this information in the standardized tables below

Postdoctoral Program Admissions

Date Program Tables are updated: 9/5/2018

Briefly describe in narrative form important information to assist potential applicants in assessing their likely fit with your program. This description must be consistent with the program’s policies on intern selection and practicum and academic preparation requirements:

1) Have received a doctorate from an APA or CPA accredited graduate program in Clinical,

Counseling, or Combined Psychology or PCSAS accredited Clinical Science program. Persons with

a doctorate in another area of psychology who meet the APA or CPA criteria for respecialization

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training in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined Psychology are eligible.

2) Have completed an internship program accredited by APA or CPA or have completed a VA-

sponsored internship.

3) Must be U.S. citizens. 4) All VA appointees must have a U.S. social security number (SSN) prior to beginning the on-boarding

process at the VA. 5) Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the Selective Service by age 26 to

be eligible for U.S. government employment, including selection as a paid or WOC VA trainee. For additional information about the Selective Service System, and to register or to check your registration status visit https://www.sss.gov/. Anyone who was required to register but did not register before the age of 26 will need to apply for a Status Information Letter (SIL) and request a waiver. Waivers are rare and requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the VA Office of Human Resources Management. This process can take up to six months for a verdict.

6) All HPTs will be fingerprinted and undergo screenings and background investigations. Additional details about the required background checks can be found at the following website: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/10450.html.

7) Per Executive Order 12564, the VA strives to be a Drug-Free Workplace. HPTs are not drug-tested prior to appointment, however are subject to random drug testing throughout the entire VA appointment period.

8) TQCVL. To streamline on-boarding of HPTs, VHA Office of Academic Affiliations requires completion of a Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification Letter (TQCVL). An Educational Official at the Affiliate must complete and sign this letter. For post-graduate programs where an affiliate is not the program sponsor, this process must be completed by the VA Training Director. Your VA appointment cannot happen until the TQCVL is submitted and signed by senior leadership from the VA facility. For more information about this document, please visit https://www.va.gov/OAA/TQCVL.asp

a. Health Requirements. Among other things, the TQCVL confirms that you, the trainee, are fit to perform the essential functions (physical and mental) of the training program and immunized following current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and VHA policy. This protects you, other employees and patients while working in a healthcare facility. Required are annual tuberculosis screening, Hepatitis B vaccine as well as annual influenza vaccine. Declinations are EXTREMELY rare. If you decline the flu vaccine you will be required to wear a mask while in patient care areas of the VA.

b. Primary source verification of all prior education and training is certified via the TQCVL. Training and Program Directors will be contacting the appropriate institutions to ensure you have the appropriate qualifications and credentials as required by the admission criteria of the training program in which you are enrolled.

9) Additional pre-employment forms include the Application for Health Professions Trainees (VA 10-2850D) and the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF 306). These documents and others are available online for review at https://www.va.gov/oaa/app-forms.asp. Falsifying any answer on these required Federal documents will result in the inability to appoint or immediate dismissal from the training program.

10) VA on-boarding requires presentation of two source documents (IDs). Documents must be unexpired and names on both documents must match. For more information visit: https://www.oit.va.gov/programs/piv/_media/docs/IDMatrix.pdf

In addition to the general VA requirements above, the training program also seeks goodness-of-fit as demonstrated by: 11) Clinical neuropsychology being the applicant’s major area of study during doctoral and

internship training, or at least an emphasis of prior training in addition to other significant

experiences in clinical neuropsychology.

12) Strong interest in becoming a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist.

13) Career goals that involve working within VA or rural healthcare settings

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Describe any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants:

We want applicants from diverse backgrounds to know that our selection process makes all reasonable

efforts to attract, interview, and eventually match with residents from diverse backgrounds. VA Maine

maintains an active Multicultural and Diversity Committee (made up of psychology trainees and staff),

and this committee helps inform our candidate recruitment and selection practices. Further, the training

program adheres to all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and federal policies regarding non-

discriminatory hiring and retention procedures. We encourage applicants with individual and culturally

diverse backgrounds to share that information with us in their cover letter so that we may take that

information into account during our application review process.

Financial and Other Benefit Support for Upcoming Training Year*

Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Residents Year 1 = $46,102 Year 2 = $48,594

Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Residents N/A

Program provides access to medical insurance for resident? Yes

If access to medical insurance is provided:

Trainee contribution to cost required? Yes Coverage of family member(s) available? Yes Coverage of legally married partner available? Yes Coverage of domestic partner available?

No

Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation)

Accrues at a rate of 4 hours every two weeks, amounting to 13 vacation days

Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave

Accrues at a rate of 4 hours every two weeks, amounting to 13 sick leave days

In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave? Yes

Other Benefits (please describe): All Federal Holidays off; trainees may be given authorized absence without charge under certain education and training circumstances (VA Handbook 5011, Part III, Chapter 2, Section 12); When providing professional services at a VA healthcare facility, VA sponsored trainees acting within the scope of their educational programs are protected from personal liability under the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act 28, U.S.C.2679 (b)-(d)

*Note. Programs are not required by the Commission on Accreditation to provide all benefits listed in this table

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Initial Post-Residency Positions

(Provide an Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts)

2015-2018

Total # of residents who were in the cohorts Two (one in 2015-2017 and one in 2016-2018)

Total # of residents who remain in training in the residency program All previous cohorts graduated (2015-2017 and 2016-2018); the program has three postdocs currently in the program (one resident in the 2017-2019 cohort & two residents in the 2018-2020 cohort)

PD EP

Community mental health center 0 0

Federally qualified health center 0 0

Independent primary care facility/clinic 0 0

University counseling center 0 0

Veterans Affairs medical center 0 1

Military health center 0 0

Academic health center 0 0

Other medical center or hospital 0 0

Psychiatric hospital 0 0

Academic university/department 0 0

Community college or other teaching setting 0 0

Independent research institution 0 0

Correctional facility 0 0

School district/system 0 0

Independent practice setting 0 1

Not currently employed 0 0

Changed to another field 0 0

Other 0 0

Unknown 0 0

Note: “PD” = Post-doctoral residency position; “EP” = Employed Position. Each individual represented in this table should be counted only one time. For former trainees working in more than one setting, select the setting that represents their primary position.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applicants may apply through APPA CAS (using the VA Maine Postdoctoral Program site), or by directly sending all application materials to Josh Caron, Ph.D., ABPP-CN through email (joshua.caron@va.gov) If applying through APPA CAS, be advised the Neuropsychology Fellowship Program shares APPA CAS with the Clinical Psychology Fellowship Program at VA Maine. As such, it is important to specify which program you are applying to. Also, the application instructions in APPA CAS are for the Clinical Psychology Fellowship applicants and not the Neuropsychology Fellowship applicants. Neuropsychology Fellowship applicants only need to submit the six (6) application items listed below and not the full application in APPA CAS. A complete application requires the following six (6) items: 1) A one-page cover letter:

a) Highlight your fit with the clinical neuropsychology fellowship program, to include your career goals and any relevant clinical training and research experiences.

b) Describe your progress toward completing dissertation and internship, and provide anticipated completion dates.

c) If comfortable doing so, please share a little bit about your individual and/or cultural diversity background. This is important because additional consideration is given to prospective fellows who come from diverse backgrounds.

2) A Curriculum Vita. 3) Graduate school transcripts. Official transcripts are preferred and will be required for the hiring process after the match, but unaltered copies of school transcripts are acceptable for the application. 4) A Verification of Completion of Doctorate (to be completed by Dissertation Chair or Director of Clinical Training). The form may be downloaded from: http://appcn.sitewrench.com/assets/1748/doctorate_verification_form.pdf. 5) Three (3) letters of recommendation from current or former clinical supervisors, preferably from supervisors who are clinical neuropsychologists. If using email rather than APPA CAS, please have your supervisors email their letters of recommendation directly to joshua.caron@va.gov 6) Applicants currently on internship should include an additional letter from their Director of Internship Training verifying their standing in the internship program and the expected date of completion.

FELLOWSHIP SETTING

The VA Maine Healthcare System was established in 1866 as the first veterans' facility "Soldiers' Home" in the country. The Medical Center provides facilities for medical, surgical, psychiatric, and nursing home care, including 86 beds assigned to mental health and nursing home care. Ambulatory care clinics for medical, surgical, and psychiatric outpatient care supplement the inpatient programs at the main hospital. In addition to the main Medical Center (Togus), VA Maine HCS has 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). Neuropsychology residents primarily train, and spend most of their time, at the Lewiston CBOC; however other activities will require being present at the main hospital (Togus), which is located about 30-40 minutes away from Lewiston. Trainees are not expected to travel back-and-forth between Togus and Lewiston during the day, but rather the should expect to spend certain days at different locations. As such, prospective fellows may want to consider living in towns that are relatively equidistant to Lewiston and Togus. Both Togus and the Lewiston CBOC are located in central Maine on serene wooded grounds with streams and ponds. As mentioned above, the primary clinical training experience is at the Lewiston CBOC. This is because the facility is one of only three VA Centers for Rural Health in the Eastern Region, and serving rural veterans is a focus of our neuropsychology postdoctoral training. The main supervised clinical activity in Lewiston is outpatient neuropsychological assessment, which includes traditional face-to-face examinations and teleneuropsychology. VA Maine is somewhat unique in that it provides postdocs opportunities to deliver neuropsychological exams and cognitive skill-building groups through telehealth (clinical video technology). Teleneuropsychology allows us to provide neuropsychological services to the other CBOCs located in more remote and underserved areas of Maine. In addition to assessment, there are many other training experiences for residents. Residents co-lead outpatient groups focused on

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enhancing cognitive skills and efficiency. Opportunities for inpatient neuropsychological services are also available at the Togus Medical Center. Further, residents are offered opportunities to take some minor rotations in areas outside of adult neuropsychology. These include many of the postdoctoral rotations offered through VA Maine’s clinical psychology postdoctoral program, which is APA accredited. To see a listing of the training opportunities offered through that program, please see VA Maine HCS Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellowship brochure at www.maine.va.gov/psychtrain/. It should be noted, however, that these elective rotations are not guaranteed, and availability is at the discretion of the supervisor providing that rotation’s supervision. There is also an off-site (non-VA) opportunity to do a minor rotation in pediatric neuropsychology through our affiliation with Maine General Hospital in Waterville, ME. Other offsite training prospects may become available later because additional community-training opportunities are always being explored.

Patient population and characteristics

VA Maine postdocs gain competencies working with patients presenting with neurocognitive concerns; however, because of our patient demographics, fellows get experiences providing services to some unique populations. Obviously there will be the experience of providing services to a veteran population, but Maine is known for some other patient characteristics that allow for a unique cultural training experience. The most prominent is perhaps the very large rural population. Most of the veterans will be coming from small towns, farming communities, and fishing villages. In fact, over 80% of VA Maine’s veterans live in areas classified as rural or highly rural. There will also be ample opportunity to work with older-adult and geriatric patients. Maine has the highest median age in the U.S, and that is reflected in our veteran population as well. Maine also is home to a large French-speaking ethnic population. Although U.S. born, many of our veterans are of French-Canadian heritage and were raised in homes speaking Québécois or Acadian French. Finally, Maine has a sizeable LGBTQ community, with a recent Gallup poll (2015-16) placing Maine in the top ten states in terms of percentage of population identifying as LGBTQ. This includes a number of VA Maine veterans (and staff), who identify as being part of the LGBTQ community and are fairly well represented here compared to other places.

Training community and socialization

The Neuropsychology Fellowship Program is one of three training programs in psychology at VA Maine. The others include an APA-accredited clinical psychology fellowship that has six clinical psychology postdocs, and an APA-accredited clinical psychology internship program with four clinical psychology interns (one of which is a dedicated neuropsychology track intern). Therefore, the neuropsychology fellows are part of a large cohort of psychology trainees at VA Maine. In addition to predoctoral and postdoctoral psychology trainees, VA Maine is a teaching hospital hosting several other training programs with medical students, psychiatry residents, urology and ophthalmology residents, dental externs, optometry residents, physician assistant students, pharmacy residents, nursing students, dietetics students, social work trainees, occupational therapy students, and physical therapy students. As a result, there is a vibrant learning atmosphere, and opportunities to engage in collaborative learning activities with other disciplines.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Joshua E. Caron, Ph.D., ABPP-CN Training Director, Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship Program Mary T. Melquist, Ph.D. Training Director, Psychology Internship & Fellowship Program Jerold E. Hambright, Ph.D. Chair of the Psychology Training Committee Christine B. Ramsay, Ph.D. Psychology Training Committee Secretary

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Gregory R. Caron, Psy.D., ABPP-CL Chief, Psychology Services The Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship Program is part of the psychology training infrastructure at VA Maine. Dr. Melquist is responsible for the administration of the Clinical Psychology Training Programs while Dr. Caron is responsible for the administration of the Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Program. Dr. Caron uses input from the team of supervisory clinical neuropsychologists, Dr. Melquist, and the Training Committee to coordinate the allocation of resources and develop strategic plans and related policies. Dr. Caron is responsible for receiving direct feedback from supervisory clinical neuropsychologists about fellows’ duties and performances. Likewise, Dr. Caron solicits and responds to feedback from the fellows regarding their training needs, the quality of their training experiences, and any other issues that may influence their training. Dr. Caron maintains all Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship Program records. The Psychology Training Committee formulates and oversees the policies and procedures concerning psychology training at VA Maine, and maintains responsibility for addressing trainee problems in the areas of conduct and/or performance brought before the committee. The Executive Training Committee, chaired by Dr. Hambright, and consisting of representatives from all psychology training areas, meets twice a month to coordinate aspects of all psychology training programs. The ETC also monitors the progress of trainees and assure continuity of training across various rotations and training settings. Final decisions regarding all Psychology Training Programs are the responsibility of the Chief of the Psychology (Dr. Greg Caron).

Administrative Policies and Procedures

Conflict Resolution Procedures: a. Resident-Supervisor Conflicts. In the event that disagreement occurs between a Supervisor and a Resident regarding the Supervisor’s requirements for a training rotation, a Supervisor’s evaluation, or other conflict, the following procedures apply: (1) The Supervisor and Resident must first meet to attempt to resolve the conflict. A memorandum for the record may be prepared. If a lack of resolution remains, the Resident and Supervisor must each present a written statement to the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director within five working days of the Resident-Supervisor meeting. The written statements will specify the areas of disagreement and each party’s recommended solutions. (2) The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will meet with the Resident and Supervisor together within five working days of receipt of their statements. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will attempt to mediate the dispute. (3) If no acceptable solution is reached, the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will write a statement indicating a recommended solution and forward it to the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee, with a copy to the Resident and the Supervisor. (4) Upon receipt of the Director’s recommendations, the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee will call a meeting of the Committee to occur within ten working days. The Committee will hear information on the dispute from the Resident, the Supervisor, the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director, and any other person who the Committee believes may provide information to assist it in reaching an appropriate decision. (5) The Psychology Training Committee will decide the dispute by majority decision, with at least half of the Committee members being present constituting a quorum. The supervisor and the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director, who are normally part of the Training Committee, will not be permitted to vote. The decision will be in writing, with the areas of dispute and their decision in each area being specified. The Psychology Training Committee’s decision will be final.

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(6) In disputes involving a Supervisor’s evaluation, the Psychology Training Committee may decide to amend the Supervisor’s evaluation. The findings and amendment will be permanently attached to the Supervisor’s evaluation. (7) In the event of a failed rotation, the procedures for dismissal apply (see paragraph 2, DISMISSAL). b. Conflicts with the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director. In the event there is a disagreement with the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director regarding a matter in which the Director is serving as Supervisor or an aspect of the Psychology Training Program other than those specified in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, or 5 below, the following procedures apply: (1) The Director and Resident must first meet to attempt to resolve the conflict. A memorandum for the record may be prepared. If resolution remains elusive, the Resident and the Director must each present a written statement to the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee within five working days of the Resident-Director meeting. The written statements will specify the areas of disagreement and each party’s recommended solutions. (2) Upon receipt of the written statements, the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee will call a meeting of the Committee to occur within ten working days. The Committee will hear information on the dispute from the Resident, the Psychology Training Director, and any other person who the Committee believes may provide information to assist it in reaching an appropriate decision. (3) The Psychology Training Committee will decide the dispute by majority decision with at least half of the Committee members being present constituting a quorum. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will not be permitted to vote. The decision will be in writing with the areas of dispute and their decision in each area being specified. The Psychology Training Committee’s decision will be final. 2. DISMISSAL: Involuntary dismissal from the fellowship program prior to program completion may be based upon the Resident’s failure to receive a satisfactory evaluation at the conclusion of a training rotation, a Resident’s unsuitability for clinical responsibilities based upon personal or behavioral problems, criminal activity, or unethical conduct. In each case, except for the commission of a felony or unethical sexual behavior (see paragraph 5, EXCEPTIONS), the following procedures apply: a. Upon learning of any situation that might result in dismissal, the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will meet with the involved Resident within five working days of notification. At this meeting, the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will specify the problem(s), the remedial action required of the Resident, and the amount of time required for completion of the remedial action. A written memorandum specifying the problem(s), the required remedial action, and the time for completion will be signed by both the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director and the Resident. In some circumstances, the remediation plan may provide for the Resident’s voluntary resignation from the program. If the Resident disagrees with the remediation plan, he or she may appeal to the Psychology Training Committee (see paragraph 3, INTERNAL APPEAL). b. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will evaluate the Resident’s compliance with the remediation plan and will certify, in writing, successful completion, or, if the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director determines that the remediation plan has not been satisfactorily completed, he or she will notify, in writing, the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee of the Resident’s lack of compliance. c. Upon receipt of a memorandum indicating a Resident’s lack of compliance with a remediation plan, the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee will call a meeting of the Psychology Training Committee to occur within ten working days. The Committee will hear the evidence presented by the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director and statements from the Resident regarding lack of compliance with the remediation plan. The Committee may request additional information from Supervisors or any other person who may assist the Committee in reaching an appropriate decision. The

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Psychology Training Committee will determine whether just cause exists to dismiss the Resident. A majority vote is required with half of the Committee members being present constituting a quorum. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will not be permitted to vote during this process. The Psychology Training Committee’s findings will be in writing with the problem(s) specified and the areas of noncompliance noted. If the Resident disagrees with the findings of the Psychology Training Committee with regard to dismissal, he or she may appeal to the External Appeal Board (see paragraph 4, EXTERNAL APPEAL). d. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director and the Psychology Training Committee are not limited to the provision of paragraph 7 in cases alleging the commission of a felony or unethical sexual behavior. Such cases may be dealt with under the provisions of this paragraph, as well. 3. INTERNAL APPEAL: A Resident may appeal a remediation plan developed by the Psychology Training Director. If the Resident disagrees with the remediation plan, an appeal may be made to the Psychology Training Committee within five working days of the initial presentation of the remediation plan. The following procedures apply: a. The specific reasons for the Resident’s unwillingness to accept the remediation plan must be stated in writing and submitted to the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee. b. The Chair of the Psychology Training Committee will call a meeting of the Psychology Training Committee within ten working days of receipt of an appeal. The Committee will hear information presented by the Resident and the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director regarding the remediation plan, and the Committee may request information from Supervisors and other persons necessary for the Committee to reach an appropriate decision. c. The Psychology Training Committee will then prepare a revised remediation plan which is binding on the Resident and program. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will meet with the Committee, but will not vote on the revised plan. d. If the Resident refuses to accept the Committee-prepared remediation plan, the Psychology Training Committee will vote on whether just cause exists to dismiss the Resident from the program. A majority vote is required with half of the Committee members present constituting a quorum. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will not be permitted to vote. The Psychology Training Committee’s findings will be in writing with the problem(s) that require remediation specified. A copy of the remediation plan and the decision of the Committee will be provided to the Resident. 4. EXTERNAL APPEAL: A Resident may appeal a dismissal decision rendered by the Psychology Training Committee to the External Appeal Board. The External Appeal Board represents a reciprocal appeals agreement currently in place with the Bedford VAMC Psychology Training Program. It is chaired by the Bedford VAMC Psychology Training Director and is also comprised of two additional psychologists designated from the Bedford VAMC Psychology Training Program. If the Resident disagrees with the dismissal decision, an appeal may be made to the External Appeal Board within five working days of the initial dismissal decision. The following procedures apply: a. The specific reasons for the Resident’s unwillingness to accept the dismissal decision must be stated in writing and submitted to the Chair of the External Appeal Board with a courtesy copy to the Chair of the Togus Psychology Training Committee. b. The Chair of the External Appeal Board will call a meeting of the Appeal Board within ten working days of receipt of an appeal. The Resident may, if he or she elects, attend the Board meeting and present a brief statement regarding the dismissal. The Resident will also have the opportunity to respond to any questions from the Board. The Board will review the information submitted by the Resident and the Chair of the Togus Psychology Training Committee regarding the dismissal decision. If necessary, the Board may request additional information from the Togus Psychology Training Director, Supervisors, or other persons as required for the Board to reach an appropriate decision.

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c. The External Appeal Board will then vote on whether just cause existed to dismiss the Resident from the program. A majority vote is required among the three members serving on this Board. The External Appeal Board’s decision will be in writing with the salient reasons for their decision specified. The decision of the External Appeal Board is final. A copy of the decision will be provided to the Togus Psychology Training Committee and to the Resident. 5. EXCEPTIONS: a. Unethical Sexual Behavior. If there is reason to believe that a Resident has engaged in unethical sexual behavior, as defined by the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will immediately suspend the Resident from the Psychology Training Program. The Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director will immediately notify the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee, and the Chair will call a meeting of the Committee within five working days of the Resident’s suspension. The Committee will determine whether just cause exists to dismiss the Resident from the Psychology Training Program. The Psychology Training Committee’s decision will be based on whether such behavior did or did not actually occur. In the absence of information necessary to determine if the behavior occurred, the Resident shall be reinstated without prejudice. A majority vote is required with half of the Committee members being present constituting a quorum. The Committee’s findings will be in writing, with the unethical sexual behavior specified, if found to exist. The decision of the Psychology Training Committee is final, and a copy will be provided to the Resident. b. Felony Charges. If a Resident is charged with a felony, the Resident will be suspended from the Psychology Training Program by the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director pending judicial decision. If found not guilty of the charge(s), the Resident will be reinstated in the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Program without prejudice, except that if the Resident is found not guilty, and there is a detrimental nexus between the Resident’s behavior and the efficiency of service, action may be taken under paragraph 4, above. If a Resident is found guilty of a felony, he or she will be immediately dismissed from the Psychology Training Program. Nothing in this memorandum is intended to preclude the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director and the Psychology Training Committee from taking the actions prescribed under paragraph 4, above, with respect to the behavior of Residents with felony charges pending. 6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: a. Absence of the Neuropsychology Fellowship Training Director. In the event of the absence of the Psychology Training Director, the Senior Neuropsychologist or his/her Acting Designee will act in the Director’s capacity as specified by this memorandum. b. Absence of the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee. In the event of the absence of the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee, the Psychology Training Committee will meet and elect an Acting Chair, who will act in the capacity of the Chair of the Psychology Training Committee as described in this memorandum. c. Absence of the External Appeal Board. In the event of the absence or non-availability of the previously arranged External Appeal Board, the Chair of the Togus Psychology Training Committee will act to arrange an Acting External Appeal Board from another VAMC Psychology Training Program, preferably within the VA New England Healthcare System.

FACILITY AND TRAINING RESOURCES

Fellows are provided offices equipped with networked personal computers, with easy access to patients' computerized medical records, e-mail, and internet. We also have a full range of neuropsychological test materials and budgeted support for test forms and additional tests, as needed.

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The Neuropsychology Program at the Lewiston CBOC is housed in a suite of mental health offices, with offices for clinical staff, trainees, conference rooms (one with A/V presentation and telehealth systems), and a spacious waiting area to accommodate patients and family members. Computer testing/scoring (via Mental Health Assistant) is available on all personal computers for frequently administered psychological instruments such as the PAI or MMPI-2RF. There are also a few computers with additional scoring programs for select neuropsychological tests. Library facilities available to fellows include the Medical Center's professional library. Assistance with literature retrieval is provided through the Medical Center's professional library. The Neuropsychology Program also maintains its own library (PDFs stored on a shared drive) of key readings related to professional issues in clinical neuropsychology, neurological and medical disorders affecting CNS functioning, and psychometrics.

TRAINING MODEL AND PROGRAM

Our neuropsychology training relies on a scientist-practitioner model that adheres to Houston Conference Guidelines to prepare neuropsychology residents for independent practice and board certification. The training program has specialty-specific competency expectations for fellows that involve brain-behavior relationships, neuropsychological evaluation and consultation, neuropsychological intervention, research, supervision and teaching, and organization/administration. Consistent with core competency expectations outlined by APA’s Standards of Accreditation, we strive to produce ethically grounded and culturally competent neuropsychologists who are informed by science and use evidence-based practices. To ensure competencies are met, individual training plans are made for every resident at the start of each training year. Prior experiences, current interests, and the resident’s self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses are used to formulate the training plan. Dr. Caron and the fellow work collaboratively on the plan to ensure it meets the program’s core and specialty-specific competency expectations while also empowering self-directed learning. Based on identified needs or interests that may arise during the course of training, this training plan can be revised at any time.

Clinical Training

Each year there are two six-month training rotations in neuropsychology. Fellows may elect to do one six-month minor rotation each year if there is an additional area of interest. A visual example of a yearly rotation schedule might look like the following:

Year 1 Rotation period 1 (six months) Rotation period 2 (six months)

Primary rotation Neuropsychology Neuropsychology

Minor rotation None Pediatric neuropsychology

Year 2

Primary rotation Neuropsychology Neuropsychology

Minor rotation Geropsychology None

It should be noted that “minor” rotations are not mandatory. It is perfectly fine for neuropsychology residents to spend 100% of their time in primary neuropsychological rotation. Minor rotations only come into effect when the fellow “elects” to do a non-neuropsychology experience OR a non-VA neuropsychology training experience. Elective rotations are no more than 1-1.5 days a week, with the rest of the week dedicated to the primary neuropsychology rotation experience. On the primary neuropsychology rotation fellows gain core professional and specialty competencies through supervised clinical neuropsychological services provided to a wide range of adult veterans. Fellows answer consult questions about neurodegenerative disorders, acquired brain trauma, neurodevelopmental disorders persisting into adulthood (e.g., ADHD), and medical and psychiatric disorders affecting functional capacities. During the primary rotations fellows increasingly gain advanced competencies diagnosing disorders of higher brain functions, integrating sources of information to conceptualize clinical presentations, and provide practical recommendations for impairments and functional decline.

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In addition to providing assessment and consultation services, fellows on the primary neuropsychology rotation are expected to co-lead CogSMART groups. CogSMART is a psychoeducational and cognitive rehabilitation group that helps veterans develop strategies to support attention, memory, problem-solving, and other aspects of cognitive functions important in daily life. Emphasis is on generalization of skills to "real life" through extensive practice and homework between sessions. CogSMART was originally developed at UCSD/SDVA to address the cognitive issues frequently reported by returning veterans with a history of mild TBI. VA Maine offers CogSMART to any enrolled veteran without dementia who has concerns about cognitive functioning, and patients do not need to have a history of TBI to participate. The primary neuropsychology rotation experience involves two outpatient neuropsychological assessments per week while at times also leading a CogSMART group. This schedule may be modified depending on whether the resident is taking an elective minor rotation or engaged in another activity such as supervising a junior colleague during a vertical supervision experience. In other words, the fellow’s personal case load is typically adjusted to accommodate other activities when necessary. In addition to outpatient evaluations and CogSMART, fellows are also engaged in other weekly activities to include working on research projects, teaching and presenting (seminars, didactics, rounds, etc.), working on program development projects, attending supervision, didactic trainings, and meetings (mental health service line meetings and training committee meetings). These activities are described in greater detail below.

Individual and group supervision

Regarding the supervision of fellows’ activities, fellows are typically assigned to multiple supervisors during each rotation. The fellows' opportunity to observe and receive individual supervision from multiple supervisors is essential to the training experience. While all neuropsychology supervisors have shared ideals and approaches to supervision, each supervisor also has unique strengths to their clinical acumen. The exposure to diverse supervisory styles and clinical approaches helps broaden and enhance professional development. Each assigned supervisor during a rotation holds regularly scheduled face-to-face supervision with fellows such that the fellow receives at least two hours of individual supervision per week (and often much more than that). All fellows receive extensive direct observation as they begin the fellowship, but as fellows progress through the program they assume greater autonomy over clinical activities and may receive less direct observation in lieu of other forms of supervision. That is, supervision necessarily evolves with the fellow’s demonstrated competencies such that less direct observation is needed for certain activities and more time can be dedicated to discussing nuanced/higher-level competencies during individual supervision. One measure of successful training is that the individual supervision naturally evolves into a collegial and collaborative supervisory relationship as the fellow approached graduation. In addition to individual supervision, neuropsychology postdoctoral fellows participate in a weekly two-hour group supervision. Group supervision involves all neuropsychology supervisors, clinical neuropsychology fellows, the neuropsychology track intern, and any clinical psychology trainees (interns or fellows) taking an elective neuropsychology rotation at that time. The first hour is dedicated to reviewing and discussing trainee’s cases that week. The second hour is dedicated to one of four specific supervision topics that changes each week. The specific supervision topics are research, ethics, professional development, and program development. When there is a fifth week of a month, the second hour of supervision is dedicated to other activities such as mock exams for board certification, or mock peer-reviews of manuscripts for journals.

Seminars and didactics

At VA Maine there is a rich array of didactics offered across the three psychology training programs. Fellows typically attend 2-3 hours of didactics per week, and sometimes more. Didactic offerings are designed to facilitate the integration of science and practice by presenting relevant empirical and theoretical information. Seminars address substantive aspects of clinical neuropsychology to enhance

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professional development. For the 2018-2019 academic year, most seminars and didactics will be scheduled on Mondays. The weekly seminars neuropsychology fellows are expected to attend include the Rotating seminar and the Neuropsychology seminar. Although not mandatory, neuropsychology fellows may also elect to sit in on the two-hour Clinical Psychology Seminars offered through the Clinical Psychology Program, Grand Rounds, and/or other national and VISN-level seminars often offered through VA programs (e.g., Friday Geropsychology Seminars offered through VA Pulse). In addition to the weekly training activities, neuropsychology fellows also attend two other trainings that occur once a month. One is a brain cutting experience and the other is the Interdisciplinary Professional Education (IPE) seminar. The Rotating seminar: The four seminars that “rotate” each week include Case presentation (1st week of month), Journal Club (2nd week), Multicultural Seminar (3rd week), and Professional Development (4th week). The Case conference provides an opportunity for in-depth conceptualization of assessment and psychotherapy cases, which are considered from a number of theoretical orientations. The Journal club seminar offers a forum for review and discussion of relevant articles in the field. Readings of interest are selected on a rotating basis by residents and interns, and the responsible trainee prepares questions for the group and manages the discussion. The Multicultural Seminar covers a number of individual and cultural diversity topics. Some are relevant to understanding Maine’s local diversity while others are focused on practicing multiculturalism more broadly. Past topics have included rural populations, military, LGBTQ, religion, and cultural neuropsychology. The Professional Development Seminar provides practical consideration and preparation for careers in psychology. Topics include preparation for the EPPP, licensure, applying for psychology job positions/early-career options, interviewing skills, balancing personal and professional life, service and citizenship, publication and presentation. This seminar also incorporates discussion of relevant articles and topics related to administration, organization, and management. The Neuropsychology Seminar: This is a weekly one-hour seminar covering a number of pertinent neuropsychological topics such as basic neuroscience, neuropathology/neuroanatomy, clinical neurology, testing and psychometrics, neuropsychological assessment, and neurological and psychiatric disorders. Postdocs are required to present three topics of their choice in the first year, and five topics of their choice in the second year. The brain cutting experience: This experience is voluntary. It takes place outside of the VA, and is held at the Chief Medical Examiner’s office in Augusta, Maine. This training experience does not have a set schedule because it is negotiated monthly with the Chief Medical Examiner; however, it usually occurs on a Thursday or Friday morning. It cannot be stressed enough that is different from a traditional brain cutting seminar. Rather than observing a neuropathologist cut through “fixed” brains during a prepared seminar, VA Maine postdocs have the opportunity to get “hands on” during an autopsy. Postdocs observe the autopsies and then perform (or watch) the brain cutting immediately after the brain is removed. This is done under the guidance of Dr. Caron and Dr. Mark Flomenbaum (the Chief Medical Examiner). Obviously, the brains will not have been fixed or prepped prior to cutting, which makes the process a little more challenging at times. Nonetheless, the experience provides a forum to reinforce understanding of basic neuroanatomy, as well as knowledge of gross brain examination techniques (no pun intended… okay it was intended). The Interdisciplinary Professional Education (IPE) seminar: This is a 45-minute seminar held on the first Tuesday of every month at noon, and it is located at the Lewiston CBOC. It focuses on multidisciplinary rural health care topics. Preceptors and trainees from primary care, social work, pharmacy, optometry, and mental health take turns presenting at the seminar. Topics are wide ranging, but generally centered around disease-state management considerations encountered by all disciplines. Further, the seminar focuses on issues regarding service delivery to veterans in rural health care settings. The coordinator of this seminar is Kyla Duchin, O.D.

Research and program development

Supervised research activities include reviewing empirical literature, managing clinical databases, coordinating administrative activities related to research, performing statistical analyses, interpreting

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findings, and preparing/submitting results for presentation and/or publication. Program development involves identifying weakness in VA Maine services or administrative systems and then developing and implementing solutions for improvement. Examples of previous projects include the development of a Cultural Diversity Seminar series for the training program, development of a research database, and modifying the CogSMART program to be delivered individually to patients who may not be able to regularly attend all 10-weeks of the group. All fellows spend 20% of their time each week engaged in research and program development activities. By the end of the two-year training experience, all fellows are required to complete at least one program development project and serve as the primary author on at least one scholarly product (e.g., conference presentation, manuscript submission).

Supervision and teaching opportunities

Clinical neuropsychology fellows gain competencies in the provision of supervision by supervising other trainees who are less experienced. The supervisees include any trainee that is not a neuropsychology fellow and taking a clinical neuropsychology training rotation. This includes interns and non-neuropsychology postdocs from the Clinical Psychology Fellowship Program. Supervision experiences are usually introduced in the second year of training through tiered supervision with a neuropsychology staff member. Fellows gain experience in teaching through presentations in the Neuropsychology Seminar, the Rotating seminar, and IPE Seminar. There are also opportunities to present at Grand Rounds. PROGRAM AIMS AND COMPETENCIES: The program’s aim is to produce neuropsychologists with advanced competencies in adult clinical neuropsychology. At minim this includes the ability to provide excellent clinical service to patients, the ability to provide competent training and supervision, the ability to function in large organizations and improve its processes, and the ability to conduct clinically relevant research. Every six months neuropsychology residents are rated on competencies considered core and specialty-specific. General professional competencies

• Demonstrates knowledge and application of ethics and professional issues in psychology and neuropsychology.

• Uses supervision productively.

• Completes patient care tasks in a timely manner.

• Demonstrates effective social and relational functioning.

• Demonstrates awareness of cultural issues and diversity in professional activities.

• Demonstrates that professional activities are informed by scholarly inquiry. Brain-behavior relationships competencies

• Demonstrates knowledge of functional neuroanatomy and neuropsychology of behavior

• Demonstrates knowledge of neurological and related disorders including their etiology, pathology, course, and treatment.

• Demonstrates knowledge of non-neurological conditions and their CNS effects.

• Demonstrates knowledge of neuroimaging, EEG, labs, and other neurodiagnostic techniques

• Demonstrates knowledge of neurochemistry of behavior and psychopharmacology. Neuropsychological evaluation competencies

• Demonstrates information gathering skills.

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills in psychometric theory, test selection, test administration, and specialized neuropsychological assessment techniques.

• Demonstrates competence in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders.

• Demonstrates competence in interpretation of neuropsychological and psychological tests and diagnosis of neurobehavioral conditions.

• Identifies practical implications and provides appropriate recommendations.

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Neuropsychological intervention competencies

• Effectively utilizes evidence-based neuropsychological and psychological interventions.

• Demonstrates competence in the adaptation and delivery of interventions to neuropsychological populations.

• Provides effective psychoeducation to patients, caregivers, and/or families. Neuropsychological consultation competencies

• Clarifies referral issues and when appropriate educates referral sources.

• Communicates feedback and practical implications to patients and family members.

• Communicates evaluation results and recommendations to team members and other providers.

• Demonstrates competence in report writing and written communication skills. Research competencies

• Effectively performs lit reviews and evaluates quality of published research

• Effectively selects a research topic.

• Demonstrates skills in research design and statistical analysis.

• Effectively manages IRB procedures, research activities, and research progress.

• Effectively presents and communicates research findings. Supervision and teaching competencies

• Demonstrates skills in the provision of supervision.

• Demonstrates skills in presenting and teaching during didactics, seminars, and case presentations.

Organization, management, and administration competencies

• Demonstrates skills in program evaluation and program development.

• Reliably uses the organization’s procedures (e.g., billing codes, leave time, scheduling).

• Effectively represents and promotes neuropsychological services within the VA healthcare system.

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ROTATION REQUIREMENTS AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Rotation Completion Requirements

For the competencies listed on pg. 13, fellows must achieve a minimum competency levels described below at the end of each six-month rotation. Each successive primary rotation requires an increased competency level for successful completion.

Competency Rating Levels

5 Expert Competence: Demonstrates a level of competence commensurate with that of an experienced practicing neuropsychologist or board-certified neuropsychologist. Almost all of the routine communication in supervision is from the fellow to the supervisor. Supervision is collaborative and collegial and may resemble peer supervision between independent practitioners. There are no significant gap in knowledge or skill in this competency area.

4 Advanced Competence: Demonstrates a level of competence expected upon completion of the postdoctoral fellowship. Most of the routine communication in supervision is from the fellow to the supervisor. Supervision is typically collaborative, and the fellow shows at most minor gaps in knowledge and/or skills.

3 Intermediate to Advanced Competence: Competence at a level expected at the completion of the first year of the fellowship. Routine communication in supervision involves a combination of the fellow reporting to the supervisor and the supervisor advising the fellow, at times in a directive manner. Some gaps in skills and/or knowledge remain and are a focus of supervision. Competencies at this level during the final months prior to graduation may require a remediation plan.

2 Intermediate Competence: Competence at a level expected at the beginning of the fellowship. Supervision is frequently directive, with the supervisor providing frequent extended input during routine supervision. Large gaps in skills and/or knowledge are present and are a major focus of ongoing supervision. Other than within Elective Rotation Competencies (see below), competencies at this level during the second year would require a remediation plan.

1 Basic Competence: Competence below the level expected at the beginning of the fellowship. Supervision is very directive, structured, and intensive. Multiple large gaps in skills and/or knowledge are present. Remedial work is needed in this competency area.

Competency Expectations

YEAR 1 1st Rotation

Primary Neuropsychology Rotation: Ratings of Intermediate Competence (2) or higher for all observed competencies.

YEAR 1 2nd Rotation

Primary Neuropsychology Rotation: Ratings are Intermediate to Advanced Competence (3) or higher for all observed competencies except for Elective Rotation Competencies. Elective Rotations: Ratings of Intermediate Competence (2) or higher.

YEAR 2 1st Rotation

Primary Neuropsychology Rotation: At least half of the Ratings are at the level of Advanced Competence (4) or higher, and no ratings of Intermediate Competence (2) except for Elective Rotation Competencies. Elective Rotations: Ratings of Intermediate Competence (2) or higher.

Year 2 2nd Rotation

Adult Neuropsychology Rotations: Ratings of Advanced Competence (4) or higher for all competencies except for Elective Rotation Competencies. Elective Rotations: Ratings of Intermediate Competence (2) or higher.

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Graduation Requirements

1) Two full years of training completed in no less than two calendar years. Each year consistes of a minimum of 2,080 employment hours, including earned sick and annual leave and federal holidays.

a. A minimum of 5/6 (i.e., 1733 hours) of the training hours for each year must take place in rotations offered at VA Maine. The remaining hours can be spent in a non-VA training experience (e.g., pediatric neuropsychology at Maine General).

2) Successful completion of all four primary rotations in clinical neuropsychology and any elective minor rotations.

3) Demonstrated ability to provide effective supervision in a clinical neuropsychology setting. 4) Demonstrated teaching abilities. 5) Serve as primary author of at least one scholarly product (i.e., conference submission, manuscript

submission, or comprehensive research presentation). 6) Successful completion of a program development project 7) Demonstrate organization and management competencies through clinical, program development,

and research activities. 8) Ratings at or above “Advanced Competence” for all of the program’s measured compentencies by the

end of the two-year training experience.

TRAINING STAFF

The Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers primary rotations in clinical neuropsychology at the Lewiston CBOC and Togus, but also offers elective non-neuropsychology rotations at Togus and an elective pediatric rotation that is off-site at Maine General Medical Center. VA Maine Neuropsychology Supervisors (presented in alphabetical order below). Joshua E. Caron, Ph.D., ABPP-CN Graduate Program: Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology), University Nevada Las Vegas Internship Program: University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Neuropsychology Track Fellowship Program: Memphis VAMC, Clinical Neuropsychology Licensed Psychologist, Tennessee (Clinical) Director of Training, Neuropsychology Fellowship Program Dr. Caron is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at the Lewiston CBOC and the Director of Clinical Training for the Neuropsychology Fellowship Program. He serves on several committees at VA Maine to include Research and Development and the Psychology Training Committee. He has authored or co-authored book chapters on neuropsychological training, forensic neuropsychology, forensic geropsychology, and the quantitative process approach. His past research explored classification rates for embedded measures of performance validity. His latest interest is exploring the comparability of teleneuropsychology to traditional face-to-face neuropsychological examinations. On a more personal note, Dr. Caron is a Maine native who loves to adventure with his wife and kids. He was in the Army prior to college, and most of his extended family are veterans who receive care at VA Maine. Thus, he considers VA Maine more than just a place to work. Finally, he is a devout (some say annoying) Boston sports fan. Applicants who are fans of rival teams need to know they will be in for a rough two-year experience. Katherine Charpentier, Psy.D. Graduate Program: American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Southern California Internship Program: Montana VA Healthcare System Fellowship Program: VA Maine Healthcare System, Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship Program Licensed Psychologist, Colorado Dr. Charpentier is the most recent member of the neuropsychology staff, but she is not new to the Clinical Neuropsychology Fellowship Program or VA Maine (she is a graduate of the fellowship program!). She is the fulltime neuropsychology staff member at Togus and the primary supervisor for neuropsychological

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training activities taking place at Togus, to include supervising the inpatient neuropsychology consults. In addition to clinical neuropsychology, Dr. Charpentier also has a strong clinical background in pain management and sports psychology. Her previous research activities include investigations of personality structures in patients with chronic pain, and exploring MMPI-2RF elevations in ADHD. She is also a member of the Multicultural and Diversity Committee. Dr. Charpentier is a native New Englander who loves music and travel. Jason M. Kaplan, Psy.D. Graduate Program: Clinical Psychology, Azusa Pacific University Internship Program: Coatesville VAMC, Clinical Neuropsychology Track Fellowship Program: VA North Texas Healthcare System, Clinical Neuropsychology Licensed Psychologist, Kansas Dr. Kaplan is a clinical neuropsychologist with a particular interest in aging. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of South Carolina before attending graduate school with the goal of serving veterans at the VA. During graduate school, he worked at the California Institute of Technology as a research assistant, investigating the psychological characteristics of agenesis of the corpus callosum. Other research has included exploring provider perceptions of mild TBI and the diagnostic utility of functional assessment measure. Dr. Kaplan is a staff neuropsychologist at the Lewiston CBOC and certified in STAR-VA behavior management in dementia. He is co-chair of the Multicultural Diversity committee and enjoys working with trainees and staff to provide education and make VA Maine more inclusive. When not working, Dr. Kaplan enjoys traveling with his wife and two children, going to local festivals, running, and exploring the great outdoors. Christine Ramsay, Ph.D. Graduate program: University of Connecticut Internship Program: Boston VAMC Fellowship Program: Boston VAMC Licensed Psychologist, Maine (Clinical) Clinics Coordinator, Neuropsychology Program Dr. Ramsay is a clinical psychologist who has a longstanding interest in the science of brain and behavior relationships. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience (contract major) from Williams College before working at the Boston VA as a research assistant in the Language in the Aging Brain laboratory (Drs. Martin Albert and Lorraine Obler). She then returned to graduate school to obtain a professional degree which would allow her to practice clinical neuropsychology. During that training, her research interests and clinical experiences expanded to include autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (Dr. Deborah Fein), hypnosis (Dr. Irving Kirsch), neurotoxic chemical exposure (Dr. Roberta White), and aphasia (Dr. Harold Goodglass). Dr. Ramsay then worked in private practice in Yarmouth and Freeport for almost ten years before returning to the VA system, now in Maine, in 2011. She currently continues her clinical work doing neuropsychological evaluations for a varied group of patients, often using the Boston Process approach (Dr. Edith Kaplan) with which she was trained. She maintains interests in practicing neuropsychology with an appreciation to lifespan considerations and functional implications. She is a staff neuropsychologist at VA Maine Healthcare System and a member of the Psychology Training Committee. When not at work, she is often at an ice rink somewhere in New England watching her sons play hockey. Maine General Medical Center Supervisor Anne Uecker, PhD Graduate program: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Internship Program: Pima County Juvenile Detention Center, Tucson, AZ Fellowship Program: North Coast Rehabilitation Center, Santa Rosa, CA & University of Arizona, Tucson Licensed Psychologist, Maine Dr. Uecker is a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and their families with cognitive, neuropsychological, emotional, behavioral and social

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concerns. A member of Maine General Medical Center's Professional Services Staff, Dr. Uecker has practiced locally since 2000. VA Maine HCS Clinical Psychology Supervisors Please see training brochures for the VA Maine internship program and clinical psychology fellowship program for details regarding non-neuropsychology supervisors. Those brochures are located at https://www.maine.va.gov/psychtrain/

CURRENT AND PAST RESIDENTS

2018-2020 Jillian Keener, Psy.D., Marshall University 2018-2020 Yesenia Serrano, Psy.D., Carlos Albizu University, San Juan, PR 2017-2019 Sarah Schubmehl, Psy.D., The Wright Institute 2016-2018 Steven Erickson, Psy.D., Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy 2015-2017 Katherine Charpentier, Psy.D., American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Southern California

LIVING IN MAINE

Maine is a true paradise for those who love the outdoors, and VA facilities are within easy driving distance to mountains, lakes, rivers, and seacoast. We strongly encourage you to visit www.visitmaine.com to learn more about all that Maine has to offer.