VA Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment

VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment (MIRT)

About Us

The MIRT Fellowship at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Northwest Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (NW MIRECC) at the VA Portland Healthcare System (VAPORHCS), is a 2-year research intensive training program. Fellows are trained in translational, clinical, and health systems research, advanced clinical care service delivery, and program administration in an interdisciplinary setting.

Snapshot

• 2 years
• 75% research/25% clinical
• Receive mentored training
• Develop and implement research projects
• Publish and present findings
• Train in and submit grants

Meet the Leadership Team

Research Training

The primary goal of the NW MIRECC fellowship is to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and expertise to lead clinical research efforts that make a lasting impact on Veterans.

Advanced Fellows in the VAPORHCS program will join a rich research environment, ranked in the top 10 in VA research funding, with over 169 Principal Investigators, and over 585 active projects. In collaboration with their mentors, fellows will create a training plan tailored to their unique needs and career goals. Current opportunities exist to collaborate on a variety of clinical and health services research projects related to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, suicide prevention, treatment for chronic pain, sleep medicine, and more. Research methods used in current studies are diverse and include prospective research, randomized clinical trials, evidence synthesis, and qualitative research. VAPORHCS researchers have a wide range of statistical expertise and additional training and consulting opportunities may be available related to data management and statistical analysis. Over the course of the 2-year training program, fellows will design and implement projects, publish and present findings, and prepare grants for major federal funding mechanisms. The fellowship is designed with flexibility in mind and fellows are encouraged to curate a training experience that supports their individual goals.

Training Experiences

"Once I learned about the serious commitment the MIRECC had to research, I knew I needed to seize that opportunity immediately. I was surrounded by excellent mentorship locally but also supported by a nationwide network of VA investigators who wanted to help me achieve my goals. I feel confident in saying that without this opportunity, I would not be able to lead and enjoy the career I have". - Lee Neilson, MD, Neurologist

Research Expertise

VAPORHCS investigators have expertise in PTSD, traumatic brain injury, suicide prevention, treatment for chronic pain, and more. Please contact us to discuss possible research mentors.

MIRECC Faculty

• Miranda Lim, MD, PhD (Associate Director of Research): Sleep, TBI, PTSD, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Glymphatic Function
• Benjamin Morasco, PhD (Co-Director of Education): Chronic Pain, Cannabis Use, Health Systems Research
• Maya O’Neil, PhD (Co-Director of Education): PTSD, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Data Science, Repository Development, Machine Learning
• Jonathan Elliott, PhD: Sleep Physiology, TBI, PTSD, Chronic Pain, Parkinson’s Disease, Biomarkers
• Kate Clauss, PhD: PTSD, Cognitive Dysfunction, Eye Tracking, Data Science
• Greg Scott, MD, PhD: Toxic Exposures, Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Synucleinopathies, Biomarkers

"The training I received through the two-year VA NW MIRECC fellowship helped me gain a comprehensive understanding of health systems research and invaluable networking opportunities with investigators and operational partners nationally. I also sharpened my clinical skills in treating Veterans with PTSD and co-occurring disorders, which has brought nuance and relevance to the research questions I formulate. With guidance from esteemed research mentors, I was able to attain two VA-funded grants during my fellowship which provided me the platform from which to secure VA funding after fellowship. The stepped model of supervision and training offered through VA NW MIRECC provided a balance of supportive guidance and independence that aligned well with how I work and ultimately led to my position as an early career investigator within VA". - Vanessa Somohano, PhD, VAPORHCS Investigator

Resources Available

Clinical Training Opportunities

There are a variety of clinical training opportunities at VAPORHCS, and we support fellows in identifying opportunities that match their career goals. Fellows spend 25% of their time in clinical training to include direct patient care, preparation and notes, clinical supervision, and team meetings. There are often opportunities to gain tiered supervision experience. Psychology fellows can gain experience in a variety of mental health settings and interventions. This may include individual and group psychotherapy, assessment, and consultation. Medical Fellows will maintain clinical expertise in their respective fields with flexible, customized options spanning outpatient to inpatient care depending on their preferences. The MIRECC fellowship will work to align the clinical training opportunities to match the needs and goals for the fellow. 

Potential areas of focus include:

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Substance Use Treatment
• General Outpatient Psychology (BHIP)
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Health Psychology
• Sleep Medicine
• Chronic Pain
• Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)

"My clinical training experience in MIRECC was extremely robust. I gained experience with first line treatments for PTSD, i.e., Cognitive Processing Therapy & Prolonged Exposure, as well practice using alternative treatments, such as ACT for PTSD and mindfulness-based approaches. MIRECC helped me reach my training goals and thoroughly set up me for success in securing a full-time staff position working on the PCT after fellowship". - Kristoffer Rehder, PhD, VAPORHCS PCT

Training at the VAPORHCS

VAPORHCS is a vibrant community with diverse training experiences, excellent research support, and a wide range of clinical opportunities. You will join a group of friendly, supportive, professionals who are committed to improving Veteran health through their research and patient care. We are located in a beautiful physical environment with great connectivity with our academic affiliate, OHSU.

• Some of our favorite things about working here:
• Our culture is one of support and connectivity.
• Our campus is connected to forested walking/running trails with views of Mt. Hood.
• During the summer, OHSU has a farmer’s market every Tuesday. It’s a great spot for lunch.
• There are excellent food and coffee options on campus. 

Living in Portland

Portland is home to 652,503 people giving you access to all the amenities of a metropolitan area with the benefits of being in a small city. We have a thriving food scene, live music, comedy, arts, biking, professional sports, a science museum, lovely gardens, fitness groups, and dozens of parks and trails all within the city limits. If you adventure outside the city, you are 45 minutes from the Columbia River Gorge, 1.5 hours from the beach, 1.5 hours from Mt. Hood, and under 3 hours to Seattle and Mt. Rainier National Park. There is truly something for everyone!

Contact Benjamin.Morasco@va.gov

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Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you, use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC. The vans are driven by volunteers, and the rides coordinated by more than 133 Hospital Service Coordinators around the country. Our nation’s heroes travel around the globe to protect our freedoms—it’s only right that we return their dedication. Volunteering to drive a Vet ensures that even those living remotely from VA hospitals can make their appointments and never go without the treatment they need. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. Learn more about the DAV transportation network through the VISN 20 NewsFlash Resources section.

Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. According to DoD, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the United States Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. As of the end of FY2024, 39% of VISN 20 enrollees resided in rural or highly rural areas.

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• VISN 2: New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network
• VISN 4: VA Healthcare - VISN 4
• VISN 5: VA Capitol Health Care Network
• VISN 6: VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network
• VISN 7: VA Southeast Network
• VISN 8: VA Sunshine Healthcare Network
• VISN 9: VA MidSouth Healthcare Network
• VISN 10: VA Healthcare System
• VISN 12: VA Great Lakes Health Care System
• VISN 15: VA Heartland Network
• VISN 16: South Central VA Health Care Network
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• VISN 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network