Joseph Merlino, MD, MPA, DLFAPA

Previously: Founding Vice President SUNY Downstate; Deputy Executive Director Kings County Hospital; Director of Psychiatry, Queens Hospital Center; Director of Ambulatory Mental Health, Bellevue Hospital; Associate Director Psychiatry, Lenox Hill Hospital. The position of Vice President for Faculty Affairs & Professional Development was created to assist the faculty and administrators of the five colleges and schools at the Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn in their mission of educating the next generation of health care providers and scientists. Dr. Merlino was appointed to this post as the founding Vice President after completing eleven and a half years as a Director of Psychiatry, six at Queens Hospital and five and a half years at Kings County Hospital Center. Dr. Merlino was recruited to lead the turn-around of the behavioural health division of Kings County Hospital, one of the largest behavioural health centres in the country, after the U.S Department of Justice law suit. This transformation was considered a major success by every measure according to all reviewing agencies. He also served as Chairperson, Council of Directors of Psychiatry, New York City Health &Hospitals Corp. 2012 - 2014. Dr. Merlino has been honored by Baruch College, CUNY, School of Public Affairs as one ten outstanding alumni for career achievements in 2016. Dr. Merlino's career has always focused on the development of his trainees and staff and the wellness of healthcare professionals. Teaching positions included Downstate College of Medicine, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs of Baruch College, Union Theological Seminary of New York City, Saint Peter’s University, and the medical schools of Mount Sinai Hospital and NYU. Dr. Merlino received certifications in psychoanalysis ( New York Medical College) bioethics and medical humanities ( Columbia University)and education for ministry (Sewanee University of the South). Specialties: Psychiatric Administration, Medical Education, Medical Humanities, Clinical Ethics, Psychotherapy and Psychiatry. Private practice: His private practice focuses on medical student, physician and LGBTQ+ mental health wellness as well as the clergy and the theatre arts.