CENTER UPDATES

Civil Commitment Through the Ethics Lens

Philip Candilis, MD, will present the Bruce Gage Lecture in Forensic Mental Health, sponsored by the CMHPL. His presentation "Civil Commitment Through the Ethics Lens: How We Got Here" will be on December 13, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT. This talk is included in both the Hot Topics in Mental Health & Law: Civil Commitment and UW Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds series.

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Forensic Spotlight

The Forensic Spotlight is an informal virtual meet-and-greet to learn about Dr. Philip Candilis’ work in forensic mental health and his career path. All are welcome, and psychiatry residents and other health professions trainees are especially encouraged to attend.

Civil Commitment 101

On November 12, Shadoe Jones, JD, presented the first webinar in the Hot Topics in Mental Health and Law series, "Civil Commitment 101: Overview of History and Current Practices." She addressed the historical evolution and current practices of civil commitment in the U.S. and examined how Washington's approach compares with other states.

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Forensic Mental Health Journal Club

Thank you to Dr. Claire Ashbaugh for leading a terrific journal club on immigration evaluations last month. Join us for the next Forensic Mental Health Journal Club on January 27, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. PT. Dr. Drew Calhoun, a forensic psychiatrist, will lead a discussion on two articles about civil commitment.

Interim meeting of the AMA

CMHPL Director Jennifer Piel recently attended the interim meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) as the Delegate for the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Psychiatric organizations with representation in the AMA House of Delegates comprise the Psychiatry Section Council. At the meeting, Dr. Piel was elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Psychiatry Section Council.

Dr. Piel provided testimony on civil causes of action in healthcare at a reference committee of the AMA.

AAPL Annual Meeting

Last month, several clinicians from Washington state attended the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) meeting in Vancouver, BC. Three psychiatrists who also teach in the UW Forensic Psychiatry Didactic Series had presentations at the meeting: Drew Calhoun, MD; Bhinna Park, MD; and Jennifer Piel, MD, JD.

AAPL's Executive Council. CMHPL core faculty member Dr. Katherine Michaelsen is a councilor. CMHPL Director Dr. Jennifer Piel has a position on the council as AAPL’s delegate to the American Medical Association and the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Legal Digest editor.

LEGAL UPDATE

DEA extends COVID-19 flexibilities

The DEA has extended the COVID-19 flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through December 31, 2025.