Charles Dike, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry and co-director of the Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Law and Psychiatry Division, is the new president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL).
AAPL is an organization of psychiatrists dedicated to excellence in practice, teaching, and research in forensic psychiatry. Founded in 1969, AAPL has over 2,000 members in North America and around the world.
It promotes scientific and educational activities in forensic psychiatry by facilitating the exchange of ideas and practical clinical experience through publications and regularly scheduled national and regional meetings.
Dike is a longtime member of AAPL and has served in many capacities. For four years he was assistant to the editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and for eight years he was editor of the AAPL Newsletter. He was chair of the Ethics Committee for six years, founding chair of the Forensic Hospital Services Committee, founding chair of the Diversity Committee, program chair, and AAPL Executive Council leader and member.
Last year, AAPL named a scholarship for Dike to honor his many years of service to the organization.
The Charles Dike Scholarship is open to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (people of color) at AAPL.