1952-2014
Robert T. M. Phillips, MD, PhD, passed away suddenly on April 18th. Dr. Phillips was a national leader in forensic psychiatry, a former member of the Yale Department of Psychiatry faculty, and an alumnus of the Yale Department of Psychiatry residency.
Dr. Robert Phillips was a national leader in forensic psychiatry and consultant to the United States Secret Service, where he assisted in the assessment of Presidential threats and in the training of Secret Service agents. A former chief resident and lecturer in psychiatry at Yale, Phillips spoke internationally on forensic psychiatry issues.
He has been involved in high-profile cases concerning John Hinckley, Francisco Duran, and Russell Weston. He has also been a regular consultant to the U.S. Justice Department, the Federal Public Defender Service, and is frequently appointed as an independent court expert.
He previously served as Director of Forensic Services in the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and as CEO of the Whiting Forensic Institute. Dr. Phillips was the Deputy Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), where he served as Director of the Association's Office of Psychiatric Services and Office of Minority and National Affairs, and as Clinical Director of the APA Office of Economic Affairs and Practice Management.
Dr. Phillips is a past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and at the time of his death was a member of the American Medical Association House of Delegates.
He resided in Annapolis, Maryland.