Following a nationwide search, Steve Martino, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, has been appointed the Chief of Psychology for the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. The VA's Psychology Service includes 49 psychologists, two well-respected predoctoral training programs (West Haven, Newington), clinical and research postdoctoral training programs, and opportunities for research, education and national service.
John Krystal, MD, Robert L. McNeil Jr. Professor of Translational Research, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Department Chair, and Chief of Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital remarked, "We are thrilled that the VA and Yale were successful in recruiting Dr. Martino to lead the VA Connecticut Psychology Service. Dr. Martino is a world-class expert on the treatment of addictions and the training of professionals to work in the area of addiction. Like his predecessor in this role, Dr. Robert Kerns, Dr. Martino brings strong leadership credentials to this role. We thank Dr. John Beauvais for his outstanding service as Interim Chief of Psychology at the VA."
Dr. Martino's research interests include Motivational Interviewing (MI), clinician training strategies, dissemination and implementation science, technology-based treatment approaches, and curriculum evaluation.
As a Principal Investigator, he is currently conducting a multi-site trial testing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency(MIA: STEP) model on improving clinician and client outcomes. Dr. Martino was instrumental in the development of the NIDA/SAMHSA MIA: STEP manual. He also is investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a computer-delivered and nurse-delivered brief intervention within women’s reproductive healthcare settings, along with his co-PI, Kimberly Yonkers, MD.
Following the announcement of this appointment, Rajita Sinha, PhD, Foundations' Fund Professor and Psychology Section Chief in Psychiatry remarked, "Dr. Martino was a stellar candidate in a nationwide search. His exemplary record of clinical expertise, education of peers and students and research in the delivery of empirically validated substance abuse treatments gives him the breadth of experiences and a superb background to lead Psychology at the VA. I look forward to working with him in the Psychology Section and the department."
"Dr. Martino will be a great asset to the service," said Ismene Petrakis, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Chief of Psychiatry at the VA. "He is best known for his nationally- and internationally-acclaimed work in the dissemination of behavioral treatments for substance use disorders and brings extensive administrative, clinical, and education expertise to the position. I look forward to a long and productive partnership with him."
Dr. Martino completed Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships at Yale before joining the Yale Psychiatry Department as an Instructor in 1991. He was appointed Assistant Professor in 1992 and Associate Professor in 1998. He received his Masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology from DePaul University.