KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) has been awarded a five-year, $2.48 million grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services
Administration.
The funding, which is the largest federal grant ever awarded to WMed, was the result of a collaborative effort between the medical school’s pediatric residency program and the divisions of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Psychology.
The grant was one of only 24 awarded by HRSA in what was a highly competitive process, said Dilip R. Patel, MD, MBA, MPH, chair of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
“For us to land this, it’s a big deal,” Dr. Patel said. “It’s important to acknowledge everyone who participated and collaborated in the process with us. Our success in landing this award is really a true reflection of the strength of efforts of pediatric psychology and general pediatrics faculty, as well as the existing training infrastructure of our residency program and WMed as a whole.”
The funding from HRSA is part of the Primary Care Training and Enhancement – Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health (PCTE-RTMB) program.
The federal project seeks to enhance training for primary care residents in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, treatment, and referral of services for
mental and behavioral health conditions for pediatrics, adolescent, young adult, and other patient populations who are at-risk or have experienced abuse, trauma, or mental health and/or substance use disorders, including those related to gun violence.
The five-year grant runs from December 31, 2022, through September 29, 2027.
Additionally, the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine will partner with various community-based organizations with experience in resiliency,
trauma-informed care, treatment, assessment, and psychiatry services.
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