Avram H. Mack, MD

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Avram H. Mack, MD, is an attending physician, co-medical director of the Behavioral Health Integrated Program, and associate chair for Quality and Patient Safety in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of Expertise: Addiction/substance abuse, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

Dr. Mack is a psychiatrist who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry, addictions, forensic psychiatry, medical education and institutional high-reliability/safety acculturation. He came to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia after serving as an attending psychiatrist and faculty member (professor) at the Medical University of South Carolina and then at Georgetown University. Dr. Mack’s clinical practice has included work in residential, inpatient, outpatient, partial, consultation and emergency settings for patients of all age groups.

Currently, Dr. Mack serves as a clinician and co-director of the Behavioral Health Integrated Program in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at CHOP. He and colleagues provide daily integrated or consultative service to the pediatric units and the emergency department at the Hospital and teach Hospital trainees on pediatric psychosomatic medicine. Dr. Mack’s many roles as a leader and administrator led him to take part in many improvement projects at Children’s Hospital, particularly regarding patient safety and high reliability.

Dr. Mack is a leader in psychiatry. His work has been recognized by organizations including the American College of Psychiatrists and the Washington Psychiatric Society. He received the Association for Academic Psychiatry’s Education Award for his work in fostering the patient safety culture in psychiatry and general medical education, an interest which extends to when he was a trainee at Harvard and Columbia and a trustee of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Mack’s research has appeared in publications such as Psychosomatics and FOCUS. He has also edited books on addiction and substance use and held leadership positions in several professional organizations, even leading the history of psychiatry section of the American Psychiatric Association.

Drawing on his large national experience providing court testimony, Dr. Mack also teaches CHOP’s child and adolescent psychiatry fellows about forensic psychiatry. Dr. Mack has provided evidence pertaining to psychiatry and substance use in various settings, including federal and state trial courts, federal and state administrative bodies and others. Having served as the senior medical advisor for the State of Maryland’s Office of Forensic Services, he also has experience in the administration of agency-based forensic evaluation systems for adult and juvenile proceedings.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY

Internship

Psychiatry, Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Residency

Psychiatry, Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Fellowship

Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY

Board Certification

Addiction Medicine – American Board of Preventive Medicine
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatry
Psychiatry – American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

Co-Medical Director, Behavioral Health Integrated Program, Consultation-Liaison Service

Associate Chair for Quality and Patient Safety

Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Publications

Abstracts

2015

Brooks, E., Sharp, A., Mack, A.: Psychiatric conditions among patients with CLABSIs: Indications of opportunities for the reduction of adverse outcomes. (Poster presented at American Association of Medical Colleges, Integrating Quality Meeting, Rosemont, IL, June 12, 2015).

Books

Mack, A.H., Brady, K., Frances, R.J. (Eds.): Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders, 4th Edition, Guilford Press, New York (in press for 2015 publication).

Mack, A.H., Harrington, A.L., Frances, R.J. (Eds.): Clinical Manual on the Treatment of Alcohol and Addictions, American Psychiatric Press, Washington, DC, 2010.

Frances, R., Miller, S.I., Mack, A.H. (Eds.): Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders, 3rd Edition, Guilford Press, New York, 2005.

Mack, A.H., Franklin, J., Frances, R.J. (Eds.): Concise Guide to the Treatment of Alcohol and Addictions, 2nd Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Washington, DC, 2001 and Spanish Translation, Masson, 2003.

Chapters

Frances, R.J., Mack A.H., Lightdale, H.A.: Psychodynamics (Chapter 25) in: Galanter M., Kleber H. (Eds.) American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, 5th Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2015, pp. 365-384.

Mack, A.H.: Forensic Addiction Psychiatry (Chapter 52) in Galanter M., Kleber H. (Eds.) American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, 5th Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2015, pp. 783-804.

McGee, M., Mack, A.H.: Prevention of Adolescent Psychoactive Substance Use (Chapter 11) in Rosner R. (Ed.) Clinical Handbook of Adolescent Addiction, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford (UK), 2013, pp. 125-131.

Mack, A.H.: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Chapter 1) in Talbott J. (Ed.) Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health, Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2013, pp. 1-72.

Mack, A.H.: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Chapter 1) in Talbott J. (Ed.) Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health, Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2012, pp. 1-74.

Mack, A.H.: Substance-Related Disorders (Chapter 6) in Rothschild A. (Ed.) Evidence-Based Guide to Antidepressant Medications, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, 2012, pp. 171-188.

Mack, A.H.: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Chapter 1) in Talbott J. (Ed.) Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health, Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2011, pp. 1-62.

Mack, A.H.: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Chapter 1) in Talbott J. (Ed.) Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health, Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2010, pp. 1-74.

Lightdale, H.A., Mack, A.H., Frances, R.J.: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Chapter 9) in Galanter M., Kleber H. (Eds.) Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Substance Abuse, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2010, pp. 219-248.

Mack, A.H.: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Chapter 1) in Talbott J. (Ed.) Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health, Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2009, pp. 1-66.

Mack, A.H.: Conduct Disorder in Shweder R. (Ed.) The Child: An Encyclopedic Companion, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2009, pp. 203-205.

Frances, R.J., Mack A.H., Lightdale, H.A.: Psychodynamics (Chapter 23) in Galanter M., Kleber H. (Eds.) American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, 4th Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2008, pp. 333-349.

Mack, A.H., Barros, M.: Forensic Psychiatry (Chapter 48) in Galanter M., Kleber H. (Eds.) American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, 4th Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2008, pp. 689-702.

Mack, A.H., Lightdale, H.A.: Substance-Related Disorders and Suicide (Chapter 17) in Simon R.I., Hales R.E. (Eds.) Textbook of Suicide Assessment and Management, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2006, pp. 347-366.

Weinstein, H., Kim, D., Mack, A., Malavade, K., Saraiya, A.: Prevalence and Assessment of Mental Disorders in Correctional Settings (Chapter 3) in Scott C. (Ed.) Handbook of Correctional Mental Health, American Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC, 2005, pp. 45-68.

Mack, A., Kahn, J., Frances, R.: Addictions in the Workplace (Chapter 15) in Frances R., Miller S.I., Mack A. (Eds.) Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders, 3rd Edition, Guilford Press, New York, 2005, pp. 340-353.

Mack, A.H., Frances, R.J., Miller, S.I.: Forensic Issues (Chapter 16) in Frances R., Miller S.I.,  Mack A. (Eds.) Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders, 3rd Edition, Guilford Press, New York, 2005, pp. 354-366.

Mack, A.H., Franklin, J., Frances, R.: Substance Use Disorders (Chapter 4) in Hales R.E., Yudofsky S.C. (Eds.) Essentials of Clinical Psychiatry, 2nd Edition, American Psychiatric Publishing, Arlington, 2004, pp. 115-187.

Frances, R.J., Mack, A.H., Borg, L., Franklin, J.: Psychodynamics (Chapter 27) in Galanter M., Kleber H. (Eds.) American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, 3rd Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Washington, 2004, pp. 327-353.

Billick, S.B., Mack, A.H.: The Utility of Residential Treatment Programs in the Prevention and Management of Juvenile Delinquency (Chapter 7) in Flaherty L. (Ed.) Adolescent Psychiatry, Volume 28, The Analytic Press, Mahwah, 2004, pp. 95-115.

Mack, A.H., Franklin, J., Frances, R.: Substance Use Disorders (Chapter 8) in Hales R.E., Yudofsky S.C. (Eds.) The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry, 4th Edition, American Psychiatric Publishing, Washington, DC, 2003, pp 309-377.

Mack, A.H., Rosecan, J., Frances, R.J.: Drugs: Abuse and Dependence (Chapter 24) in Kahn J.P., Langlieb A. (Eds.) Mental Health and Productivity in the Workplace: A Handbook for Organizations and Clinicians, Jossey-Bass, Baltimore, 2002, pp. 481-502.

Frances, R., Mack, A.H., Borg, L., Franklin, J.: Psychodynamics and the Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders (Chapter 30) in Gabbard G. (Ed.) Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders, 3rd Edition (Volume 1),  American Psychiatric Publishing, Washington, DC, 2001, pp. 829-837.

Frances, A., Jones, C., Mack, A.H., Brown, R.: DSM-IV in Wolman B. (Ed.) The International Encyclopedia of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Psychoanalysis, Henry Holt, New York, 1996, pp. 170-171.

Frances, A., Mack, A.H., Ross, R., First, M.B.: The DSM-IV Classification and Psychopharmacology (Chapter 71) in Bloom F., Kupfer D. (Eds.) Psychopharmacology: The Fourth Generation of Progress: An Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychology, Raven, New York, 1995, pp. 823-828.

Frances, A., Mack, A.H., First, M.B.: DSM-IV and Psychiatric Epidemiology (Chapter 13) in Tsuang M., Tohen M., Zahner G. (Eds.) Textbook of Psychiatric Epidemiology, Wiley-Liss, New York, 1995, pp. 273-279.

Frances, R., Mack, A.H., Frosch, W.: Substance-Related Disorders (Chapter 24) in Sacks M., Sledge W., Warren, C. (Eds.) Core Readings in Psychiatry: An Annotated Guide to the Literature, 2nd Edition, American Psychiatric Press, Washington, 1995, pp. 301-313.

Posters and Presentations

2015

“Childhood Development and Psychopathology” - U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review Conference, Falls Church, VA

“Childhood Development and Psychopathology”- U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review Conference, Crystal City, VA

2014

“Addicted Professionals” – Course at the American College of Psychiatrists Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX

“Adolescent Substance Use” - Adventist Behavioral Health Conference on Adolescent Substance Abuse, Rockville, MD

2013

“Patient Safety in Psychiatry” - Course at Annual Meeting of American Psychiatric Association, San Francisco, CA

“Self-Assessment in Psychiatry”- American College of Psychiatry-Sponsored Event at Annual Meeting of American Psychiatric Association, San Francisco, CA

“Retrofitting for Patient Safety Teaching: Findings from 2 Years of a Multidisciplinary Curriculum and Error Disclosure Simulation Program for Medical Students”- American Association of Medical Colleges, Integrating Quality Meeting, Rosemont, IL

Awards and Honors

2022, Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
2015, Education Award, Association for Academic Psychiatry
2014, Elevation to Fellow of American College of Psychiatrists
2014, Inclusion in Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” list
2014, Inclusion in “Best Doctors”
2014, “Past President Award” Washington Psychiatric Society
2012, Inclusion in “Best Doctors in America” annual list
2012, Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
2009, Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
2006, Junior Faculty Award, Association for Academic Psychiatry
2006, Alcohol Medical Scholars Program
2003, Laughlin Fellow, American College of Psychiatrists
2002, House Staff Research Award, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
2002, Society for Liaison Psychiatry, Best Resident Paper Award, New York, NY
2001, House Staff Research Award, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY
2000, Academic Writing Award, Harvard Longwood Residency Program, Boston, MA
1999, Academic Writing Award, Harvard Longwood Residency Program, Boston, MA
1998, Oskar Diethelm Prize in Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY
1995, Thomas C. Rennie Scholar in Psychiatry, Cornell University. Medical College, New York, NY
1994, High Honors for honors thesis, “The Remedicalization of American Psychiatric Classification,” University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
1994, Lee Award in Medical History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
1990, Coaches Award, Dalton School, New York, NY
 

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial positions

2011-Present, Editorial Board, Focus: Journal of Lifelong Learning

2009-2013, Editor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in “Yearbook of Psychiatry”

Ad Hoc Reviewerships

2010-Present, Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

2007-Present, Academic Psychiatry

2007-Present, Journal of Psychiatric Practice

2005-Present, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Academic and Institutional committees

2015-Present, Member, CHOP Quality Improvement Committee, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2015-Present, Member, DCAPBS Quality Improvement Committee, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2015-Present, Member, Leadership Team, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2015-Present, Member, Clinical Directors Team, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2015-Present, Member, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (ECMS), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2013-2015, Co-Chair, Second Victim Response Team, Co-Chair Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

2013-2015, Member, Communications Workgroup (“Patient Experience” program) Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

2013-2015, Co-Chair, Center for Patient Safety Education Division (CPSED) Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

2013-2015, Member, Graduate Medical Education Committee, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

2012-2015, Chair and Member, Patient Safety First Award Committee, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

2010-2015, Member, Center for Patient Safety, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

2009-2015, Member, Committee on Medical Education, Georgetown University School of Medicine

2005-2015, Member, Clerkship Directors Sub-Committee, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

International

2014-2015, U.S. Agency for International Development, Middle East Regional Cooperation Program, Reviewer

National

2013-2015, Southern Psychiatric Association, Member

2006-Present, American College of Psychiatrists, Member

- (Member Bylaws Committee, 2008-2013; Member, PRITE and Child PRITE Editorial Boards, 2011-2014)

2006-Present, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc., Examiner for various oral examination sessions

2005-Present, Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry, Member

2003-2014, American Academy of Psychiatry and Law (Member)

- (Member, Early Career Development Committee, 2006-2014)

2000-Present, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Member

1999-Present, American Psychiatric Association, Member