Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Mental Health System
Department and Center Events
Department of Mental Health Wednesday Seminar Series
Co-sponsored with the Alacrity Center for Health and Longevity in Mental Illness
Debra Pinals, MD
Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Mental Health System
12:15 – 1:00 PM | Student/speaker continuing discussion from 1 – 1:20pm
Location: Hampton House, 9th floor, Room 901 | In person attendance strongly encouraged. | Real-time virtual attendance via zoom is possible for off-campus attendees via link
About the Speaker
DEBRA A. PINALS, M.D. is the Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Director of the Program in Psychiatry, Law, & Ethics and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School and Clinical Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan Law School. Dr. Pinals roles have included serving as the Assistant Commissioner of Forensic Services as well as the Interim State Medical Director for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. She has worked in outpatient, inpatient settings, forensic and correctional facilities, emergency rooms and court clinics, has received public service awards and has been an expert witness in many cases. She is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine. During her career she has consulted on complex systems cases for people with mental illness, substance use disorder, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities who are receiving treatment or support in various places- such as in state hospitals, community and justice and forensic settings. She teaches and publishes extensively and has led and consulted on numerous federal grants including those related to opioids, juvenile justice, and behavioral health and justice partnerships. Recently she has been a lead subject matter expert on issues pertaining to competence to stand trial for the SAMHSA GAINS Center. She is a past President of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, current Chair of the American Psychiatric Association Council on Psychiatry and the Law, and current Chair of the Medical Directors Division and past Chair of the Forensic Division for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD).