EDUCATIONAL RECORD
B.A. - Psychology, Oakwood College, Huntsville AL, 1973-1977
M.A. - Clinical Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1977-1981
Ph.D. - Clinical Psychology, The Ohio State University, 7/81-12/83
Internship - University of California, Irvine Counseling Center, 1983-1984
Fellowship - Grosse Pointe Psychological Center/Wayne State University Department of Family Medicine, 1984-1986
Certificate of Faculty Development in Graduate Medical Residency Education - Duke University Department of Community and Family Medicine, 1996-1997
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
My career began as Coordinator of Training at SMSU Counseling and Testing Center. I designed the Behavioral Medicine curricula at Des Moines General Hospital and Medical Services SouthRidge in Iowa, and at St. Peter Family Practice and Providence St. Peter Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in Olympia, WA. I also have been a Peer Counselor at NAMI Thurston/Mason in Lacey, WA.
Mentored by Raymond Winbush, Ph.D., Linda James Myers, Ph.D., Andrew Schwebel, Ph.D., and W. Bruce Walsh, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor, I was given a unique opportunity to train under and become inspired by Joseph White, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor Emeritus, who many consider to be the "Godfather of Black & Ethnic Psychology" per "creating a paradigm shift" in the profession and "revolutionizing the field of psychology" (1970). And with Joe's encouragement, I was "stretched" by Aaron Rutledge, Ph.D., the psychologist recognized for "laying the foundation" for the profession of AAMFT (1952), and for pioneering one of the first postdoctorate fellowships in "Clinical, Family and Health Psychology" within OBGyn and Family Medicine residencies (1973-1987), which evolved from his earlier interprofessional training programs (1953-1973). Other leaders who protected time to invest in me or who expanded my worldview included James Jones, Ph.D., Michael Gonzales, Ph.D., Robert Guthrie, Ph.D., Edgar Epps, Ph.D., Marshall Field IV Professor of Urban Education (& Race/Ethnic Relations) Emeritus, Frank Hale, Jr., Ph.D., D.Hum., L.H.D., LL.D., OSU Vice Provost, Professor Emeritus and Distinguished University Representative/Consultant, and Heesoon Jun, Ph.D. As a result of the guidance I received, I became a Clinical, Family and Health Psychologist, and Marital/Family Therapist. In addition to serving as an AAMFT Conference Abstract Reviewer, I have served as a federal advisor and NIH Public Scientific Reviewer for the Centers for Intervention Development and Applied Research, National Institute of Mental Health.
Following a seven year medical leave, the UNR faculty gave me the opportunity to serve on this team, and to redesign our behavioral science longitudinal and R3 "psychiatry" (medical-health psychology and family systems medicine) block rotational curricula. This has included developing teaching strategies to "stretch" the clinical skills of our residents in order to prepare them to meet the standards of ACGME, to collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals (e.g., clinicians, therapists, teachers, clergy) and to manage "complex human relationships," including patients and family members diagnosed with Axis I and II disorders, chronic illnesses and debilitating diseases. My goal has been not only to identify ways to help motivate learners to understand the biopsychosocial, family systems and multicultural aspects of continuity care (within an optimal learning and learner-driven environment), but also to develop the skills necessary to diagnose personality and relationship strengths, in addition to unrealized potential, utilizing their own patients as the "textbook." Moreover, I have been invested in promoting university citizenship and public scholarship via precepting MSIs and MSIIs at the UNSoM's monthly General, Women's and Pediatrics Student Outreach Clinics. And I am committed to uncovering strategies to keep our residents (and team/support staff) "connected" to love ones and each other during graduate medical residency education, as well as throughout an anticipated 30-40 year career.
PERSONAL
I was born and raised in SE San Diego, CA, and attended San Diego Christian School and the San Diego Academy. With many distractions, I struggled through Horace Mann Junior and Morse High Schools prior to relocating to Huntsville, AL, for undergraduate study, where, in addition to the attendance of my mother, siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins, my paternal step grandmother and great uncle served as faculty members. I have an older brother, a younger sister and a large extended family. I enjoy the early mornings in Reno, daily exercise and movies on the big screen, followed by a "Cold Stone."
DStokes@Medicine.Nevada.edu
