Following an international search, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is excited to announce that Dr. Nathan Kolla has accepted the position of Research Chair in Forensic Mental Health Science, a collaboration between Waypoint and the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine dedicated to the study and research of forensic mental health science.
Dr. Kolla is Waypoint’s current Vice-President of Research and Academics and lead for the Waypoint Research Institute. He brings his wealth of forensic mental health experience and knowledge to the role. He is a psychiatrist with a PhD in Neuroscience/Neuroimaging from the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, has completed the U of T Department of Psychiatry Clinician Scientist Program and has a Master of Science in Forensic Mental Health Science (Distinction) from the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.
“It is a great honor to be appointed to this new role. As Vice-President of Research and Academics for the past four years at Waypoint, I have to come to know the incredible research staff and unique opportunities that Waypoint has to offer in terms of forensic research,” said Dr. Kolla. “I look forward to immersing myself in this exciting role and furthering relationships within the University of Toronto and external partners to help establish Waypoint as a center of excellence in forensic mental health research.”
Waypoint has provided forensic mental health care as an integral part of its hospital services since the 1930’s. Forensic services treat patients who have been found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder. Unfortunately these services are often confused with corrections, which can confer a “double stigma” of mental illness and justice system involvement.
”Dr. Kolla has spent many years of his career dedicated to forensic mental health research. His appointment as Research Chair provides him with that continued focus and brings Waypoint an internationally recognized research clinician to this important new collaboration,” notes Carol Lambie, President and CEO. “He is familiar with the work of Waypoint from his current position and we know he is dedicated to furthering our focus on excellence.”
Waypoint and the University of Toronto have had a formal affiliation since 2012 and the Research Chair collaboration continues to strengthen both institutions’ efforts to advance psychiatry, as well as mental health and addictions treatment and care. Nathan further brings his experience as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine to this new role.
“The University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine is thrilled to announce this new appointment. Dr. Kolla is renowned for his research and understanding of forensic mental health science and he has been involved with the University for many years,” says Dr. Benoit Mulsant, the Labatt Family Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. “Waypoint and the University of Toronto have similar goals in growing this important area of mental health care and we are pleased to have Dr. Kolla’s leadership as Research Chair.”
Dr. Kolla will formally transition to the Chair role effective July 19 and Waypoint will begin recruitment for a new Vice-President of Research and Academics.