Sapana R. Patel, PhD

Sapana R. Patel, PhD, is a Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology (in Psychiatry) and Director of the Division of Community Engagement and Implementation Science in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. As a bilingual (Spanish) clinical health psychologist and mental health services researcher, Dr. Patel brings over 20 years of continuous state and federal funding focused on improving service delivery for individuals with serious mental illness. Her funding history includes grants as Principal Investigator (PI) or Multiple PI from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Administration for Community Living, the New York State Office of Mental Health, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Patel utilizes community-based participatory research and implementation science approaches to design, evaluate, and scale evidence-based behavioral health interventions across diverse healthcare settings. Her research examines novel service delivery models, workforce development programs, learning healthcare system approaches, and the development, evaluation, and implementation of digital health interventions. This work targets key clinical areas, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, early psychosis in youth and young adults, and suicide prevention among youth and Veterans.

As Director of Implementation Science at the Center for Practice Innovations (CPI), a nationally recognized intermediary organization supported by the New York State Office of Mental Health, she leads strategy to integrate implementation science approaches across CPI initiatives. Additionally, as Director of the Clinical and Translational Science Research Program and the Dissemination and Implementation Science Program at the Irving Institute, she oversees research aimed at overcoming barriers to translational science and building capacity for dissemination and implementation through campus-wide consultation and mentorship. Dr. Patel also serves as faculty in the Global Mental Health Implementation Science Fellowship and as Associate Director for the Implementation Science and Partnerships Advancing Care and Training in Mental Health Fellowship, where she mentors MD- and PhD-level trainees in mental health services research.