Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Philip Whang is an accomplished Geriatric Psychiatrist with extensive experience leading mental health initiatives for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As the Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, he oversees the delivery of specialized psychiatric care for older veterans, drawing on his deep expertise in the assessment and treatment of complex mental health conditions in the aging population.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Whang is responsible for managing a team of clinical professionals and providing strategic direction for the department's geriatric mental health programs. In this role, he has spearheaded the development of innovative treatment approaches, including the implementation of telehealth services to expand access to care for veterans in remote locations. Under his leadership, the department has achieved significant improvements in patient outcomes and satisfaction levels.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Dr. Whang served as a CBOC physician and Medical Director at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening the organization's mental health services. He has also held leadership positions on the Institutional Review Board, serving as the Chairman from 2014 to 2018 and the Vice Chair from 2012 to 2014.
In addition to his work within the VA system, Dr. Whang is a co-founder of the Asian Dementia Center at Holy Name Medical Center, where he collaborates with healthcare professionals to address the unique mental health needs of the aging Asian-American population. He also holds a Clinical Instructor position at the Yale School of Medicine, where he contributes to the education and training of the next generation of geriatric psychiatry specialists.
Academic Background
Dr. Whang holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy from Rutgers College of Pharmacy. He completed his Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine and his Psychiatry residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School.
Areas of Expertise
- Geriatric psychiatry and mental health care for older adults
- Clinical assessment and treatment of complex mental health conditions in the aging population
- Telehealth and digital health technologies for expanding access to mental health services
- Institutional review board leadership and research oversight
- Collaborative care models for addressing the unique mental health needs of diverse patient populations
Professional Impact
Under Dr. Whang's leadership, the Geriatric Psychiatry department at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has achieved notable improvements in patient outcomes, with a significant reduction in hospital readmission rates and increased patient satisfaction scores. He has also been instrumental in the development and implementation of telehealth initiatives, which have expanded access to specialized mental health services for veterans living in remote areas.
Through his work at the Asian Dementia Center and as a Clinical Instructor at Yale, Dr. Whang has made valuable contributions to the field of geriatric psychiatry, helping to advance research and improve the quality of care for older adults from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience in geriatric psychiatry, proven leadership abilities, and commitment to driving innovation in mental health care, Dr. Philip Whang is a highly respected and influential figure in the field. His focus on delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care has earned him the respect of his colleagues and the trust of the veterans he serves.
