Wilfred Van Gorp – Neuropsychology Services Offer Learning to Students

As a former faculty member, Wilfred Van Gorp, PhD, knows that the department of psychiatry at Columbia University is one of the largest in the United States, with a breadth of research, clinical, and educational resources. Today, the department faculty includes over 400 members with specialization in varied fields. Two faculty members earned recent recognition as Nobel Prize laureates for their work in neuroscience.

Dr. Wilfred Van Gorp directed the neuropsychology program during his tenure at Columbia University. One component of this program is its clinical neuropsychology service, which provides comprehensive assessment of an individual’s current cognitive functioning and prior levels of functioning prior to onset of a disease or symptoms. These evaluations are relevant when a person has a condition, such as Alzheimer’s or a traumatic brain injury, which may impair his or her cognitive functioning. Younger individuals may receive a neuropsychological assessment if they display poor or reduced school functioning, which may be attributable to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or other conditions.

These assessments provide a hands-on learning experience for Columbia University’s medical students and residents. Clinical neuropsychology services are available at Columbia University Medical Center.

Certification from the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology

A prominent neuropsychologist, Wilfred Van Gorp brings nearly three decades of experience to his position as an adjunct faculty member at Argosy University in Chicago. Previously, Dr. Van Gorp held faculty positions at Columbia University, Fordham University, and elsewhere. Wilfred Van Gorp, PhD, maintains board certification from organizations such as the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN).

Obtaining board certification through the ABCN is a rigorous process that involves multiple components. Because clinical neuropsychology is considered a subspecialty of psychology, applicants must first satisfy the degree, training, and licensing requirements of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) before being considered for clinical neuropsychology certification.

Once the ABPP approves the initial application, an ABCN committee reviews the applicant’s credentials. The committee looks for applicants who demonstrate didactic training across eight core knowledge areas, as well as postdoctoral experiential training that follows the Houston Conference guidelines. Applicants who satisfy both of these requirements are invited to take a 100-question written examination and to submit two practice samples for committee review.

The final stage in the certification process is the oral examination. Given twice per year in Chicago, the oral exams test the applicant’s practical and ethical proficiency.

amfAR Promotes HIV Prevention and Treatment in Asia

As a board-certified neuropsychologist, Wilfred van Gorp, PhD, has contributed significantly to scientific literature and has published over 120 peer-reviewed articles. Throughout his career, Dr. Wilfred van Gorp has also supported the work of several scientific organizations, including the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), a nonprofit founded in 1985 that works to combat the AIDS epidemic worldwide through programs aimed at supporting scientific and medical research on the disease.

As part of its mission, amfAR operates the TREAT Asia program, which is focused on expanding research, education, and AIDS training in Asia. Launched in 2001, TREAT Asia consists of a network of clinics, hospitals, and institutions that work cooperatively to improve medical treatment for Asians living with HIV/AIDS.

Since its founding, TREAT Asia has accomplished much through its activities across Asia. In addition to producing detailed reports covering important issues related to HIV prevention and treatment in the region, TREAT Asia has created an HIV/AIDS observational database and launched a project to chart the spread of drug-resistant HIV. Furthermore, TREAT Asia leads a pediatrics initiative, which involves a network of 22 sites working collaboratively to improve treatment for children with the disease. Currently, the initiative is helping more than 4,500 children throughout Asia.