Dr. Patrick Fox, the chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Human Services, is now a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Fox was honored for his “significant contributions to the psychiatric field and his dedication to improving public policy and advancing community mental and behavioral health efforts,” the state agency said.

The distinction is graded on lasting contributions in a broad combination of areas, including administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health, medical activities of social significance, community involvement and clinical excellence, DHS said.

“It’s an honor to have earned this recognition from APA,” Fox said in a statement. “At CDHS, we’re focused on improving the well-being, security and independence of all Coloradans and one of the ways we do that is through improving access to mental and behavioral health services in our state. Greater understanding of the everyday stressors that can contribute to psychiatric needs has never been so important and and I’m pleased to continue helping the people of our state move toward a brighter, more stable future.”

Fox has been the chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Human Services since April 2013. He oversees clinical services at state facilities and guides health policy.

Fox is an assistant Professor with the University of Colorado-School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Associate Program Director of the CU Forensic Psychiatry Training Program.

“Dr. Fox has presented nationally and internationally on a wide range of topics related to law and mental health,” DHS noted in the announcement. “In 2014, he was invited by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine to present on the increasing incarceration rates of persons with a mental health disorder.

“His publications in books and international journals include: duty to warn of potential harm to third parties, the conditional release of insanity acquittees, confidentiality and privilege for forensic examiners, anniversary reactions in Gulf War veterans, and the physiological response to situations of uncontrollable stress in military personnel. Fox served on state panels addressing access to care for and management of youth with psychiatric disabilities, sex offender registration, sexually violent predator laws, jail diversion and civil commitment. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Colorado Psychiatric Society.”