Carlos J. Carrera, MD Honored for Excellence in Mental Health Services
Dr. Carlos Carrera is an expert on medical management and the administration of mental health services

PHOENIX, AZ, August 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Carlos J. Carrera, MD, Associate Chief of Staff for the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service of the Phoenix VA Health Care System, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in mental health services.

Dr. Carrera has spent more than two decades refining his expertise in two related areas: the interface of mental health and addictions, and the medical management and administration of mental health services. As an associate chief of staff for the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, he plans, develops, coordinates, directs and evaluates the operational aspects of a large integrated mental health program and community-based outpatient clinics. He also provides a variety of mental health services to both veterans and active military personnel. These include outpatient, inpatient, residential rehabilitation, and consultative services.

Dr. Carrera has been a clinical assistant professor in psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Campus since 2008. His numerous accomplishments over the years include having been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in Brazil. In recent years, Dr. Carrera has been appointed as an examiner for the Malcolm Balridge National Quality Award twice, and has also served as an examiner for the Carey Quality Award. He attributes his success to having a long-term vision to provide the best quality care to his patients and to continuously pursuing personal and professional improvement.

Dr. Carrera received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating cum laude. He went on to earn a Master of Science from the same institute of higher education and an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine. He fulfilled his internship requirements at Hospital De Damas and his residency at Boston University Medical Center, choosing psychiatry as his profession primarily because of his fascination with the human brain and behavior, but also because he grew up with a sister who is disabled. Dr. Carrera is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a lifetime member of the Fulbright Association, as well as an active member of the Arizona Psychiatric Society, the American College of Physician Executives, the American Medical Association and ACHE. He also supports the Office of HIV Psychiatry, a program of the American Psychiatric Association.

When asked to identify the most gratifying aspect of his career, Dr. Carrera replied that receiving training in ecological science and oceanography was instrumental in helping him understand systems and how they all connect; this has proved invaluable to him in providing health care at both individual and population levels.

For more information about Phoenix VA Health Care System, visit http://www.phoenix.va.gov.

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