Department of Psychiatry : University of Vermont

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Department of Psychiatry

Bio for John Helzer, M.D.

John Helzer, M.D.

Professor Emeritus
Department of Psychiatry

Contact Information

E-mail: John.Helzer@uvm.edu
Office Location: Health Behavior Research Center, University Health Center, 1 South Prospect St, Old Hall 3138, Burlington, VT

Education

1959-1962 Chadron State College, Chadron Nebraska
1962-1963 The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
1963-1967 The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah. MD Degree
1967-1968 Rotating Intern, Barnes and Allied Hospitals, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1968-1971 Resident in Psychiatry Barnes, Renard and Affiliated Hospitals, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1968-1971 Assistant and Trainee (NIMH) in Psychiatry
1971-1972 Chief Resident in Psychiatry Barnes and Renard Hospitals, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Academic Appointments

1972-1974 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (part-time), Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
1974-1976 Instructor in Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1976-1980 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1980-1983 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1980-1983 Associate Professor of Psychiatry (with tenure), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1983-1989 Professor of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1989-1995 Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
1989-present Member, Graduate College Faculty, University of Vermont
1989-present Tenured Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont (Emeritus from 2009-present)

Research Grants

   Principal Investigator, Enhancing Brief Intervention of Primary Care Physicians. (NIH/NIAAA 1 R01 AA11954-O1A1, $2,466,078), 1999-2004
   Principal Investigator, A Randomized Controlled Trial of Therapeutic IVR to Enhance CBT Coping Skills Training in Alcohol Dependence. (UVM/POR grant, $17,092), 2002-2003
   Co-Investigator, Chronic Pain TIVR to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse. (PI: M. Naylor)(NIH/NIDA 1 R21 DA016115-01, $303,000), 2003-2004
   Principal Investigator, Therapeutic IVR to Augment CBT and Prevent Relapse in IOP Mental Health Treatment (NIH/NIMH) In Review
   Co-Investigator, TIVR to Enhance Pain Coping Skills in Osteoarthritis. (PI: M. Naylor) (NIH/NIAMS 1 R01 AR052131-01A1, $2,460,329), 10/1/05-9/30/10.
   Co-Investigator, Brief Intervention for Alcohol Problems in the Emergency Department (PI: J. Searles) (NIH/NIAAA) In Review
   Project Director, Vietnam Veterans Three Years Later (NIDA 3AC 80), 1974-1975
   Principal Investigator, The Natural History of Alcoholism in Treated and Population Samples, in Neurobiology, Genetics, Epidemiology and Alcoholism (NIAAA-03539, 1977-1985
   Co-Investigator, Validity of the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) Contract No. NIMHDB 790017), 1979-1980
   Director of Psychiatric Residency Training, Psychiatry Basic Residency (NIMH-16038), 1979-1983
   Principal Investigator, The Nature and Extent of Moderate Drinking in Ex-Alcoholics (NIAAA-03852), 1979-1985
   Co-Principal Investigator, Epidemiologic Catchment Area – Washington University (NIMH-17104), 1983-1986
   Member, Executive Committee, Psychiatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics (NIMH-17104), 1983-1986
   Investigator, MacArthur Foundation Network 3 – Risk and Protective Factors in the Major Mental Disorders (St. Louis Node), 1983-1985
   Investigator, NIMH DIS Computer Diagnosis: Epidemiologic Applications (NIMH-39120),in collaboration with Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisonsin-Madson, 1984-1986
   Investigator, Substance Abuse With or Without Antisocial Precursors (NIDA-04001), 1986-1989
   Research Scientist Development Award (NIMH-00617), 1986-1991 (Relinquished in 7/89 to become Chair of Psychiatry at University of VT)
   Principal Investigator, Adult Assessment Unit and Registry, in Epidemiological, Genetics and Family Study (NIMH-31302), 1986-1991 (Relinquished in 7/89 to become Chair of Psychiatry at University of VT)
   Component Director, Psychobiological Studies of Alcohol Tolerant Drivers(NIAAA 5-P01-AA07203), 1990-1995
   Principal Investigator, Consortium agreement with the Vermont Alcohol Research Center: Daily Self-Reported Drinking: Longitudinal patterns (NIAAA R01-AA-09684-01A2), 1996-1999
   Principal Investigator, Developing an Empirical Foundation for Clinical Decision-Making in Outpatient Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) : A Feasibility Study. (Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, $7,500), 1998-2000
   Principal Investigator, Development of a Web-Based Brief Intervention Training Package forPrimary Care Providers (Vermont Area Health Education Center, $7,500), 2000-2001
   Co-Principal Investigator, Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response as a Tool to Enhance the Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain. Patient Oriented Research (POR) Grant (Fletcher Allen Health Care, $14,800), 2000-2001
   Principal Investigator, IVR for Automated Alcohol Screening & BI in Primary Care (NIH/NIAAA R21 AA015777, $346,500), 1/1/07-12/31/09.
   Primary Investigator Therapeutic IVR to Augment CBT in Alcohol Dependence (R01 AA14270, $2,560,678) 8/05/04-7/31/09.
   Principal Investigator, The Natural History of Alcoholism in Treated and Population Samples, in Neurobiology, Genetics, Epidemiology and Alcoholism (NIAAA-03539, 1977-1985)
   Principal Investigator, Therapeutic IVR to Augment CBT in Alcohol Dependence. (NIH/NIAAA 1 R01 AA14270, $2,560,678), 8/05/04-7/31/09
   Co-Investigator, TIVR to Enhance Pain Coping Skills in Osteoarthritis. (PI: M. Naylor) (NIH/NIAMS 1 R01 AR052131-01A1, $2,460,329), 10/1/05-9/31/10.
   Principal Investigator, IVR for Automated Alcohol Screening & BI in Primary Care (NIH/NIAAA 1 R21 AA015777, $346,500) 1/1/07-12/31/09.
   Co-Principal Investigator, Automated Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in Primary Care Using IVR (PI: G. Rose) (NIH/NIAAA 1 R01 AA018650, $3,268,796), 9/10/10-8/31/15
   Co-Investigator, Attempts to Stop/Reduce Marijuana Among Dependent Users (PI: J. Hughes) (NIH/NIDA 1 R01 DA024691, $342,123), 09/30/08-08/31/12
   Co-Investigator, Natural History of Attempts to Stop Smoking (PI: J. Hughes) (NIH/NIDA 1 R01 DA015089, $457,375), 09/15/08-06/30/11

Awards and Honors

1959 University of Nebraska Regents Scholarship
1961-1962 The Chemical Rubber Company Physics Achievement Award
1961 Blue Key National Honorary Fraternity
1962 Alpha Phi Sigma (Honorary Scholastic Society for Small Colleges)
1962 Pi Kappa Delta National Debate Fraternity
1983 Member, MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Risk and Protective Factors in the Major Mental Disorders
July 1985 Jubilee Lecturer and Visiting Professor, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
1986-1991 Research Scientist Development Award (NIMH)
1987-1988 Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, Member of Task Force for Study on Prevention and treatment of Alcohol-Related Problems: An Update on Research Opportunities
1987-1988 Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, Member of Treatment Panel for Study of Alcohol-Related Problems
June 10 1988 John Lyons Memorial Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Denver, Colorado
March 1989 Visiting Professor, Consortium Educational Program, The University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut
1993 Exemplary Psychiatrist Award, Alliance for Mentally Ill (Vermont Chapter)
December 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award, Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska
1996 Listed in Best Doctors in America
1999-2000 President, American Psychopathological Association
2000 Hamilton Award, American Psychopathological Association
May 2001 Keynote Speaker, Australian/New Zealand Royal College of Psychiatrists
September 2003 Visiting Professor, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
March 2004 Eli Robins Memorial Lecture, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Listed in ISI Highly Cited Researchers
September 2005 Centennial Lecturer, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Listed in Who's Who and Who's Who in Medical Sciences Education
2006 Named University Scholar, University of Vermont
2007 Zubin Award, American Psychopathological Association

Publications

Helzer JE, Winokur G: A family interview study of male manic depressives. Arch Gen Psychiatry 31:73-77, 1974.

Robins LN, Helzer JE, Davis DH: Narcotic use in Southeast Asia and afterward: An interview study of 898 Vietnam returnees. Arch Gen Psychiatry 32:955-961, 1975.

Helzer JE: Bipolar affective disorder in black and white males: A comparison of symptoms and familial illness. Arch Gen Psychiatry 32:1140-1143, 1975.

Helzer JE, Robins LN, Davis DH: Antecedents of narcotic use and addiction in soldiers, adolescents, patient, and others. In Problems of Drug Dependence, 1975, Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual Scientific Meeting, Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, National Academy of Sciences Printing Office, Washington, DC, May 1975.

Helzer JE, Robins LN, Davis DH: Antecedents of narcotic use and addiction: A study of 898 Vietnam veterans. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 1:183-190, 1976.

To view more of Dr. Helzer's publications, please visit PubMed.