Kelly Alanis-Hirsch, PhD

Academic Interests

I am interested in the availability and accessibility of evidence-based practices for those with co-occurring substance use disorders and serious mental illness, particularly medications to support addiction recovery. My research interests also include mental health and primary care integration for persons with multiple morbidities—serious mental illness, substance abuse, and chronic physical illness. I hope to ground my work in the implementation of processes and policies that promote care coordination for this population.

Current Research Projects

I am currently working with Jeffrey Swanson, PhD, Marvin Swartz, MD, and Allison Robertson, PhD, on studies of (1) firearms policy and mental health (2) psychiatric advance directives, and (3) the use of medications to assist in addiction recovery for persons with co-occurring substance abuse and serious mental illness.

Education

2011 Ph.D., Educational Psychology (emphasis, Quantitative Methods), The University of Texas at Austin

2004 MA, Educational Psychology (emphasis, Program Evaluation), The University of Texas at Austin

1998 BA, Psychology, Texas State University

Awards and Honor Societies

University of Colorado Fellowship
University of Colorado Enrollment Enhancement Fellowship
National Center for Educational Statistics seminar, National Assessment of Educational Progress
Graduate Student Research Project externship, Association of American Medical Colleges
Graduation summa cum laude; Texas State University, 1998
Outstanding Undergraduate in the School of Liberal Arts
Outstanding Senior in Psychology
Liberal Arts Award for Academic Excellence, 1997 and 1998 (GPA 4.0)
William James Scholarship
English Writing Center Award for research paper category, 1998
Alpha Chi National Honor Society
Golden Key National Honor Society
Psi Chi National Honor Society
Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society
AMERSA 36th National Conference travel award
AMERSA 36th National Conference workshop selectee

Previous Employment (selected)

2011 – 2014 Treatment Research Institute, The Policy Center, Project Coordinator

2004 – 2006 The University of Texas at Austin, Project Manager, Graduate Research Assistant: Addiction Research Institute; Graduate Research Assistant: Center for Social Work Research; Graduate Research Assistant: Department of Educational Psychology; Graduate Research Assistant: Measurement and Evaluation Center

2000 – 2002 CRC Health Group, dba Starlite Recovery Center; Coordinator of Clinical Information

1999 – 2000 University of Colorado, Boulder, School of Education; Graduate Research Assistant

1998 – 1999 Texas State University; Co-instructor: Department of Psychology, (Statistics for Behavioral Sciences); Teaching assistant: Department of Psychology (statistics, research methods)

Publications and Reports

Ford, J., Croff, R., Chalk, M., Alanis-Hirsch, K., Johnson, K., Schmidt, L., McCarty, D. (2014). Medication Research Partnership: Implementing and sustaining the use of medication to support recovery (under review).

Curtis B., Alanis-Hirsch, K., Kaynak, O., McLellan, A. T., Cacciola, J., & Meyers, K. (2014). Using web searches to track interest in synthetic marijuana (aka “herbal incense”). Drug and Alcohol Review (in press).

McLellan, A. T., Abraham, A., McLoyd, K., Alanis-Hirsch, K., & Woodworth, A. (2014). Recovery Reorientation of the English Drug Treatment System: Review of Progress and Recommendations. Presented to Public Health England, April 7, 2014.

McCarty, D., Croff, R., Chalk, M., & Alanis-Hirsch, K. (2013). Family and Patient Education on Using Medication to Support Recovery. The Bridge: Linking Science and Service, 3(2). Available at http://www.attcnetwork.org/find/news/attcnews/epubs/v3i2_article05.asp

Chalk, M., Alanis-Hirsch, K., Woodworth, A., Mericle, A., Curtis, B., McLoyd, K. (2013). Report of commercial health plan medication coverage and benefits survey (contract with the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Avisa Group). 221 pps.

Chalk, M., Alanis-Hirsch, K., Woodworth, A., Kemp, J., & McLellan, A. T. (2013). FDA approved medications for the treatment of opiate dependence: Literature reviews on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. (contract with the American Society of Addiction Medicine). 221 pps. Available at http://www.asam.org/docs/advocacy/Implications-for-Opioid-Addiction-Treatment

Alanis-Hirsch, K. (2012). Episodes of care: A review of the literature. (contract with OptumHealth). 31 pps.

Alanis, K. (2014). Revision of an existing survey: Using a mixed methodology to evaluate survey item quality (in progress).

Alanis, K. (2014). The Brief Assessment of Self in Context (BASIC): A new instrument for substance use disorder treatment professionals (in progress).

Alanis, K. (2004). Evaluating technology and instruction: Literature review update. Report prepared for the Measurement and Evaluation Center of The University of Texas at Austin.

Ginsburg, H. J., Raffeld, P., Alanis, K. L., & Boyce, A. S. (2006). Comparing attitudes about legal sanctions and teratogenic effects for cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine: A randomized, independent samples design. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 1(4).

Spence, R.T., Alanis, K.L., Steinley-Bumgarner, M. (October, 2005). Feedback for quality improvement, NorthSTAR: Snapshots to assist organizational and clinical process development. (contract ID #04-0315). 136 pps.

Ferguson, M., Schwab, A. J., DiNitto, D., Neuroth, H., Jinseok, K., Alanis, K. L. (February, 2004). Local welfare innovation projects in Texas: Implementation, performance, and client outcomes. 256 pps.

Ferguson, M., Schwab, A. J., Neuroth, H., Jinseok, K., Alanis, K. L. (June, 2004). Local welfare innovation projects in Texas: Implementation, performance, and client outcomes. 175 pps.

Jurica B., Alanis, K., Ogletree, S. (2002). Sex differences related to video arcade game behavior. Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research, 7(3), 145-148. [used for demonstration in Spatz, D. & Kardas, E.P. (2008). Research methods in psychology: Ideas, techniques, and reports. McGraw-Hill: Boston. (Chs. 5 and 6)]

 

Contact Information
Kelly Alanis-Hirsch, PhD
NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow
Services Effectiveness Research Program
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Duke University School of Medicine
DUMC Box 3071
Durham, NC 27710
919-682-8394 x. 4
kelly.alanis-hirsch@duke.edu