Nodes

Office of Clinical Research & Behavioral Health Research Division

The University of North Texas Health Science Center and the John Peter Smith (JPS) Health Network (UNTHSC/JPS) utilize JPS Health Network sites as primary clinical sites for TX-YDSRN. The UNT Health node covers a region of north central Texas.

The JPS healthcare system’s Behavioral Health Research Division has been recognized for excellence in performance on several past and current clinical trials. The Behavioral Health group at JPS provides a full continuum of behavioral health services, including inpatient and outpatient services.

David Farmer, Ph.D.

David Farmer, PhD

Node Lead

David Farmer, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Interprofessional Practice and Behavioral Health for the UNT Health Clinical Practice Group, which integrates behavioral health into UNT Health’s primary care clinics. Dr. Farmer, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, provides direct patient care at the UNT Health Family Medicine clinic. As a faculty member with the Medical City Fort Worth/UNT Health Family Medicine Residency, Dr. Farmer instructs residents in the integration of behavioral health in primary care. An Associate Professor of Medical Education and Health Systems Science at UNT Health’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Farmer works with medical students in development and application of clinical interviewing skills, emotional intelligence, leadership, and the integration of behavioral health in wellness and patient care.

Dr. Farmer served as the Founding Director of UNT Health’s Department of Interprofessional Education and Practice, helping to create a culture of interprofessional collaboration across UNT Health’s health professions training programs. His research interests have focused on interprofessional collaboration in health care, psychological well-being, and the integration of behavioral health in primary care.

Cindy Claassen, Ph.D.

Cindy Claassen, PhD

Node Co-Lead

Cindy Claassen, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and Director of the JPS Behavioral Health Service Psychology, Research and Education Divisions. Dr. Claassen also acts as an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern and UNT Health. She has provided clinical care and administrative oversight for services to low income mentally challenged patients across the age span in the DFW area for over 20 years.

Dr. Claassen has an extensive background in suicide research and formerly served as Co-Lead on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Data and Surveillance Task force (DSTF). One aim of her research is to better identify and characterize suicide risk. Dr. Claassen also seeks to develop more effective interventions to prevent mood dysregulated youth from experiencing chronic disability and repeated suicidal acts.

Node Team
Aamana Burney
John Scott
Leslie Proch
Summer Ladd
Vladyslav Shelashskyi
William Black