Alison Swigart

Alison Swigart is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Penn State College of Medicine. She works within the Division of Adult Inpatient Services at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and is affiliated with the Penn State Neuroscience Institute.

Dr. Swigart completed her medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2009, followed by a Psychiatry residency at Brown University (Butler Hospital) from 2009 to 2013. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 2013.

Her primary clinical interest focuses on providing care for individuals with psychotic disorders. She serves as the psychiatrist for CAPSTONE, a coordinated specialty care clinic for those experiencing their first episode of psychosis at the Division St. Clinic of Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in Harrisburg, PA. Her research spans several critical areas in mental health, including the intersection of mental illness with physical health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, voting rights for psychiatric patients, and specialized treatment approaches for conditions like borderline personality disorder.

Dr. Swigart's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on understanding and addressing the complex healthcare needs of individuals with mental illness, particularly examining comorbid physical health conditions and systemic barriers to care. Her work often involves collaborative research with colleagues across multiple disciplines.

• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021)
• Department of Psychiatry Teacher of the Year Award (2019)

As Program Director for the Public and Community Psychiatry Fellowship at Penn State College of Medicine, Dr. Swigart plays a significant role in training the next generation of psychiatrists. She is actively involved in teaching and supervision for the General Psychiatry Residency program, providing clinical experiences in community psychiatry and longitudinal care of patients with psychotic disorders. Her commitment to education has been recognized with multiple teaching awards.