Eric J Serpico

Eric J Serpico serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine. He holds critical leadership roles including Psychiatry Specialty Leader for the School of Medicine, Psychiatry Student Interest Faculty Chair, Mental Health Director for Operation Bushmaster, and Bench to Bedside and Beyond (B3) Module Director for Military Sexual Assault Response Training. His responsibilities extend to Deputy Director of the Operational/Military Leadership Track and Clerkship professor within the Department of Psychiatry.

His educational credentials include a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (2014), B.S. in Biology (Summa cum laude) from Florida Atlantic University (2009), Psychiatry Residency (2015-2018) and Internship (2014-2015) at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and Joint Professional Military Education Phase-1 from Air Command and Staff College (2022).

Dr. Serpico's research concentrates on Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Addiction Treatment, Military Psychiatry, and Psychiatric Education, with operational focus on battlefield mental health systems, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and rapid intervention protocols for military personnel. His work bridges clinical practice with combat readiness requirements.

His seminal 2024 publication on VA/DoD Suicide Risk Clinical Practice Guidelines represents a comprehensive 151-page evidence-based framework adopted across military medical systems, establishing standardized protocols for suicide risk assessment and intervention that integrate military operational constraints with clinical best practices.

Dr. Serpico's distinguished recognition includes:

• U.S. Navy's Early Career Psychiatrist of the Year (2023)
• Two Defense Meritorious Service Medals (2021-2022 deployment and 2023 leadership)
• Harold J. Wain Faculty Mentor Award (2023)
• USUHS Dean’s Commendation for Teaching (2021)
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for Chief Residency

As educator, he has directly mentored over 200 medical students through Operation Bushmaster and served as Associate Program Director for the National Capital Consortium’s Psychiatry Residency overseeing 50+ trainees. His groundbreaking 'Suicide Prevention for Prescribing Providers' training program, developed with the Defense Health Agency, delivers mandatory 4-hour instruction for all DoD prescribing providers through 2029.

He leads the Navy Psychiatry Executive Committee initiatives and directs Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team missions addressing operational crises including suicide clusters and active shooter incidents, while pioneering virtual intensive outpatient programs for military addiction treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.