Amir A Afkhami, MD, PhD, MA, MPhil
Amir A. Afkhami is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and of Global Health
- Phone: (202) 741-2900
- Fax: (202) 741-2891
- Email: amiafkh@gwu.edu
An expert in psychiatry and the modern history of disease and medicine, much of Dr. Afkhami's current work focuses on psychiatric education, the mental health consequences of conflict and on strengthening the mental health infrastructure, especially in the Middle East. Bridging the worlds of patient care and global public health delivery, Dr. Afkhami planned and helped with the implementation of the State Department funded Iraq Mental Health Initiative which seeks to rebuild Iraq's mental health delivery system. Dr. Afkhami holds a joint appointment in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences at GW's medical school where he is the Associate Director of Residency Training. Prior to joining GW in 2007, he was a lecturer in the global history of public health at Yale University. He has also been an advisor to the U.S. State Department, the U.S. military, and the World Bank on issues pertaining to public health and mental health in the Middle East, and to the Government in Iraq. Among his awards are the Shyrock Medal, the Pfizer Prize in the History of Medicine, and the Pressman-Burroughs Wellcome Award from the American Association for the History of Medicine. A true internationalist, Dr. Afkhami was born in Iran, raised in the south of France and immigrated to the United States when he was in high school. He speaks French, English and Persian fluently, and has a working knowledge of Kurdish and Arabic.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Biochemistry and History), University of Virginia, 1995 Master of Arts (History), Yale University, 1997 Master of Arts (History of Medicine and Science), Yale University, 1998 Master of Philosophy (History), Yale University, 1998 Doctor of Philosophy (History), Yale University, 2003 Doctor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2003 Internship (Internal Medicine), Yale New Haven Hospital, 2003-04 Residency (Psychiatry), New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell Campus, 2004-07 Diplomat of the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Teaching
PubH 105: Plagues and Peoples: A History of Public Health and Epidemic Diseases, Department of Global Health PubH 332: Regional Approaches to Global Health and its Determinants, Department of Global Health PubH 322: Comparative Global Health Systems, Department of Global Health
Research
Dr. Afkhami's research interests include the history of medicine and public health, global public health policy, and international psychiatry, especially in regions experiencing conflict. Current projects involve the mental health infrastructure in conflict zones; post-traumatic stress disorder among victims of chemical attacks; and depression among military personnel posted in combat zones.
Community Service
Dr. Afkhami is a board member of the Childhood Care and Sponsorship Organization in Iraq, and is active in the Foundation for the Children of Iran.