Dr. Matthew Siegel, who has positioned MBH as a leader in treating those impacted by autism and developmental disorders, will provide clinical guidance on research, services and policy at the federal level.
Portland, ME - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced the selection of a physician leader from Maine Behavioral Healthcare to serve on the board of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, overseeing the federal government’s work in support of those impacted by autism spectrum disorders.
Dr. Matthew Siegel, MD, currently vice president of medical affairs, Autism and Developmental Disorders Service at Maine Behavioral Healthcare, is one of 22 individuals from across the country named to serve on the coordinating committee, which formulates advice and recommendations for the HHS secretary on matters related to autism research, services, and policy.
“This appointment recognizes Dr. Siegel’s tremendous contributions in research and treatment for individuals with autism and developmental disorders, and we are fortunate to have his expertise here at Maine Behavioral Healthcare,” said Kelly Barton, president of MBH. “Dr. Siegel’s work is transforming the lives of people here in Maine and across the country for the better.”
Dr. Siegel’s work at MBH includes his role developing the Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders at MBH, which is slated to move into a new, state-of-art facility later this summer following a successful fundraising campaign.
An associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Siegel is also a faculty scientist at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. He attended Amherst College, Stanford Medical School and trained at Brown University in child psychiatry, psychiatry, and pediatrics. He is also a principal investigator of the Autism and Developmental Disorders Inpatient Research Collaborative, a network of specialized child psychiatry units performing studies of children severely affected by autism and intellectual disability. In addition to his new role with the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, he serves on the Autism and Intellectual Disability Committee of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and is a co-author of the Academy’s Practice Parameter on the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to engage with our partners at the federal level,” said Dr. Siegel of his new appointment. “Supporting those with autism and related disorders requires a comprehensive approach, and this committee provides key guidance for the focus of research and services across the country.”
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About Maine Behavioral Healthcare
Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) is a not-for-profit organization serving more than 20,000 children, adolescents and adults at over 30 locations throughout southern, western, and mid-coast Maine, providing a continuum of coordinated mental healthcare from outpatient community offices to inpatient acute care at Spring Harbor Hospital. Learn more at www.mainebehavioralhealthcare.org.
About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,700 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With close to 22,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. It includes Franklin Memorial Hospital/Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, LincolnHealth in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, Maine Behavioral Healthcare in South Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., Mid Coast-Parkview Health in Brunswick, NorDx in Scarborough, Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County Hospital in Rockport and Belfast, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford, Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook and Stephens Memorial Hospital/Western Maine Health Care in Norway. MaineHealth Affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville, New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland.