Residents are selected on the basis of their prior experience, demonstrated knowledge, aptitude for neuropsychology, and goodness of fit between interests and the training we offer. 

Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology seeks to cultivate a diverse neuropsychology community by meeting the training needs of residents of diverse backgrounds, and increase awareness of diversity by offering clinical, educational, and research experience involving a diverse faculty, rehabilitation hospital staff, and patient population. Those applicants who are members of populations that are under-represented are encouraged to identify themselves as such. Trainees are covered by Detroit Medical Center policies.

Policy HR.EHP.01

"Tenet’s success requires that the best people choose to work with us. Inclusive practices ensure we are able to attract and retain the best people. Tenet believes in the principles behind the Equal Employment Opportunity and its related policies and regulation. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Tenet are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship." 

"The Tenet Corporation is also aware of the value of team members communicating diverse viewpoints in contributing to patient care, as described in the Code of Conduct and Careers websites"

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an APA or CPA accredited program in clinical or counseling psychology
• Completion of an APA or CPA approved internship
• Training and experience in neuropsychology

Interviews

Apply Online

• A statement of interest
• APPCN Verification of Completion of Doctorate Form
• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts
• Copies of two neuropsychological reports
• Three letters of recommendation

Department contact
Robin Hanks, Ph.D., ABCN 
Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology
Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan 
261 Mack Avenue 
Detroit, MI. 48201
[email protected]

Resident Matching Program

As a member of APPCN we are participating in the Resident Matching Program. If you have not already done so, you must register for the program. Details are available from APPCN. Up-to-date information about the application process, including application deadline, residency start date, number of clinical neuropsychology residency positions, and number of clinical neuropsychology openings, can be found at APPCN.

Robin Hanks, Ph.D., ABPP-ABCN is the Director of Training for the predoctoral and postdoctoral training program in Clinical Neuropsychology. She is a Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the Wayne State University School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology in the Wayne State University School of Science. She received her Ph.D. in 1996 from the Department of Psychology at Wayne State University, completed her APA approved internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Physical Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA.

Dr. Hanks' clinical duties are on the outpatient clinical neuropsychology rotation and has research interests in the areas of traumatic brain injury; neuropsychological assessment; emotional adjustment post brain injury; long-term cognitive and functional outcome in rehabilitation populations.

Rachel E. Keelan, Ph.D., ABPP-ABCN, provides inpatient neuropsychological and rehabilitation psychology services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM). She obtained her doctorate from Wayne State University in 2016 and subsequently completed an APA-accredited internship and APPCN postdoctoral residency at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Keelan has extensive experience providing outpatient neuropsychological and rehabilitation psychology services at RIM as well as at the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital prior to joining the faculty at RIM in 2019.

Dr. Keelan’s clinical and research interests include cognitive and emotional factors across stages of traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, improving functional outcomes following acquired brain injury, caregiver transitions after neurologic diagnoses, dementia and aging, neurobehavioral and neuropsychological assessment, performance validity, as well as using

Amanda Zwilling, Ph.D. is a staff rehabilitation neuropsychology at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM); she provides services on the Spinal Cord Injury and General PM&R services.

Dr. Zwilling graduated with her doctorate from City University of New York (CUNY) and completed an APA-approved internship at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, MI. She completed an APPCN postdoctoral residency in clinical neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology at RIM. Dr. Zwilling’s clinical and research interests include treatment of polytrauma, improving functional outcomes following injury or illness, neurodevelopmental disorders, impact of health behaviors on outcomes after injury, multidisciplinary team consultation and co-treatment, and use of brief interventions to promote adjustment and behavioral health.

Carson Teague, Ph.D., is a staff rehabilitation neuropsychologist working with the Neuroscience and the Spinal Cord Injury services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM). He received his doctorate from Saint Louis University in 2022 after completing an APA-accredited internship at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. Dr. Teague completed postdoctoral residency at RIM and transitioned to faculty in 2024.

Affiliate Faculty

Stephen Vangel, Ph.D.provides neuropsychological and psychological services in the community. Dr. Vangel obtained his Ph.D. from Wayne State University in 1996 and completed his APA approved internship at the John Dingell V.A. Hospital in Detroit. He is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Vangel previously provided inpatient and outpatient services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. 

Tanya E. Sherman, Ph.D., ABPP-ABCN,provides neuropsychological and psychological services in the community. Dr. Sherman graduated with her doctorate from Wayne State University (WSU) in 2004 after completing an APA approved internship at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. She then completed postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. She previously provided inpatient and outpatient services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and has been on faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Departments at WSU Medical School and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

The neuropsychology training program at Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) educates postdoctoral residents in neuropsychology. The training program offers a combination of clinically supervised experience and in-depth educational opportunities.

We are also a founding member and member-in-good-standing of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology, APPCN.

Our Team

The Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology at RIM consists of neuropsychologists. All hold faculty appointments in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Some faculty members also hold joint and adjunct appointments in other academic and clinical departments.

Training Program: Postdoctoral Residency

Full-time postdoctoral resident positions are awarded for two years of training. Residents are recruited from APA-accredited doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology and must have completed an APA-accredited internship. Extensive neuropsychological assessment experience is required. Additional experience in medical rehabilitation settings (or with medical rehabilitation populations) is highly desirable.

The training program is modeled after the principles set forth at the Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology. It is scientist-practitioner based and is an integrated program of formal education and training through practice. The core domains identified by the Houston conference are addressed through clinical rotations and educational opportunities.

Core domains include:

• Assessment
• Treatment and intervention
• Consultation
• Research
• Teaching

Our Mission

To build upon core knowledge obtained in clinical graduate courses, practice, and internships, primarily in the areas of brain-behavior relationships.

This includes functional neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, neurodiagnostic techniques, neurochemistry, neuropsychology of behavior, specialized assessment and intervention techniques, integration of research findings and data, professional issues and ethics of neuropsychology, and practical implications for neuropsychological conditions. 

Our Commitment to Diversity in Neuropsychological Practice

Our Department is committed to training residents and predoctoral students in matters related to diversity, including consideration of all elements of a patient’s background in the choice of neuropsychological assessment and treatment techniques. We encourage learning about the potential impact of country of origin, ethnicity, culture, religion, physical status, sexual preference, gender, gender identity, and socioeconomic status for each patient. Available resources for this learning can include text or research literature, acculturation measures, appropriate neuropsychological norms, consultation with a faculty member or hospital staff member of similar background, and most importantly, the patients themselves. We emphasize the concept that each patient is a representation of many influences, and is essentially “a culture of one”. Therefore, the patients themselves are the best source of information about their culture.

Our diverse patient, faculty, and staff populations provide a rich opportunity for learning about diversity. The Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan serves as the primary rehabilitation facility for the Detroit Metropolitan area, which includes large population groups identifying as Black, Latinx, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, and Asian. As a rehabilitation center, we also see large numbers of people experiencing differences in physical and cognitive abilities in their interaction with community infrastructure and resources. Both experiential and formal educational opportunities regarding diversity issues, including continuing education and didactics, are part of the training program.

Our Department is particularly interested in welcoming the applications of neuropsychology trainees of diverse backgrounds, in order to strengthen the field of neuropsychology by inclusion of more voices, experiences, and priorities. We believe that this will strengthen the practice of neuropsychology through development of more appropriate assessment and treatment methods, and better serve the diverse patient population at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and elsewhere.

To increase the number of diverse practitioners of neuropsychology, our faculty work to encourage candidates in our local graduate psychology programs to choose a career in neuropsychology. We recruit and train graduate students in our practicum program and as research assistants. Our research work, while primarily intended to gather useful information regarding care for our diverse patient population, also offers us the opportunity to attract and retain trainees and faculty of diverse backgrounds.

To build upon core knowledge obtained in clinical graduate courses, practice, and internships, primarily in the areas of brain-behavior relationships.

This includes functional neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, neurodiagnostic techniques, neurochemistry, neuropsychology of behavior, specialized assessment and intervention techniques, integration of research findings and data, professional issues and ethics of neuropsychology, and practical implications for neuropsychological conditions.

RIM specialized services include:

• Stroke
• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Orthopedic conditions
• Cardiac conditions
• Burn injury

Our department has additional specializations in:

• Demyelinating disorders
• Neoplasms
• Dementias
• Encephalopathies
• Psychotherapy, including treatments integrated into rehabilitation plans
• Pain evaluation and treatment

This diversity of presenting conditions allows for comprehensive training of assessment, intervention, and research in neurological and neurologically-related conditions. The training program cultivates skills through clinical practice, formal education, and modeling by faculty.

During residency

Inpatient services are provided across three specialty units at RIM: neuroscience, spinal cord injury, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Residents complete six four-month rotations. Embedded within each of these rotations is a monthly outpatient component that includes outpatient assessment and outpatient psychotherapy.

Postdoctoral residents receive a minimum of two hours of formal weekly supervision, with most receiving additional supervision daily. Residents may request additional supervision at any time.

Educational activities & research

Residents have the option to engage in research during their residency, supported by faculty, including for presentation and publication of their research

Formal educational opportunities include:

• Weekly didactics
• Professional development
• Continuing education
• Board review
• Fact finding and Case discussion

As the primary rehabilitation facility for the Detroit Metropolitan area, the patient and staff populations provide our residents constant exposure to diverse individuals. Appropriate interaction, assessment, and treatment of persons from diverse backgrounds is therefore a priority for our training program, as well as for faculty research and ongoing professional development. Emphasis upon diversity in the training program includes efforts to encourage minority participation in the field of neuropsychology, as well as in our residency program, and as faculty members. Our didactics and other training opportunities, as well as supervision of the residents' daily work, support their learning and efficacy in working with diverse persons. We encourage applicants' awareness of the following guidelines, research priorities, and supportive resources pertaining to working with diverse persons.

Exit criteria include:

1. Advanced skill in the neuropsychological evaluation, treatment, and consultation to patients and professionals sufficient to practice on an independent basis
2. Advanced understanding of brain-behavior relationships
3. A formal evaluation of competency in exit criteria 1 & 2
4. Eligibility for state or provincial licensure or certification for the independent practice of psychology
5. Eligibility for board certification in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Clinical Training Opportunities

Inpatient Services

Neuroscience Service

RIM is the major provider of acute inpatient rehabilitation services for individuals with brain injuries and other neurologic conditions in southeastern Michigan. The psychologists on this service provide ongoing assessment of neurobehavioral status in order to assist the team, patient and family in effective treatment planning. This includes serial evaluation of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral status, plus more comprehensive neuropsychological assessment when clinically indicated.

Intervention is a strong part of the training, and we work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to manage patients' confusion, restlessness, agitation, or emotional distress. The service provides the opportunity to follow patients closely through early recovery, and to be integrally involved in their medical, nursing, and rehabilitation treatment process.

Specific objectives for this rotation:

• Determining severity of TBI injuries based on available injury characteristics
• Increased confidence and comfort delivering psychoeducation to the team, patient, and care partners
• Learn behavioral management skills to address restlessness, agitation and confusion and increase treatment adherence
• Develop basic psychological intervention skills in the treatment of patients who sustained a brain injury, and their families

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service

The inpatient Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation service provides care for individuals with diverse disabling conditions. The primary role for neuropsychologists is working with individuals who have suffered stroke, anoxic encephalopathy, organ transplantation, cardiac conditions, limb amputations, or changes in cognitive status due to an associated health condition.

The neuropsychologist evaluates each patient to determine the status of their cognitive and affective functioning. The neuropsychologist works closely with the attending physician, medical resident, therapy staff, and nursing staff to identify teaching and intervention strategies to assist with the patient’s rehabilitation treatment plan. The neuropsychologist works closely with patients and their families to help the patient's adjustment.

Specific objectives for this rotation:

• Conduct bedside mental status screenings
• Assess emotional functioning and adjustment to medical condition
• Administer, score, and interpret neuropsychological tests
• Write concise assessment reports
• Provide individual and family intervention to facilitate adjustment and emotional coping
• Address pain and provide psychological pain management treatment
• Provide education addressing stroke, stroke consequences, and stroke recovery to patients and their families
• Learn the clinical presentation of common stroke syndromes
• Learn the differential diagnoses of dementia
• Provide consultation to treatment team members

Spinal Cord Injury and Burn Injury Service

The main focus of this rotation is psychotherapy with patients who have sustained a spinal cord injury, orthopedic injuries, amputation, burn, or cancer. Psychologists on this rotation conduct an initial assessment of emotional status and cognitive status. Neuropsychological assessment may be performed if that is indicated. Intervention is provided for those patients displaying problematic adjustment or coping. Additionally, psychologists on this rotation can participate in an injury-specific education program for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Specific objectives for this rotation:

• Understand psychological and basic medical aspects of spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, burn injuries, and amputation.Basic medical aspects include delirium from a variety of causes.
• Assess emotional and cognitive functioning
• Provide treatment, including pain management intervention, to enhance patients’ gains within their overall rehabilitation program
• Provide behavioral management, including formulation of behavioral interventions, and leadership in the multidisciplinary team’s execution of behavior management techniques
• Participate in weekly Physician-Team Rounds, monthly service line meetings, and bi-monthly SCI continuum meetings.

Outpatient Services

A monthly outpatient opportunity will be provided with the director of training or affiliate faculty. Opportunities will include outpatient assessment and carrying one psychotherapy case. Typically, these will be RIM patients that are transitioning from inpatient to outpatient, allowing for opportunities to provide a continum of care. 

• Assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
• Administer, score, and interpret neuropsychological measures
• Write concise, comprehensive assessment reports
• Provide feedback and psychoeducation to patients and care partners
• Treat emotional and cognitive difficulties related to rehabilitation and/or adjustment to injury

Research

Research involvement is an option for residents. It may occur primarily with staff in the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, although opportunities with other researchers do arise. Regardless of the faculty or site involved, all research projects in which trainees wish to become involved (whether archival or prospective) must be reported to and approved by the Director of Training and Wayne State University's IRB, before the trainee becomes involved. Even if a project or measure was approved by another institution (e.g., research that began during your internship or that was part of your dissertation project), it must adhere to the approval and monitoring process described above.

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