Donna N. McNelis, PhD, is professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine and associate dean for professionalism and continuing education. She is also director of Behavioral Healthcare Education.
Dr. McNelis provides professional interdisciplinary continuing education, and staff development and consultation to providers and practitioners across the nation. Her current interests include co-occurring mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities, co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders, psychopharmacology for non-medical practitioners, child-focused issues and program management. Dr. McNelis has worked with the PA Department of Human Services on Veterans’ focused care and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).
Leadership Roles
Director: “Yesterday, Today and the Future: New Horizons in Forensic Services”
25th Annual PA Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, Drexel/PA Department of Corrections, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, November 29-30, 2017
Education chair: “Connections”
Rehabilitation Community Providers Association Annual Conference, Hershey, Pennsylvania, October 10-12, 2017
Director: “Current & Future Trends: Broadening Our Perspective in Rehabilitation”
24th Annual PA Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, Drexel/PA Department of Corrections, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, November 30-December 1, 2016
Chair: “RCPA On the Move”
Rehabilitation Community Providers Association Annual Conference, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 9/27-30/16.
Director: “Renewing & Reviewing Approaches to Criminal Justice and Mental Illness”
23nd Annual PA Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, Drexel/PA Department of Corrections, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 1-3, 2015
Chair: “Leading the Way”
Rehabilitation Community Providers Association Annual Conference, Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, October 7-10, 2015
Research Overview
Dr. McNelis served as co-principal investigator of a planning grant for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC), funded by Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration awarded to PA Health and Human Services/Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, 2015-2017 (no-cost extension 2017, 33% effort). She was also co-principal investigator for the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, PA Mental Health Procedures Act, co-submitted by Drexel University Department of Psychology and Disability Rights Network of PA, 2010-2014 (10% effort).