Portia Elise West, MD

Education and Training

East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC

July 2016 – May 2020
Psychiatry Residency

Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC

June 2012 – May 2016
Doctor of Medicine

Georgetown University, Washington, DC

August 2011 – May 2012
Masters in Science Physiology and Biophysics

Georgetown University Medical Center and George Mason University, Manassas, VA

August 2010 – May 2011
Advanced Biomedical Sciences Graduate Certificate

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

August 2006 – May 2010
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Professional Licenses, Board Certification & Other Certifications

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support – 2023-Present
• Board Certification in Psychiatry and Neurology – September 2020-Present
• North Carolina State Unrestricted Medical License – 2018-Present
• United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 3 – January 2018
• North Carolina Resident Training License- June 2016 – August 2018
• Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety – 2016-Present
• United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 2 CS – April 2015
• United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 2 CK – August 2015
• BLS Certification – 2014-Present
• United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 – June 2013

Clinical Experience/Practicum

ECU Psychiatry Residency Program, Greenville, NC

August 2024 – Present

Associate Program Director

Support the Program Director to develop and maintain an environment conducive to educating residents in each of the ACGME competency areas. Assisting the Program Director in ensuring that the Program meets or exceeds all accreditation, regulatory, quality and safety, educational, and institutional standards. Proving leadership to develop and continuously improve the Psychiatric Residency Training Program. The duties include the following: Assist PD in ensuring the quality of didactic, clinical, and research educational activities in which residents participate, assist in the development and updating of a Program curriculum that meets all accreditation standards, monitor resident supervision, ensure that residents are informed of and performs in accordance with all policies and procedures, provide each resident with documented semi-annual evaluation of performance with feedback, etc.

Assistant Clinical Professor

Responsible for teaching and facilitating learning to residents and medical students in Psychiatric courses and in clinical environments. Oversee residents during clinical rotations, ensuring they apply theoretical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. Evaluating resident and medical students’ performance through assignments, clinical assessments, and practical evaluations. Fostering interprofessional educations opportunities to promote interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, researching, and providing clinical care to patients. They may also be involved in the supervision and mentorship of medical students, residents, and fellows. Their expertise and experience in both the classroom and clinical settings provide valuable insights and hands-on learning opportunities for students.

377th Mental Health Clinic, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM

July 2020 – June 2024

Sole psychiatrist and Medical Director, providing clinical oversight and ensuring quality care of 11 credentialed providers for Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT), and Family Advocacy for over 9 wings, 108 mission partners, and 20K beneficiaries. Leads clinical oversight and training as a Competent Medical Authority (CMA) for the Personnel Reliability and Assurance Program ensuring Global Strike Command can uphold its mission. Additional duties include Mental Health OIC and Mental Health medication and mental health consultant for medical group leadership, Unit Commanders, and Primary Care Managers (PCMs).

Mental Health Flight Medical Director

Provided oversight of mental health in lieu of/Medical Evaluation Board to determine retainability in Active-Duty service members. Advises non-physician flight leaders on medical protocols and needs in the flight. Served as the ADAPT Medical Director and was responsible for reviewing and monitoring lab work for members in ADAPT treatment, random drug screens, prescribing medication to assist with rehabilitation, and providing consultation to ADAPT staff regarding potential detoxification issues or referrals to Primary Care or Flight Medicine (for members on flight status) for medical conditions. Ensured effective clinic operations to include performance of MH case management, At Risk Tracer procedures, and required peer review. Oversaw and documented mental health flight orientation for all staff, including military, civilian, and contractors.

Mental Health Officer in Charge (MHOIC)

Develops, mentors, and manages enlisted and officer personnel in the Mental Health Flight. Oversees and helps coordinate Mental Health Flight in-service and recurring training. Oversees officer and enlisted evaluation, feedback, recognition process and monitors all upgrade training for personnel in mental health. Provides oversight for the Multidisciplinary Clinical Case Conference to help coordinate the care of high-risk patients, complex patients who are involved in multiple elements of the mental clinic and track off base mental referrals for service members. Assist in training for specialty evaluations. In addition, provides education and assist unit commanders in completing specialty evaluations to include Command Directed Evaluations, Sanity Boards, etc.

Disaster Mental Health Team Member/Lead

Provided services (psychological first aid) for individuals who either directly witnessed or were involved in an all-hazard incident (An all-hazard incident is any incident, natural or manmade, serious enough to warrant action to protect the life, property, health, and safety of military members, dependents, and civilians at risk, and minimize any disruptions of installation operations). Established standard operating procedures that include team composition, an assessment of local resources, high-vulnerability groups, and a response plan for team activation.

Posters & Presentations

• Is it Psychosis: An In-depth Cook into Child and Adolescent Psychosis, Vidant Medical Center Children’s Services Conference, August 2019
• Is it Psychosis: An In-depth Cook into Child and Adolescent Psychosis, Vidant Medical Center Grand Rounds, March 2019
• Improving Resident Wellness Resources, Vidant Medical Center GME Research Day, May 2018
• Exploring Stigmas of Healthcare Professionals Against HIV Patients, Howard University Medicine and Society Poster Day, March 2009