Neuropsychologist Honored for Service May 23, 2019 Robert Fallows, PsyD, ABPP, has been honored with the Early Career Service Award by the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Criteria for the award includes service to the community and to the field of neuropsychology, organizational leadership roles and teaching, supervision and mentoring activities. Dr. Fallows came to Samaritan in 2012 to launch the neuropsychology clinic at Samaritan Mental Health, serving patients from Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. The demand for neuropsychological evaluations grew from about 250 referrals a year to about 1100 per year, and Samaritan Neuropsychology – Albany was established to meet the need. As medical director of the clinic, Dr. Fallows has worked to integrate neuropsychology services with primary care for a seamless patient experience. He has helped recruit to the clinic three additional adult neuropsychologists, a pediatric neuropsychologist and two psychometrists, who help administer and score neuropsychological evaluations. “These clinicians will help the clinic continue to meet the growing demand, as referrals continue to increase at a rate of about 20 percent per year,” said Samaritan Health Services Chief Medical Officer Robert Turngren, MD. “Dr. Fallows brought neuropsychology to our region and continues to grow the program by leaps and bounds.” Dr. Fallows is active in the community, offering seminars on healthy cognitive aging, concussions, stroke rehabilitation and other topics to local clubs, support groups and free for the public. He secured grant funding and implemented SM*ART, a pilot program meant to build parental skills for managing ADHD through the integration of behavioral health education with arts and crafts. He serves as a clinical assistant professor of neurology at Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, as well as the associate director of clinical training for Samaritan’s Medical Psychology Training Program. He also helped to develop coursework for Samaritan’s Psychiatry and Family Medicine Residency Programs. Professional leadership and advocacy efforts are wide ranging over the last decade, having served as the chair of the National Academy of Neuropsychology DistanCE learning committee, among other roles for the organization; as well as a wide array of volunteer service to the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, and the Oregon Psychological Association. “Dr. Fallows is a tremendous asset to patients, to fellow neuropsychologists, to Samaritan and to the community,” said Dr. Turngren. “He is well deserving of this award.” Dr Fallows earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University and a master’s and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. He is board certified in clinical neuropsychology. Throughout his career, research has remained an important component of his work, and he has presented at regional, state, and national conferences. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and maintains research interests in sports concussion, psychometrics, and patient/provider impact from neuropsychological services. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, and outdoor activities including running, mountain biking, road biking and skiing. Samaritan Neuropsychology – Albany provides clinical evaluations to patients, looking at how thinking skills such as attention, memory and problem-solving work and interact with mood, personality and behavior.
