Joseph Richard Ciccone, M.D.

Professional Background

J. Richard Ciccone, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Founding Director of the Psychiatry and Law Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. He was the American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2013 Isaac Ray Award recipient for outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry. He has been described as a visionary leader who played an important role in creating the academic discipline of forensic psychiatry. He was President of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (1986-87), and founder of the organization's Forensic Psychiatry Course. He was chair of the APA's Commission on Judicial Action (1993-2000) and chair of the APA Commission on Public Policy, Litigation, and Advocacy (2000 – 2002). He has lectured and published nationally and internationally on forensic psychiatry and ethics, comparative forensic psychiatry and the history of forensic psychiatry. In 2002, in recognition of his work on behalf of forensic psychiatry and patient advocacy, he was awarded an APA Special Presidential Commendation.