The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recently named Dr. Michael Farnsworth, Medical Director/Consultant of the South Central Community Based Initiative (SCCBI) Psychiatric Hub, as a Distinguished Fellow. Farnsworth was nominated at the state level by the Minnesota Psychiatric Society for the national award given his innovative and highly regarded work within the profession. The Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following areas: administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance, community involvement, as well as clinical excellence. Distinguished Fellow is the highest membership honor the APA bestows upon members.
“Dr. Farnsworth is most deserving of this hallmark award from the APA for his commitment to the field of psychiatry,” stated Phil Claussen, Blue Earth County Human Services Director. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Farnsworth leading our South Central Community Based Initiative Psychiatric Hub for Mental Health Services and for the innovation he has brought to our network and the entire practice of psychiatric work.”
During his tenure working with the SCCBI, Farnsworth helped develop the tele-psychiatry clinic network to provide high quality, cost effective, easily accessible mental health services to the 10 south-central Minnesota counties comprising the initiative. The SCCBI helps persons experiencing serious and persistent mental illness receive services to improve their quality of life, increase the responsibility for their lives and help them function as actively and independently as possible in the community. Farnsworth was recognized by the Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners for his achievement and the work he does for the SCCBI, which Blue Earth County is part of.