Dr. Chinman received his Ph.D. in clinical/community psychology from the University of South Carolina. Since then, his overall initiative has been focused on developing and accessing strategies that involve mental health consumers in service-providing and testing various interventions to improve the recovery and resources for individuals with serious mental illnesses.

Dr. Chinman has conducted multiple trials evaluating Peer Specialists’ outcomes; conducted reviews of the Peer Specialist outcome study literature; conducted several studies assessing implementation barriers and facilitators that Peer Specialists face in and outside the VA; and developed a fidelity measure to assess the quality of Peer Specialist services. The reviews and original studies have been important for policy makers to argue for increased hiring of Peer Specialists and allowing for Medicaid reimbursement in over 40 states. He is the recipient of the Outstanding Publication Award (Getting to Outcomes), 2008, American Evaluation Association; VA Daniel Deykin Award for Outstanding Mentor, 2020, Department of Veteran Affairs and the Investigator Excellence in Research Award, 2020, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

When asked why conducting VA focused research is important, Dr. Chinman responded “Veterans have served our country. They deserve the best care. Our research can directly improve the lives of those who have served.”