Murder of El Paso VA clinic psychologist highlights challenges of profession

The death of Timothy Fjordbak, PsyD, at the El Paso Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Jan. 6 is a reminder of the potential challenges faced by mental health providers treating veterans, and the need for mass shooter preparation, a retired Army colonel and psychiatrist told Healio.com/Psychiatry.

At approximately 3:10 p.m. on Jan. 6, Fort Bliss received reports of an active shooting at the El Paso VA clinic, according to the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Office of Public Affairs press release.

Elspeth Cameron Ritchie

“This incident brings to light the dangers we face as mental health providers,” Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, MD, MPH, Retired Army Col., former chief clinical officer for the Department of Mental Health in Washington, DC, told Healio Psychiatry. “This is true whether patients are veterans or not. These are the challenges we have when treating patients with loaded weapons.”

Ritchie, now a forensic psychiatrist, said mass shooter preparations are needed.

“I’ve seen too many places where this has happened,” she said. “It is critically important that providers run mass shooting drills.”

The American Psychological Association issued the following statement regarding the shooting death of Timothy Fjordbak, PsyD:

“We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Dr. Timothy Fjordbak, a psychologist serving our nation's veterans at the El Paso VA Medical Center. Dr. Fjordbak was a member of the American Psychological Association for 25 years, and of our Division 40, the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology, for 18 years. On behalf of our 130,000 members and affiliates, we extend our condolences to Dr. Fjordbak's family, friends and colleagues.

Fjordbak, 63, was shot to death Tuesday at the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care System at Fort Bliss, where he worked. According to news reports, Fjordbak left private practice after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because he wanted to work with military veterans.”

This week, the VA utilized a Mobile Vet Center with a clinical staff in an effort to provide counseling services to veterans, service members, families and VA staff members following the shooting at Ft. Bliss, according to VAntage Point, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. – by Samantha Costa

Disclosure: Ritchie reports no relevant financial disclosures.