Dr. Thomas Gratzer

Dr. Thomas Gratzer, a board-certified psychiatrist, has dedicated over three decades to the practice of general and forensic psychiatry, with a significant portion of his career spent serving the communities of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. He has offered his expertise at various esteemed medical facilities throughout St. Paul and Minneapolis, including notable stints at Psych Recovery, Regions Hospital, United Hospital, and Fairview University Medical Center. His weekly schedule typically included seeing up to 100 patients and conducting multiple forensic evaluations, demonstrating his profound commitment to mental health care.

Dr. Gratzer's Esteemed Medical Career

Dr. Gratzer's professional path is marked by a series of influential roles that have significantly shaped his career in psychiatry. From 1995 to 2002, he was a Senior Forensic Psychiatrist at the Minnesota Security Hospital. Additionally, he served as a consulting psychiatrist for the Minnesota Department of Corrections at the Juvenile Detention Center from 1999 until 2015, providing crucial psychiatric care to incarcerated youths. This group mainly benefits from specialized mental health services.

During his tenure as an attending psychiatrist at United Hospital from 1995 to 2016, he was essential in treating patients facing severe psychiatric conditions, establishing himself as a cornerstone of psychiatric care in St. Paul, Minnesota. His leadership prowess was further recognized in 1997 when he served as the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center medical staff president, actively contributing to policy development and institutional governance.

Role as an Adjunct Assistant Professor

In the academic sphere, Dr. Gratzer has left a significant mark through his contributions to psychiatric education. He served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School from 2002 until 2021. His extensive educational roles also included lecturing at prestigious institutions, including the University of Manitoba, Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, DePaul Law School, and Regions Hospital, where he educated medical students, psychiatry residents, and law students.

Active Membership in Professional Organizations

Dr. Gratzer is an esteemed member of various professional groups such as the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and the Minnesota Psychiatric Society. His active engagement in these organizations, particularly on committees like the Sex Offender Committee and the Psychopharmacology Committee of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, showcases his commitment to forwarding psychiatric practices and addressing crucial issues at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice.

Contributions to Computer Science

Dr. Thomas Gratzer's talents extend into the realm of computer science. He was awarded first place for a computer program at the Manitoba Science Fair in 1991 and participated in Prince Philip's International Science Fortnight in London, England. During college, he co-authored a book on the TRS-80 computer, FAST BASIC: Beyond TRS-80 BASIC, which sold ten thousand copies. From 1984 to 1990, he was also involved in developing and designing VP-Info, a database programming language for the IBM PC, published by Paperback Software International and sold over 100,000 copies.

Publications and Awards

As an author, Dr. Gratzer has contributed numerous papers to peer-reviewed journals, advancing the field of forensic psychiatry. His research topics have been diverse, addressing the treatment of paraphilias, impulse control disorders, the ramifications of legal frameworks on mental health care, and new methods for managing compulsive sexual behaviors. His academic work has not only propelled scholarly discussions but also influenced practical treatments for mentally disordered offenders.

In 1994, his academic excellence was recognized with the Merrell Dow Psychiatric Research Award and the S. W. Prowse Memorial Award for Clinical Research, respectively. He also earned national recognition as a Rappaport Fellow of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law and received an Honorable Mention for his research paper in forensic sciences.

Educational Background

Dr. Gratzer commenced his educational journey at Saint John's Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, graduating with distinction and receiving the Governor General's medal. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Medicine and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, followed by his residency and a fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke's Center in Chicago. His comprehensive training included clinical rotations in diverse areas such as Adult Outpatient, Chronic Care, Adolescent Psychiatry, Forensics, Research and Clinical Forensics, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Geriatric Psychiatry.

Personal Life and Interests

Born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Dr. Gratzer was raised in an academic family. His father was a mathematics professor, and his mother was a retired dentist. He is married to Denise, a marketing professor and owner of a marketing agency. His stepdaughter is a member of the Navy's JAG corps. Although now retired, he remains actively involved in mental health advocacy and continues to support educational initiatives through donations to his alma mater.

Dr. Thomas Gratzer's diverse hobbies include tennis, skiing, regular exercise, traveling, and enjoying gourmet food. His life reflects a rich tapestry of professional dedication and personal achievement, and he continues to influence the field of psychiatry and the communities he has served.