Biography
Dr. Bhatt received his B.A. in Psychology from The College of New Jersey in 2001, followed by his M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 2005. He subsequently completed his 4 year residency in General Psychiatry at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 2009. Dr. Bhatt then came to university of New Mexico to complete an additional 1 year of training in Addiction Psychiatry, finishing in 2010.
Personal Statement
Dr. Bhatt is passionate about providing equitable, state of the art care to individuals with substance use disorders. Substance use disorders are treatable chronic illnesses that profoundly impact many individuals, their families, and their communities. Unfortunately, these illnesses also remain highly stigmatized, and access to effective treatments can be a major challenge. Dr. Bhatt is motivated by the challenge of helping create systems of care that are patient centered, anti-stigma, equitable, and that offer cutting edge treatments in a trauma-informed and integrated settings.
Dr. Bhatt currently serves as the chief of Addiction Psychiatry at UNM. He provides much of his clinical care at UNMH Addiction and Substance Abuse Programs [ASAP]. Additionally, he is very engaged in clinical and implementation research that focuses on improving outcomes for patients with opioid use disorders, and is currently involved in multiple NIDA funded clinical trials, as well as multiple ECHO projects. He is engaged in research that explores the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Finally, Dr. Bhatt also enjoys teaching, and is involved in clinical teaching of medical students, as well as residents and fellows.
Areas of Specialty
1. Treatment of substance use disorders
2. Treatment of co-occurring opioid use disorders and chronic pain
3. Therapeutic potential of psychedelics
4. Rural health
5. Public policy
Achievements & Awards
-“Top doc,†Albuquerque magazine, Addiction Medicine, 2015, 2020-2022.
-“Preceptor Practice of the Year Award,†UNM PA Program, 2021.
-Department of Family and Community Medicine teaching award, June 2020.
-University of New Mexico School of Medicine Teaching Award, Dec 2019
-Indian Health Services Director’s Award for Community Engagement, June 2018
-US Attorney’s Law Enforcement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Safety in the District of New Mexico, April 2017
-Kellner Teaching Award, June 2013, University of New Mexico Department of Psychiatry
-Medical Education Scholars Program Participant, July 2012- July 2014, University of New Mexico
-George Ginsberg Fellowship Award- residents with academic leadership potential and interest in education, 2009, American Association for Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training [AADPRT]
-Inducted into AOA Residents chapter, 2009, Alpha Omega Alpha
-Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanity in Medicine and Excellence in Teaching Award, 2006, Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Key Publications
Book Chapter
Bhatt, Snehal, Bhatt S, Foster BE, Jacobsohn V, Romo P, Seybert T, & Russell R. (2018). Assessment and care of patients with opioid use disorders. In Compton MT, & Manseau MW (eds). The American Opioid Epidemic: From Patient Care to Public Health: American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Journal Article
Bhatt, Snehal, Lee, J. D., Nunes, E. V., Novo, P., Bachrach, K., Bailey, G. L., Bhatt, S., ... & King, J. (2017). Comparative effectiveness of extended?release naltrexone versus buprenorphine?naloxone for opioid relapse prevention (X: BOT): a multicentre, open?label, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet.
Journal Article
Bhatt, Snehal, Katzman, J. G., Fore, C., Bhatt, S., Greenberg, N., Griffin Salvador, J., Comerci, G. C., ... & Bradford, A. (2016). Evaluation of American Indian Health Service Training in Pain Management and Opioid Substance Use Disorder. American journal of public health, 106(8), 1427?1429.
Journal Article
Bhatt, Snehal, Salvador, J., Bhatt, S., Fowler, R., Ritz, J., James, R., Jacobsohn, V., & Sussman, A. L. (2019). Engagement With Project ECHO to Increase Medication?Assisted Treatment in Rural Primary Care. Psychiatric Services, appi?ps.
Journal Article
Bhatt, Snehal, Katzman, J.G., Takeda, M.Y.,…Bhatt, S. (2020). Take?Home Naloxone and Opioid Reversals Performed by Opioid Treatment Program Patients. JAMA Open Network, 3(2).
Gender
Male
Languages
- English
- Gujarati
- Hindi
Research and Scholarship
Exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics: I served as the site PI for the now published double blind trial evaluating psilocybin assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder, and will also be the site-PI for the upcoming phase IIB study that builds upon this line of research.
Bogenschutz, M. P., Ross, S., Bhatt, S., Baron, T., Forcehimes, A. A., Laska, E., ... & Worth, L. (2022). Percentage of heavy drinking days following psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy vs placebo in the treatment of adult patients with alcohol use disorder: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA psychiatry, 79(10), 953-962.
Bhatt, S. R., Armstrong, M., Parker, T., Maviglia, M., Kass, R., Leeman, L., ... & Ziedonis, D. (2022). Psychedelic Therapies at the Crossroads of Trauma and Substance Use: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions, Taking a Lead From New Mexico. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2394.