AltaPointe Health Brings Board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to Sylacauga Region
SYLACAUGA, Ala. (PRWEB) July 11, 2018 -- Edgar W. Finn, M.D., has joined the medical staff of AltaPointe Health’s Sylacauga Region, which includes four counties in east-central Alabama, and will be the area’s only board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist.
“We’ve had someone on a part-time, limited basis,” said Cindy Atkinson, AltaPointe’s associate executive director of the Sylacauga Region. “To have someone here full time is very exciting.”
Dr. Finn joined AltaPointe in 2012, having earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. His office will be in the Sylacauga Region’s Talladega clinic and he also will treat patients via telehealth in Sylacauga, Clay County and Randolph County, according to Atkinson.
“We are very pleased that Dr. Finn is adding his expertise to our northern region,” said Sandra Parker, M.D., who is AltaPointe’s medical director. “There are so many issues that can affect young people’s mental health, whether it’s depression, bullying or social media. He will be a tremendous asset to the area.”
Dr. Finn said child and adolescent psychiatrists can “make a real difference” in children’s lives.
“Due to the inherent shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists in Alabama, many families have had limited access to care with a psychiatrist specializing in the problems facing young people today,” he said. “Child and adolescent psychiatrists have a unique perspective among treatment professionals, and I believe we have the training and experience to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families.”
Dr. Finn began his new duties in the region on July 9. He said he is especially looking forward to helping expand AltaPointe’s role in the region’s school systems, and Atkinson concurred.
“As we grow our work in the schools, having a child and adolescent psychiatrist on staff is important,” she said.
Dr. Finn cited increased pressures on today’s children due to the onslaught of modern technologies such as cell phones, internet access and video games, which all present challenges to families and children.
“Children now spend quite a bit of time texting their friends, surfing the web and playing video games -- all activities we didn’t have to worry about 20 years ago,” he said. “However, while things have certainly changed, some things remain the same, such as the importance of the family in a child’s life, the critical role appropriate educational intervention can play in a child’s development, and access to care when problems develop.”
In Mobile, Dr. Finn was actively involved in AltaPointe’s presence in local schools. Previously, he served as a consultant to the Shelby County Board of Education and Glenwood’s Allan Cott School. Following his residency training and fellowship, he worked at the Children's Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham as a staff psychiatrist. Prior to joining AltaPointe, Finn served as medical director at Glenwood Inc. in Birmingham.
Finn is a Harpersville native, and is married to Sharon Finn. He has three children and seven grandchildren.
April Douglas, Director of Public Relations, AltaPointe Health, +1 (251) 544-4639, [email protected]
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