SUMMARY
David C. Fipps, D.O., studies how mental health conditions influence outcomes for patients undergoing complex medical treatments, with a particular focus on organ transplantation, weight-loss surgery and substance use-related conditions. His work examines the effects of depression, anxiety, addiction and behavioral factors on medical decision-making, long-term recovery, and quality of life before and after major procedures such as solid organ transplantation and bariatric surgery. He also researches biological markers that help clarify patterns of alcohol use in people who are medically ill.
Dr. Fipps' approach emphasizes careful assessment, ethical stewardship of limited medical resources and the integration of psychiatric care into multidisciplinary medical teams to improve patient outcomes and fairness in treatment decisions.
Focus areas
- Psychiatric factors in organ transplantation outcomes. Dr. Fipps focuses on the ways mental health conditions influence outcomes across the transplant continuum, including candidate evaluation, waitlist management and post‑transplant recovery. He studies the impact of depression, anxiety, addiction and psychosocial stressors on adherence, survival and quality of life, with the goal of improving ethical, consistent and patient‑centered transplant decision‑making.
- Substance use assessment and biomarkers in patients with complex medical conditions. A major area of Dr. Fipps' work examines objective methods for identifying and monitoring substance use in high-stakes medical settings. His research evaluates alcohol biomarkers and other testing strategies to clarify risk, reduce bias and support fair clinical decisions, particularly in transplant populations in which substance use history has significant medical and ethical implications.
- Psychiatric care in bariatric surgery and weight-related disease. Dr. Fipps investigates the interaction among mental health, substance use and surgical weight-loss treatments. His research addresses psychiatric evaluation before surgery, changes in substance use risk after surgery and the psychological impact of weight-loss interventions. This work aims to improve long-term outcomes and reduce unintended psychiatric and behavioral complications.
- Integration of psychiatry into complex medical systems. Across his scholarship, Dr. Fipps emphasizes integrating psychiatric expertise into multidisciplinary medical care. He explores how embedded psychiatric models can improve communication, reduce disparities and enhance outcomes for patients with severe medical illness, particularly in transplant centers, hospitals and other high-acuity clinical environments.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Fipps helps healthcare professionals make safer, fairer decisions and provide better care for patients with complex medical and mental health needs. His work improves how teams understand alcohol use, mood symptoms and stress before and after major treatments such as organ transplants and weight-loss surgery. He also supports new ways to monitor recovery and reduce harm, rather than relying solely on judgment or guesswork. By bringing mental healthcare directly into medical treatment plans, his research makes patients feel heard, supported and better prepared for long-term recovery.
Professional highlights
- Member, Editorial board, General Hospital Psychiatry, 2025-present.
- Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry:
- Chair, Residency Education Subcommittee, 2024-present.
- Member, Editorial board, Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 2023-present.
- Dorfman Best Original Research Paper Award, 2024.
- Stoudemire Innovations in Education Award, 2024.
- Top 10 Most Influential Papers in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 2023, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic:
- Member, Cardiopulmonary Transplantation Selection Committee, 2023-present.
- Member, Kidney Donor Transplantation Selection Committee, 2023-present.
- Member, Three Site Transplant Psychosocial Guidelines Committee, 2023-present.
- Member, Vascular Composite Allograph Transplantation Selection Committee, 2023-present.