Francine Cournos MD

HIV/AIDS Focused

Professor of Clinical Psychiatry (in Epidemiology), Columbia University

722 W. 168th StNew York, NY 10032

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Summary

Francine Cournos, MD, based in New York, NY, specializes in psychiatry with a subspecialty focus on HIV/AIDS. Dr. Cournos completed medical training with an internship and residency in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by a psychiatry residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital's Columbia Campus. Dr. Cournos holds a BS in Chemistry from City College of New York and graduated from New York University School of Medicine. Experienced in areas including HIV, psychotherapy, and mental illness, Dr. Cournos has numerous publications exploring the intersection of mental health and HIV care. Recognized for significant contributions to psychiatry and public health, Dr. Cournos has received multiple awards, including distinctions from the American Psychiatric Association.

Education & Training

New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus)/New York State Psychiatric InstituteResidency, Psychiatry, 1973 - 1976
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Moses and Weiler Campuses)Residency, Internal Medicine, 1972 - 1973
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Moses and Weiler Campuses)Internship, Internal Medicine, 1971 - 1972
New York University School of MedicineClass of 1971
City College of New YorkBS, Chemistry, Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, 1963 - 1967

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Certifications & Licensure

NY State Medical License 1973 - 2027
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Psychiatry

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Award for Outstanding Contributions to Foster Care, Family Focus Adoption Services 2010
Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association 2009
NYSPI/Columbia University Department of Psychiatry Alumni Award 2004

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Identifying the vulnerable among the vulnerable: applying quantitative intersectionality methods to assess potential inequities in the HIV continuum of care for people...
Paul Wesson, Eric Vittinghoff, Marilyn D Thomas, Stephen Crystal, Richard Hermida
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 2026-04-01
Designing Health Care Policy and Systems to Reach and Retain Those with Severe Mental Illness in HIV Prevention and Care Efforts: Insights from Ten US States.
Waania Beg, Kimberly A Koester, James Walkup, Francine Cournos, Stephen Crystal
Prevention Science. 2026-03-01
Hepatitis C virus-related liver cancer among Medicaid recipients with schizophrenia, 2002-2012.
Marilyn D Thomas, Mandana Khalili, Eric Vittinghoff, Francine Cournos, Mark Olfson
Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health. 2025-08-01

Journal Articles

Why treatment of mental disorders is an important component of HIV prevention among people who inject drugs.
Buckingham E, Schrage E, Cournos F, Preventive Medicine
HIV/AIDS and People With Mental Illness.
Cournos F, American Psychiatric Association and the National Alliance for the Mentally IlI
A federal "shell game" on mental disability.
Cournos F, Herman R, New York Times

Books/Book Chapters

Opiod Pain Addiction Medications – Drug Interactions with HIV Antiretrovirals: A Drug Interaction Guide for Clinicians.
Farragon J, Cournos F, Woo M, Sullivan L, Chang E, Kubin CNew York/New Jersey AIDS Education and Training Center, HRSAEdition 2nd,
Psychiatric Medications and HIV Antiretrovirals: A Guide to Interactions for Clinicians.
Horwath E, Wainberg M, Cournos FThe New York/New Jersey AIDS Education & Training Center, HRSA
HIV and Psychiatry.
Chapter: HIV and people with serious and persistent mental illness
Page 138 - 152McKinnon K, Cournos F, Herman R, LeMelle SEditors: Citron K, Brouilette MJ, Beckett A.Cambridge University Press

Press Mentions

Patients with Severe Mental Illnesses Slip Between Cracks in HIV TestingJanuary 17th, 2017
Rwanda's Innovative Effort Tackles Comorbid HIV, Mental IllnessAugust 5th, 2011
PsychiatryOnline | Psychiatric News | News ArticleFebruary 10th, 2016

Grant Support

Northeast/Caribbean AIDS Education and Training CenterHRSA2015–2029
New York/New Jersey AIDS Education and Training CenterHRSA2005–2015
Columbia University HIV Mental Health Training ProjectCenter For Mental Health Services1995
HIV Training For Providers To The Severely Mentally IllCenter For Mental Health Services1994
HIV Training For Providers To The Severely Mentally IllCenter For Mental Health Services1992–1993