Ashley H. VanDercar, MD, JD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University and a staff psychiatrist at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, where she leads a competency evaluation and restoration unit.

Dr. VanDercar began her career as an attorney, working in healthcare. She later obtained a medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her adult psychiatry residency and forensic psychiatry fellowship at University Hospitals’ Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University. She is board certified in adult psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.

Dr. VanDercar has published on topics ranging from psychiatric malpractice to terrorism. She has lectured nationally on topics such as violence risk assessments, bias, expert witness testimony, and cults. She teaches medical students, residents, forensic psychiatry fellows, law students, and police officers.