Staff
Christopher F. Flynn, MD; Founding Director
Dr. Flynn (he, him, his) is a seasoned Aerospace, Clinical & Operational, and FAA HIMS Psychiatrist, team leader and team player, with broad national/international experience. He has provided outpatient, residential, hospital, deployed: aerospace and high reliability operational/mission focused psychiatry assessments, fitness assessments and treatment. He is the Founding Director of CPBHC. Most recently, Dr. Flynn was an FAA Assistant Chief Psychiatrist, where he provided 'return to flying status' recommendations to the US Federal Air Surgeon on more than 4000 cases and 2200 aviators. Dr. Flynn has served in Senior Leadership positions in the USAF, the VA Healthcare System and the US Department of State. He is an author/co-author of twelve peer reviewed articles and seven aerospace psychiatry-focused book chapters; and he has earned numerous awards for his service excellence.
His Psychiatry Experience
Dr. Flynn earned his MD at the Medical College of Georgia and completed his Psychiatry training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He holds medical licenses in Colorado, District of Columbia and Texas. Dr. Flynn has been an ABPN board certified psychiatrist since 1992. He has provided clinical psychiatry care for 35+ years to patients with a broad range of mental health conditions, in the VA Healthcare system, the Menninger Clinic, multiple operational settings (see below), and now at CPBHC. As a prior 21-years USAFR Senior Flight Surgeon, NASA Psychiatrist and Crew Surgeon and current FAA HIMS Psychiatrist, Dr. Flynn brings deep knowledge in aviation, aerospace and operational psychiatry.
His Operational Experience
Dr. Flynn has served (and supported top performers and their families) as an aerospace psychiatrist, military and spaceflight flight surgeon, and Regional Psychiatrist for deployed individuals and families in over 39 countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also a first mental health responder to individuals in 3 overseas natural disasters.
Kristen Karlik, RDH; Office Administrator
A native of Jacksonville Florida, Ms. Karlik (she, her) graduated from Florida State College with her Associate in Arts (with Honors) in 2016, and then completed her Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene in 2018. During her subsequent 5 years of practicing as a Dental Hygienist, she developed her remarkably strong abilities in comforting and caring for patients who feared their visits to the dentist. By earning her patient’s trust, Ms. Karlik was able to do so much more to help them. Her warm and kind demeanor made her a highly sought after volunteer hygienist for the Boys & Girls Club's and the Special Olympic's children. After leaving the dental hygiene field, Ms. Karlik further developed her administrative and management skills in outpatient healthcare.
Using her unique capabilities, Ms. Karlik looks forward to: coordinating communications with CPBHC patients, guiding them through the steps to complete their evaluation, ensuring reports and EMR documentation tasks are finalized; and managing invoices/payments. Ms. Karlik will be focused on helping our CPBHC patients feel supported through their evaluation process. Further, she looks forward to creating strong, collaborative relationships with our referring professionals.