Frank S. K. Appah Jr., MD, PhD, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and founder of Meroë Psychiatric in Westport, Connecticut. His clinical work focuses on individualized treatment of adolescents and adults, with particular interest in complex presentations, diagnostic uncertainty, and conditions that have not responded adequately to previous treatment.
Dr. Appah earned his MD and PhD in molecular biology from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in 2009. He completed his residency in adult psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, where he served as co-chief resident and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in recognition of excellence in clinical care, compassion, and service. He subsequently completed a fellowship in public psychiatry with the Yale Department of Psychiatry.
Dr. Appah later served as Unit Chief of the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he cared for individuals with mood, anxiety, personality, psychotic, and substance use disorders. In 2018, he received St. Vincent’s Medical Center’s St. Vincent de Paul Award as “Physician of the Year.” In 2026, he was honored by the Foundation of Hope for his contributions to the community and mental health. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of Lift Wellness, an adolescent behavioral health treatment program.
His approach to psychiatry combines careful diagnostic assessment, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology with consideration of the broader factors that can influence mental health. When clinically appropriate, this may include laboratory assessment of nutritional and metabolic factors, pharmacogenetic testing, dietary interventions, exercise, meditation, and complementary approaches. He collaborates with therapists, physicians, dietitians, and other specialists when multidisciplinary care may be helpful.
Dr. Appah also has a longstanding interest in new and emerging approaches to psychiatric treatment, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, and has completed training through the MAPS MDMA Therapy Training Program.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Appah has been involved in medical education and the training of future clinicians.
Fun fact: In November 2016, Dr. Appah was named one of the Top 10 semifinalists in Men’s Health magazine’s Ultimate Guy Search.
