David Rozek, PhD, ABPP
Welcome! I’m David Rozek, the Founder and CEO of KITE Core, and a licensed psychologist in Utah, Florida, and Oregon. My passion lies in advancing mental health and wellness for first responders, veterans, and improving the health of their agencies. Through KITE Core, I empower individuals and teams with direct clinical services, innovative, science-backed training, and implementing cutting-edge research into actual practice. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with first responders, military personnel, and others exposed to trauma, including being on the front lines of critical incidents like the Champlain Tower collapse, officer-involved shootings, line-of-duty deaths, and natural disasters. I have also collaborated closely with organizations to develop and implement mental health programs tailored to their unique needs.
Outside of KITE Core, I’m an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications. I also serve as the Senior Scientific Advisor for Face the Fight, an $85 million suicide prevention coalition. Previously, I directed the National Center for First Responder Behavioral Health at UCF RESTORES, where I created comprehensive support systems first responders. I look forward to using my experiences as a clinician, researcher, and academic to bridge the gap between science and practice. If there’s anything I can assist with, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Education:
University of Notre Dame: PhD in Clinical Psychology
University of Notre Dame: MA in Clinical Psychology
University of Wisconsin Madison, BA in Psychology
Background on Dr. David Rozek
David Rozek, PhD, ABPP, is a clinical psychologist with a distinguished career dedicated to advancing the mental health and well-being of first responders and military personnel. He earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and completed his residency at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where he honed his expertise in treating veterans.
Dr. Rozek’s early career included a pivotal role at the University of Utah as the Director of Training at the National Center for Veterans Studies, where he led national suicide prevention training efforts. He then became the Director of the National Center of Excellence for First Responder Behavioral Health at UCF RESTORES, where he developed a regional support center and a statewide suicide prevention toolkit, which has been disseminated nationally.
His work extends to direct crisis intervention, having provided psychological support during major incidents such as the Surfside Building Collapse and natural disasters. Over the course of his career, Dr. Rozek has trained thousands of first responders in peer support and suicide prevention, equipping them with essential skills to protect their mental health and that of their peers. Additionally, he has trained thousands of mental health providers on best practices in suicide prevention.
Dr. Rozek has overseen clinical programs including several intensive PTSD treatment programs. Within these programs there has been over a 70% remission rate of PTSD in a two-week treatment program. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and secured more than $12 million in funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the State of Florida, State of Utah, the Boeing Corporation, and USAA.
In addition to being the Founder and CEO of KITE Core, he currently serves as the Director of Strategy and Evaluation at the STRONG STAR Training Initiative at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and as the Senior Scientific Advisor for Face the Fight, a coalition focused on reducing veteran suicide nationwide. Dr. Rozek’s career is marked by a commitment to evidence-based practices and innovative mental health programs that have a lasting impact on those who serve.