Thomas Gratzer, MD, has established himself as a respected authority in general and forensic psychiatry through more than 30 years of professional experience. Practicing throughout the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, he has worked with a broad range of patients while contributing to some of the region’s leading healthcare institutions. His work has included positions at Psych Recovery, Regions Hospital, United Hospital, and Fairview University Medical Center. He is also soon to return to practice at Psych Recovery, where he looks forward to continuing his commitment to patient care. Known for his dedication and work ethic, Dr. Gratzer routinely manages approximately 100 patient visits each week and conducts several forensic psychiatric evaluations. His ability to balance clinical responsibilities with legal and academic work reflects a career defined by discipline, expertise, and service.
One of the defining aspects of Dr. Gratzer’s career has been his contribution to forensic psychiatry and correctional mental health services. Between 1995 and 2002, he served as Senior Forensic Psychiatrist at the Minnesota Security Hospital, where he worked with individuals requiring specialized psychiatric evaluation and treatment within the legal system. His responsibilities demanded a deep understanding of both psychiatric medicine and forensic assessment.
In addition to this role, Dr. Gratzer served as a consulting psychiatrist for the Minnesota Department of Corrections Juvenile Detention Center from 1999 to 2015. During this period, he focused on providing psychiatric care to incarcerated adolescents and young adults, many of whom faced serious emotional and behavioral challenges. His work in juvenile corrections demonstrated his commitment to improving mental health outcomes for underserved populations.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gratzer has maintained a strong presence in hospital-based psychiatric care. From 1995 until 2016, he served as an attending psychiatrist at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, he worked closely with patients experiencing severe psychiatric disorders and played an important role in treatment planning and crisis management.
His leadership abilities were recognized early in his career when he became medical staff president at the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center in 1997. In this role, he participated in developing institutional policies and helped guide key clinical decisions. These experiences reinforced his reputation as both an accomplished physician and a trusted leader in psychiatric medicine.
Dr. Gratzer has also devoted significant time to academic instruction and mentorship. From 2002 through 2021, he served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School. During his tenure, he helped educate medical students and psychiatry residents while sharing insights gained through decades of clinical practice.
Beyond the University of Minnesota, Dr. Gratzer lectured at several respected institutions, including the University of Manitoba, Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, DePaul Law School, and Regions Hospital. His lectures covered psychiatry, forensic medicine, and mental health law, helping students better understand the relationship between medicine and the legal system.
Dr. Thomas Gratzer has consistently remained involved in organizations dedicated to psychiatric advancement and ethical medical practice. He is affiliated with the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and the Minnesota Psychiatric Association. Through these memberships, he has stayed engaged with developments in psychiatric research, policy, and clinical standards.
He has also contributed his expertise to specialized committees within the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, including the Sex Offender Committee and the Psychopharmacology Committee. These positions allowed him to participate in discussions concerning treatment standards, forensic evaluation methods, and mental health policy.
Long before technology became central to modern healthcare, Dr. Gratzer demonstrated remarkable skill in computer science and software development. In 1991, he won first prize at the Manitoba Science Fair for developing a computer program and later participated in Prince Philip’s International Science Fortnight in London, England.
His accomplishments continued during college when he co-authored FAST BASIC: Beyond TRS-80 BASIC, a computer programming book that sold approximately 10,000 copies. From 1984 through 1990, he also contributed to the creation and development of VP-Info, a database programming language designed for IBM PCs. Published by Paperback Software International, the software achieved substantial commercial success, selling more than 100,000 copies worldwide.
Dr. Gratzer’s contributions to psychiatric research have further strengthened his professional legacy. He has authored multiple papers in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on subjects such as impulse control disorders, paraphilia treatment, compulsive sexual behavior, and forensic psychiatric practices. His research has helped improve understanding of complex psychiatric conditions and informed treatment approaches within both clinical and legal settings.
His work has earned him several notable awards and honors. In 1994, he received the Merrell Dow Psychiatric Research Award and the S. W. Prowse Memorial Award for Clinical Research at the University of Manitoba. He also earned national recognition as a Rappeport Fellow of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. He received an honorable mention from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for outstanding forensic research.
Born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Dr. Gratzer comes from a family deeply connected to education and medicine. His father was a mathematics professor at Penn State University before relocating to Winnipeg, while his mother practiced dentistry. His brother and sister-in-law are both physicians based in Toronto, Ontario.
Dr. Thomas Gratzer is married to Denise, a marketing professor and business owner, and his stepdaughter, Tanya, serves in the Navy’s JAG Corps. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys tennis, skiing, exercise, travel, and exploring fine cuisine. He also supports educational causes through regular donations to his university foundation, reflecting his lifelong appreciation for learning and academic achievement.
Portfolio: https://drthomasgratzer.com
Thomas Gratzer Provides Smart Strategies for Effective Weight Management
Thomas Gratzer Highlights the Benefits of Meditation
Thomas Gratzer: Why Regular Exercise Is Essential for a Healthy Life
Thomas Gratzer on The Power of Nutrition