Arce Recognized for Accomplishments As Psychiatric Administrator

A leading clinician, executive, researcher, and author in the field of psychiatric administration has received a prestigious award for his achievements. At the APA Institute on Psychiatric Services in Philadelphia in October, A. Anthony Arce, M.D., was presented with the Association’s 2000 Administrative Psychiatry Award in recognition of his accomplishments as a psychiatric administrator.

The annual award is sponsored jointly by APA and the American Association of Psychiatric Administrators (AAPA). The award comes with a special lectureship, and Arce spoke on the topic “The Psychiatrist Executive in the Public Sector: Clinician, Administrator, Leader, Follower.”

Arce did not have to journey far to accept his award. He is the chair of the department of behavioral medicine of the North Philadelphia Health System, an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and a consulting psychiatrist to the Philadelphia Department of Health. He is also a life fellow of APA, a fellow of the American College of Mental Health Administrators, and a former AAPA president. He has an extensive bibliography to his credit, and many of his publications, lectures, and presentations focus on community mental health and cross-cultural aspects of diagnosis and treatment, particularly concerning Hispanic patients.

The Administrative Psychiatry Award, first presented in 1982, is bestowed on a psychiatrist who has demonstrated extraordinary competence in psychiatric administration over a substantial period of time. The recipient must have directed a comprehensive program for the care of patients with mental illness and contributed significantly to the field of psychiatric administration through activities such as teaching and research.

In presenting the award to Arce, Michael Vergare, M.D., chair of APA’s Committee on Medical Student Education, commented, “Dr. Arce was chosen for this award because of his superb reputation as an administrator. He has also mentored many of us over the span of his career and has inspired me and many others to go into psychiatric administration.” ▪