Candidate for Area 2 Trustee

Fellow, 1977

We knew we were living in uncertain times. Until September 11 we had no idea how true this really was. In communicating why I should be elected Area 2 trustee, without sounding like just one more candidate going yada-yada-yada, it is harder to anticipate the future. This underscores that now more than ever, we must have effective, experienced leadership to map our future plans, respond to the unpredictable, and deliver results.

APA is engaged in a delicate balancing act, like a seesaw tottering precariously. We have borrowed from the MCOs we revile “to do more with less.” This is a magic act that cannot continue indefinitely. We must focus carefully, not “throw the baby out with the bathwater,” or we will accomplish little. With our budget cuts we cannot afford to eliminate the very foundations of our existence. We must reverse the progressive attrition in membership to survive and thrive as an organization and profession. We must reach out to meet members’ needs. Do members leave because dues are too high, or because they perceive insufficient VALUE for these dues? And perception is reality.

APA has begun change, cutbacks, and (shudder) downsizing. But we have also resisted progress. While examining our revenue streams, we must address our increasing dependency on the pharmaceutical industry. Could you unabashedly escort outsiders through industry events and exhibits at our annual meetings?

New York state did not fare entirely well with dues re-allocation from APA, despite valiant efforts by NYSPA leadership. There are also APA factions that have wanted our numerous NY state DBs combined. But New York’s DBs are the closest links to the grass-roots in a large, diverse state. Each New York DB deserves to continue and to thrive, with APA support. We must reverse the disconnection between members and leadership.

We must address managed care and scope of practice, especially via legislation. We must support MITs, ECPs, IMGs, and minority members. As our country is experiencing renewed patriotism, we must ensure support for IMGs during these sensitive times. Unfortunately, we may soon be demonstrating that a system depleted by draconian managed care and public funding cuts may have difficulty responding to a crisis.

As psychiatrists we take pride in our communication skills, but APA has not been consistently effective in communication. Although APA has accomplished much, we must accomplish more. We must improve communication, be yet more effective, focused, and “lean.” We must better utilize technology and help support all members to be facile with this.

Can I deliver as your trustee? I have worked in diverse areas of psychiatry, including hospital administration and practice, the public sector, agencies, academics, research, teaching, and full-time private practice. I have worked closely with our coalition partners, striving for parity, confidentiality, and other vital issues. I have been a Mental Health Association vice president and received the NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. I have lived and worked throughout the state including Buffalo, Long Island, metropolitan NYC, Putnam, Rochester, and Westchester. I am experienced in the economics of psychiatry and health care.

I can represent the interests of ALL of New York state psychiatry, and maintain open communication channels to ensure this is not merely braggadocio. I am highly active in APA, highly familiar with our organization, and, to use a politically incorrect term, its politics. I can effectively address your priorities. And obtain results. I am honored to be a candidate to serve as your trustee.