Alicia Muñoz, the immediate past president of the American Psychiatric Association Alliance, presented a special recognition award to the California Diversion Program of the Medical Board of California in April. The ceremony took place at the state capitol in Sacramento in conjunction with the California Medical Association’s Legislative Day.
Accepting the award was Joyce E. Hadnot, deputy executive director of the Medical Board of California. In attendance were Renée Binder, M.D., president-elect of the California Psychiatric Association, and Amanda Ruiz, M.D., and John Christianson, M.D., members of the California Psychiatric Association.
The award honors the California Diversion Program for continued support and promotion of the Elsa Barton Scholarship Fund, a program of the APA Alliance. The scholarship provides financial assistance to enable a spouse, partner, or dependent of a disabled, impaired, or deceased physician to continue or begin postsecondary education.
According to Cathy Tasman, chair of the Elsa Barton Scholarship, “Very often the spouse or partner of the ill physician must assume full financial responsibility for the family and needs additional education to obtain a higher income. At other times, a dependent who is a senior in high school planning to enter a university or is a college student already enrolled will find that the family is no longer able to provide financial support when the physician parent becomes impaired or disabled. It is hoped that the Elsa Barton Scholarship can provide some financial relief to these families to help a family member begin or continue his or her education during a difficult time.”
The Elsa Barton Scholarship Committee sends scholarship applications to all diversion programs and physician wellness programs in the United States, as well as other relevant organizations, hospitals, and medical schools, to reach potential candidates.
Muñoz, who is also president of the San Diego County Medical Society Alliance, said, “Unfortunately, there is still widespread stigma concerning mental illness, so it is often difficult to reach families who could benefit from our scholarship. During the last five years, the Elsa Barton Scholarship Committee has received more applications from the California Diversion Program than from any other source. Moreover, more scholarships have been awarded to family members of the California Diversion Program participants than from any other organization.
“We are extremely grateful to the California Diversion Program, operated by the Medical Board of California and a member of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, for helping us reach families who are trying to help themselves continue to be active, productive members of their communities during very difficult times for the whole family.”
More information about the Elsa Barton Scholarship is available from Tasman by phone at (502) 327-9057. ▪
