Happy Retirement

The article “Accolades Accompany Retirement of Dedicated DB Leader” in the May 7 issue pays well-deserved tribute to Philip Workman, recently retired executive director of the Ohio Psychiatric Association (OPA). When OPA President Bernard Kuhr, M.D., proposed hiring a full-time executive director, many Ohio psychiatrists wondered what we would do with a full-time executive director and, equally important, whether we could afford one.

It was not long until we saw the results. Workman's personal skills and his know-how about Ohio's governance and legislative process enabled psychiatry's voice to be heard. During my years in Ohio, I participated as he organized the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Political Action Committee, developed coalitions with other mental health advocates, and contributed to Ohio's taking a leadership position among the 50 states. My hat is off to Phil, and he has my best wishes for a happy retirement.

I particularly noted the caricature of Phil playing golf on the State House lawn, which captured the essence of a dedicated mental health executive. But I wanted to see it more clearly. Recognizing the artistry of one of Ohio's incredibly talented artists, Roger Curley of Dublin, Ohio, I used his Web address at<http://rogercurley.com> to find the artwork. Kudos and credits to Roger Curley as well!