CANDIDATE FOR ECP TRUSTEE-AT-LARGE : Joyce Spurgeon, M.D.

As an early career psychiatrist, I realize that my journey into the field of psychiatry is still in its early phases; however, I am aware that many of the experiences I have had through APA have helped shape me into the psychiatrist that I am today.

Advocacy for our patients and our profession is a core part of that identity. This is true not only because of the stigma attached to mental illness, but also because we represent a group of patients and their families who cannot always speak for themselves. Also, when APA advocates for the profession of psychiatry, it does something that none of us could do individually. As we face a world with questions of scope of practice, Medicare reimbursement issues, and treatment of our mentally traumatized returning veterans, the profession of psychiatry needs advocates as well.

I have had the privilege of being elected as a member of the Assembly for two years as an MIT and three years as an ECP. It was an honor to receive the Area 5 William Sorum Award as an MIT. These experiences have helped me gain a broad perspective about our Association and the field of psychiatry on a larger scale. This has included, in particular in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, an understanding of the critically important role of APA supporting the disaster relief work that continues to be a part of everyday life for the psychiatrists in those areas. I also participated in the development of a women's forum in Area 5 which focused on women in psychiatry across the lifespan of our careers. I have been gratified that my efforts have also enabled me to work with my colleagues in the Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association, where I have had the opportunity to serve in various ways as a member of the executive council. In these and other experiences, I have developed a working knowledge of how to get things done with in APA on a national, regional, and local level and have developed personal and professional relationships which will last a lifetime.

My faculty position at the University of Louisville also offers me the opportunity to serve the profession of psychiatry by working hard to train the next generation of physicians and psychiatrists. I serve as the associate training director for the adult residency training program and the director of our developing women's mental health center. In these roles, I not only have gained administrative skills which I use in my APA work, but also have the opportunity to recruit the next generation of APA members. I enjoy the teaching aspect of my job, and I am also dedicated to my patients. My patients continue to inspire me to continue my APA work as I have seen first hand the need for even more advocacy efforts to gain more resources and a better organized system of mental health care for all patients.

I am asking for your vote for ECP trustee because I believe that I have a broad base of experience in both district branch and national APA activities which will allow me to hit the ground running. Early career psychiatrists represent the next generation in the ever-changing world of psychiatric care, and I have the drive and experience to both represent our views and work in an effective way within the system of APA. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward with great anticipation to contributing to the important missions of APA.