Candidate for President-Elect

Access to high-quality psychiatric care must be guaranteed for all, including special populations, such as those living in rural areas. True parity for mental health should be pursued through legislative initiatives, in alliances with advocacy groups. Universal health insurance is a goal that deserves our support. Confidentiality as a principle must be vigorously affirmed. Cultural sensitivity should be espoused, as we try to eradicate the stigma of mental illness and the disparities in mental health care.

A profound threat facing our profession is the pressure from clinical psychologists seeking to prescribe medications for our patients. They have already succeeded in New Mexico and keep targeting several states each year. APA has rightfully supported district branches in their fight on this issue. We need to maintain a constant vigil, and we can succeed in this area just as we have defeated this bill in many states. Psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to provide biological treatments as well as psychotherapy. Managed care has systematically eliminated our ability to provide psychotherapy for our patients. Psychotherapy is an integral part of our training and profession, and we must strive to keep it that way.

The leadership of APA has done well in accenting the shift from governance to advocacy. There is more to be accomplished. For example, leadership of APA should reflect the diversity of its members. Enhanced leadership and governance opportunities should be provided to minorities, international medical graduates, and early career psychiatrists. There should be strict accounting of dollars spent by our Association, with corresponding efforts to reduce dues and increase the membership. Leadership of APA must be sensitive to the concerns and needs of the members, while fostering partnerships with the AMA and medical subspecialty organizations so as to decrease expenses and maximize our collaborative impact on national health policy.

I have experience in administration, education, research, and practice in private and public settings. My private practice with adults and adolescents has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I have extensive knowledge of national and state health care policy developments. Thus, I appreciate the interests of our members working in all the sectors of psychiatry. As president of the Indo-American Psychiatric Association, I recruited numerous members and was instrumental in starting chapters across the country. My greatest strength has been in enhancing cooperation among various groups with differing ideologies, by facilitating communication and mutual respect. In each of the positions I have held, I have encouraged the involvement of leadership of APA in global psychiatry. As your president, I will provide dynamic leadership. I intend to encourage lasting and effective partnerships with all constituents and to work with them in achieving outstanding care for the citizens of this country, while promoting the highest values and standards for our profession.