Candidate for Trustee-at-Large
About the Candidate
Distinguished Fellow (Member Since 1976)
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Professor/Chair, Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College, 1998- ; Einstein Healthcare Network, 1995-
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Chair, APA Council on Member and District Branch Relations, 2002-
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SAMHSA National Advisory Council, Center for Mental Health Services, 2003-
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APA Committee on Medical Student Education: Member, 1996-98; Chair, 1998-2002
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Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Committee for MH/MR, 1996- ; Chair, 2000-
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Pennsylvania District Branch: President, 1995-96; Assembly Representative, 1996-
Candidates’ Views
How can APA best respond to the needs of our patients and our members? I believe this question must remain central to all our deliberations within APA, whether at the Board, Assembly, components, or district branches.
APA is at a critical time in its history. We have restructured our administration and stemmed our financial losses. At the same time our interests as psychiatrists have become more diverse and regionalized. As the Board of Trustees of a professional organization, in collaboration with our members and district branches, we must articulate the highest values on behalf of our patients.
While our patients experience continued obstacles to accessing care, there is also unprecedented public interest in ensuring that psychiatric treatment is available across the age spectrum. The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health has reopened promise of serious attention to accessing care. We have much to be proud of in our field, but in order to be effective, we need to better align our national voice with local action.
Much of my experience within APA has been centered on building a better organization. This has included chairing the Membership Committee, the Committee on Administrative Psychiatry, the Ad Hoc Committee for Membership and Fiscal Planning, and now the Council on Member and District Branch Relations. I have served as president of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and its Philadelphia chapter. I currently serve as one of Pennsylvania’s representatives to the APA Assembly.
My priorities if elected trustee-at-large will be to
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Broaden APA political action so that patients receive care that respects privacy and choice. The doctor/patient relationship is one of our most powerful treatment tools. We must protect it from third-party intrusion.
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Coordinate our national and state forces to fight scope of practice legislation that will endanger our patients.
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Expand educational support and career development for medical students, residents, and early career psychiatrists. Our newest members are the future of our profession. We have promising national models that foster career development. These models need to be expanded to reach members within each district branch.
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Lobby for expansion of basic and clinical research funding. Research as a career choice in psychiatry has declined. Excellent research proposals go without funding. Through our Academic Consortium we must continue to advocate for expanded funding, with incentives for young investigators who hope to develop careers in research.
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Forge partnerships with allied organizations to stop the erosion of state and federal programs. We need to collaborate with organizations that represent psychiatric specialty interests, as well as groups representing patients and their families.
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Engage our senior members to help us bridge the gap between our past accomplishments and our future.
I am prepared to serve as a strong and positive voice on our Board. Our membership is our strength. I would be honored to serve as your trustee.
Primary Loci of Work and Sources of Income
Work:
50%—Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia
50%—Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Belmont Behavioral Health, Philadelphia
Income:
50%—Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson University Physicians Practice
50%—Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Information & Authors
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History
Published online: 5 December 2003
Published in print: December 5, 2003
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