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Candidate for Member-in-Training Trustee-Elect

About the Candidate

William C. Wood, M.D.

Member-in-Training, 1997

• Psychiatry Resident, Massachusetts General and McLean Hospitals, 2001-
  
• Resident Representative, Massachusetts General Hospital Executive Committee on Training and Education, 2002-
  
• APA/Janssen Institute on Psychiatric Services Travel Scholar, 2001
  
• Co-Leader, UCSF Homeless Clinic Men’s Support Group, 1996-2001
  
• Fulbright Scholar, Chilean Public Health Service, 1994-95
  
• Health and Education Economist (Latin America), The World Bank, 1991-93
  

Candidate’s Views

We face many challenges as we care for our patients in an era of declining resources and growing demand for our services. Managed care and excessive service requirements are drastically affecting our ability to maintain the best possible training environment for residents as well as undermining our capacity to provide optimal care for patients. Reimbursement, service needs, patient care, and resident learning are not mutually exclusive. They require our comprehensive attention and action. We need the continued advocacy of APA for resident education to benefit our patients and the future of psychiatry.

In seeking the position of MIT trustee-elect, I ask for your support and your vote to pursue the following objectives:

• APA-sponsored mentorship programs to connect psychiatry residents and medical students with seasoned experts.
  
• APA-sponsored forums for residents and faculty to develop teaching and supervision skills.
  
• APA-sponsored resident advising to medical students.
  
• Guidelines and requirements that limit resident work hours and emphasize learning needs.
  
• Collaboration with residency training directors (AADPRT) and department chairs to ensure that departments allocate sufficient resources to meet training program needs.
  
• Legislated parity to end discrimination in the reimbursement of mental health care.
  
• Reform to end discriminatory practices in utilization review and service approval for mental health treatment.
  
• Public education to enhance the prevention and treatment of mental illness and lessen the stigma felt by patients.
  
• Initiatives to promote cultural competencies and gender awareness in psychiatric training and service provision.
  
• Protection of patient confidentiality.
  
• Opposition to psychologist prescribing privileges.
  
• Fiscal responsibility to ensure balance in the APA budget.
  

My background: In the early 1990s I worked as a health and education economist for programs in Latin America while on staff at the World Bank. I loved working on international health policy, but the intensity of this work left almost no time for community volunteerism and direct service. This created a void for me and led to a re-evaluation of my circumstances and priorities. I returned to grass-roots service, working in community clinics in Chile on a Fulbright Scholarship while applying to medical school. I attended UCSF for my medical degree and completed my internship at the county hospital in Oakland, Calif. Currently, I am a third-year resident in the MGH/McLean psychiatry program. Additional past experiences include co-leading a homeless men’s support group throughout medical school, translating for doctors in Latino clinics, screening for mental health problems among kids in community pediatric clinics, and volunteering as an EMT with the local ambulance service.

I would be very privileged and honored to represent you on APA’s Board of Trustees. If I can clarify my views or you would like to share your perspectives, please e-mail me at bill_wood{at}earthlink.net. I welcome your questions and input.

Primary Loci of Work and Sources of Income

Work:

    50%—Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass.

    50%—McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass.

Income:

    100%—MGH/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program

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