Psychiatr News December 2, 2005
Volume 40, Number 23, page 27
© 2005 American Psychiatric Association
INFORMATION ON THE CANDIDATES
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CANDIDATES FOR AREA 4 TRUSTEE
Sidney H. Weissman M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and
Director of Psychiatric Residency Training, Northwestern University Medical
School, 2002-
Distinguished Life Fellow (Member Since 1971)
Area 4 Trustee, APA Board of Trustees, 2003-
President, Illinois Psychiatric Society, 1998-99
President, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency
Training, 1991-92
Faculty, Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, 2002-
Member, State of Illinois Mental Health Planning Board, 2003-
For the past three years I have had the honor and privilege to serve you as
Area 4 trustee. In this role I have used my diverse experiences to ensure that
APA effectively addresses the issues that confront psychiatry. The unique role
of psychiatry in the life of our nation has been amply demonstrated in the
aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Psychiatric issues affect everyone
in times of disaster. Yet the disaster also highlights the vulnerability of
mental health funding, which also impacts on all of us. Ensuring that the
nation's mental health needs are adequately funded in the coming years is a
burden that psychiatric leaders will probably always have to carry,
particularly in light of the recent hurricanes.
The core issues that psychiatry must address have not appreciably changed
in the past year. They continue to be the following:
1. A need to reassess member and APA engagement with the pharmaceutical
industry.
In light of major changes in this industry we need to reexamine APA's
relationship with industry and provide new guidance to our members in dealing
with the drug industry.
2. A need to reaffirm APA as the major professional advocate for
individuals and their families suffering from mental illness.
In light of prior major erosion in the public and private sector funding
for the treatment of mental illness, APA must be the lead organization in
reversing this trend. APA and state societies must ensure psychiatrists'
ability to practice and prescribe without government interference.
3. A need to ensure an operational definition of psychiatric practice
that addresses biologic and psychological aspects of behavior in a social
context that makes it clear that psychologist prescriptive authority is not in
society's best interest.
We must prevent a narrow reductionism from defining our work as we
integrate the advances in science from the Decade of the Brain.
Finally we must reaffirm a new working relationship between APA and its
district branches that acknowledges each one's unique contributions. We must
develop new ways for APA to interact with its district branches as we enter an
era where many critical issues of psychiatry will be dealt with at the state
level.
Leadership
All of you are more than aware of the numerous issues that confront
psychiatry. A review of the position statements written by most candidates
reveals that they generally agree on what confronts our field. The differences
are in leadership and each candidate's experiences. A review of my work
throughout my career will reveal that in many varied positions I have
addressed critical issues with positive affirmative actions. I have
demonstrated the leadership capacity to move APA and its district branches
forward.
Reelect Sidney Weissman, M.D., Area 4 Trustee to ensure a strong,
effective APA.
PRIMARY PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SOURCES OF INCOME
Professional Activities
55%—Professor of psychiatry and director of psychiatric residency
training
40%—Private practice
5%—VHA
Income
55%—Northwestern University School of Medicine
45%—Private practice
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